And if your interested in the competiveness of American Business on a global scale, look no further than Health Care costs. 15% of GDP currently in the US(the Japanese spend proportionately 1/2 of what we do and live longer). Rising at twice the rate of inflation. The fastest growing employee cost for most employers.
So what about a Health Care plan? You say you don't want to pay for Universal Healt Care? You already ARE! Everytime an uninsured, or underinsured person goes to the ER, you foot the bill. Not directly, but in the increased rates you pay for insurance. So either eliminate the service requirement for hospitals - and allow then to turn away people who can't pay (how very French!), or provide health care for all, at least on a catastrophic basis.