If you look at history since the renaissance, the profit motive has been the driving force behind everything from exploration to science to music.

There are no guarantees in a free market. If the American automobile industry fails to compete effectively then they will go out of business. The profit motive is still there. American car companies are merely poor competitors. How about Toyota -- think they innovate and compete for the good of mankind?

Why did we get hit first? Because we share an ocean with Japan, Korea and China.