Could the Japanese step into the breach by filling the direct-investment gap in Asia and the dollar gap for the U.S.? Well, Japan has its own economic problems.

FORBES: Asia's Credit Squeeze

Rather, the enormous gap is the direct result of deliberate choices made by economic policy makers.

FORBES: How Austerity Is Failing in Eastern Europe In One Chart

Obama has consistently led Romney in direct donations, though the gap is narrowing.

NEWYORKER: Schmooze or Lose

The previous Conservative government, keen to deny opposition charges that the health gap was a direct result of growing income differentials, sought to blame diet and lifestyles.

ECONOMIST: Health

What really matters to create a new clean energy economy and stimulate private investment in the near-term are policy regimes that employ direct and targeted public investments to cover the cost gap between higher-cost clean energy and fossil fuels.

FORBES: Cap And Trade Wasn't The Answer

On the heels of a recession and devastating earthquake, his youth-oriented apparel retailer, Uniqlo, is in major expansion mode in what looks like a direct challenge to U.S. clothing sellers like Zara and the Gap.

FORBES: Magazine Article

If, for example, the Gap is having a back-to-school sale, it could direct customers to the domain name BackToSchool.

FORBES: What Retail Brands Need To Know About New Top-Level Domains

Yet there is clearly a huge opportunity, given the gap between the quality of Internet access most Americans enjoy at work (through high-speed direct connections) and at home (through a copper telephone wire).

ECONOMIST: Cable television