We are behind in cryptocurrency. I am biased towards it myself, but it is obvious that Europeans and others have recognized the future of money while we are mainly trying to regulate it out of existence. I think we are falling behind in software in many areas, I see a lot of foreign apps, foreign open source, etc
We are on the cusp of a new manufacturing and distribution revolution but still have the old retail model in place. Our biggest problem there is we have too much time and money to waste, the result is Apple stores and strip malls full of cheap crap. We should boycott Target but should never have gone there in the first place.
--and that's great because we want them to get to where we are now. Let's keep in mind the fact that America's great not because it's where it is, but because it's rapidly moving forward thru "here" and hopefully the rest of the world will continue to follow our leadership.
financial innovation particularly to broaden the markets beyond Wall St.
Sounds like you didn't get the memo. America's financial industry hasn't been on Wall St. for years (decades?). Everything's online and very fast moving; the few old-timers up to speed on this are folks being dragged screaming and kicking about how much they hate programmed trades and high-frequency exchanges. Not a problem, we're too busy creating wealth to bother listening to 'em.
distribution revolution but still have the old retail model
What, you want the village market bazaar? Camel caravans? They actually do still exist in very remote places but my buying/selling's mostly (again) on line. Hey guy, if you're not happy about the way things are just wait a moment and we'll see the on-line component referred to as 'the old model' and moron protectionists will demand tax-hikes to protect it.