As far as more optimal things go, the critics of my stance have a valid point. Alternatives are limited. But that does not mean they do not exist and it does not mean that they are even vastly different. I think that a model based on capitalism would be best for most countries including the US. However I also think that there should be more intervention in markets with regards to how they operate.

But then that's where you need to be careful, while intervention can prevent crises it is suboptimal on the smaller scale environments. I think that the united states needs to seriously consider both more protectionist policies and regulation in markets where competition has stagnated. One of the reasons it is so difficult to do this is that market tend to be as different as the countries that there are in. What works for one area and good might not work for another so there's no sweeping answer to all the questions. Rather, a thousand little ones.

Personally, I think we need to start with heavy industry. While it's true it is difficult for us to complete with the cheap unskilled labor of many countries I think markets exist both domestically and abroad for goods in different prices ranges.

The main implication of what I'm saying here, after you muddle through the inbetween, is that countries who do this would see the price of goods increase and level of employment increase. While a dollar would not stretch as far domestically it should not lose value internationally, and as it stands now it is important for America to keep the dollar trustworthy as a denomination to own debt in.