"The economy, stupid," was a phrase in American politics widely used during Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H.W. Bush. It was coined by Democratic Party strategist James Carville. The phrase takes the form of the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. In order to keep the campaign on message, Carville hung a sign in Bill Clinton's Little Rock campaign headquarters with the following three points:

1. Change vs. more of the same
2. The economy, stupid
3. Don't forget health care.

Oh my, 15 years later, and just substitute "global economy" for economy, and it seems we've come full circle. Just take item number three. Today, General Motors claims that $1,500 of the cost of building a new car goes to employees' health insurance. Meanwhile, India's Tata Motors is building a $2,000 car. Toyota chose Canada as the place to build its RAV4. There, its health insurance costs are $0, and all employees have health coverage. It seems every aspect of doing business is under great stress, and companies are struggling with how to remain competitive in the brave new world of total global competition. All is changed, changed utterly.

Did you know?
With the opening up of China, India and the former Soviet Union, three billion new capitalists have entered the work force, triggering the most profound reorganization of the business world since the Industrial Revolution.

Did you know?
According to Andy Grove, Co-Founder, Intel and author of Only the Paranoid Survive, "Globalization will not only finish off what's left of American manufacturing, but will turn so-called knowledge workers, which were supposed to be America's competitive advantage, into just another global commodity." I'll say it again, Globalization is the greatest reorganization of the world since the Industrial Revolution.

Name this country.
Richest in the world; Largest military, Center of world business and finance, Strongest education system; World center of innovation and invention; Currency the world standard of value; Highest standard of living.

Take Nothing for Granted.
That country was Great Britain, in 1900.

Did you know?
Economists forecast that in 2050, China's GDP will be twice that of the U.S.

Did you know?
The number one English-speaking country in the world…is China.