China not only has more shoes, it is the world largest producer of shoes. How did The United States let this crucial industry, on which modern economies must stand, escape from its grasp?A better question might be who cares.  The number of shoes is not a good indicator of national power.  In fact, no single technology is a good indicator of national power.  The U.S. economy is vast, decentralized, continental in size, and is guided by actively competitive markets. It has been exceptionally innov...