No, it's quite clear and simple.

You think this "Madison Avenue Runs The World" crap is new? I've heard about "Evil Consumerist America" all my adult life. When I was in college, it was things like electric toothbrushes that were the symbol of decadence. The deep contempt and envy was there back then, too. Particularly from students living off Daddy's money.

I'm assuming, as you look around your own home, that everything you see is an absolute necessity?

I like luxury. I've lived without it, and I can tell you, luxury sucks a whole lot less than no luxury. I like having three bathrooms, an icemaker, a dishwasher, more than one car, and four computers. I like being warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. And I pay for it.

In a few years, I will probably also really like my electric car, and as others copy them and build their own around the world, so will everyone else.

As for the U.S. contribution to the world, you knew what I meant. It's pretty obvious. It's not as near-unilateral as it was some decades back--places like Japan and a few others are certainly generating a lot of innovation nowadays (it's going to be a close race as to where I buy my electric car!)--but we're still at the head of the pack.

As for whether the contributions were profitable, maybe you still don't understand the concept of "trade."