[Minus_The_Bear]

You can't eat ideas.

Most young Americans don't respect copyright or intellectual property rights.

Nations without manufacturing bases cannot thrive.

[Uncle Miltie]

"You can't eat ideas."

Yes, you can effectively eat ideas. See above.

[Uncle Miltie]

Nations without large standing armies cannot thrive. Japan.

Nations without agricultural bases cannot thrive. Singapore.

Nations without vast colonies cannot thrive. United States.

Nations without large navies cannot thrive. Germany.

"Nations without manufacturing bases cannot thrive." Not yet disproved.