Yes agreed: the US is the biggest challenge to the US.

But luckily it's an easy fix. All America has to do is this:

1) Put MORE money into NASA, and sciences.

2) Put more money into high-school level educational programs/courses related to computer science, robotics, IT, computer networking, and programming.

3) Put more money into high school level educational programs/courses including things like school-acting-plays, music, and awards for "Best Short Story by a High School student", or "Best Poetry..." etc...

4) Have a specialized stream for high school students who do NOT want to go to University or college, but instead wish to branch away from the traditional high-school education system, and instead focus on certification, such as plumbing, nursing, computer networking, mechanics, childhood care, etc...

The government should then HEAVILY subsidize those certification-education programs, as long as the student is not failing.

If this generates a boom of certified career professionals, then the government will MORE than get their money back through income-tax dollars, in terms of a booming vibrant economy, in which people have productive, decent paying careers.

5) Establish a SIMPLE universal medicare program, something along the lines of Canada's free medicare system, but with modifications.

This would allow simple/easy non-convoluted access to medicare for all (as well as preserving more expensive private medical services as well, for those willing to pay more for faster services in the private medical sector).

6) Invest in "critical" manufacturing facilities on American soil such as electronics, chip/microprocessor facilities, and space-craft aerospace facilities.

This will allow America to not have to depend upon foreign nations to manufacture critical technology needed for the survival and future flourishing of America.