One of the Reasons the U.S. isn't competitive

Yes. The 34 dollars for everything made in the U.S. compared to 2 dollars for everything made in China is true and there likely is not anything that the U.S. can do about that fact or globalization or countries that can make things even cheaper than China can.

However, there are some things that we Can do something about. For example, one of the problems I see is monopolistic companies here in the U.S. that though they are competitive worldwide, they also stifle growth and competition here in the U.S.

So, I would call these Paradox companies. They are Monopolistic because they could not compete globally if they weren't in today's world. But at the same time they destroy competition here in the U.S. for jobs, inventors and people with start up companies. Who are some of these companies?
They are household words for all of us. Exxon-Mobile, Chevron, Wallmart, Target, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, all the biggest names in the U.S.

So, let me repeat. What is good about them is international in nature and helps prevent them from being destroyed internationally. But, at the same time all these companies including Verizon, AT&T, etc. destroy local competition and ideas of Americans trying to get jobs and to compete for a livelihood.

When monopolies are allowed to run roughshod over the rights of American people for jobs and competition you have what we have now, an economy that looks more like the Great Depression than any time since then.

So, what is the solution? I think the solution is that America has to change to allow more ideas to flourish as economic solutions. If large corporations continue to be favored as having More rights than individuals to make a living here in the U.S. this problem will only continue.

I think a return to the Rugged individualism that I saw growing up in the 1950s that was a carry over from the 1800s and the settling of America we need to return to. Otherwise, our culture here in America will continue to flounder for 90% of Americans who will make (adjusted for inflation) less and less and less until our nation is completely full of Banana Republic status people with a 10% of corporate people and stockholders who are able to travel the world and live in style. Without more freedom of choice in regard to making a living a Banana Republic for the 90% is what we will have more nationwide. And unfortunately, with a 90% Banana Republic we will have a more dumbed down electorate who are not educated and not capable of the Critical thinking that sustains a democracy like we have had in place since 1776. And the real problem with this is what usually happens under those conditions: a Dictatorship where human rights are lost for a generation or more or longer.