That means the big question for Congress to consider should be how to ensure that our immigration system helps North American competitiveness and prosperity, and how the U.S. can attract the workers -- including Mexicans-- it will need.

CNN: Immigration reform gets U.S. in on Mexico's boom

There are three issues that Europe is trying to struggle with at once: competitiveness, the banking system and sovereign debt.

WSJ: World Bank President Shares Thoughts on Europe's Debt Crisis

Our entitlement programs will bankrupt the next generation if this generation chooses not to act, and our tax system limits our economic growth and our global competitiveness.

CNN: Thompson's November 13, 2007, speech to The Citadel

Mr Premji believes that the most important thing India can do to maintain its global competitiveness is to improve its education system, which he says is failing women.

BBC: Azim Premji, CEO Wipro

The Jobs Council released a new report in advance of today's meeting that details recommendations to improve our nation's long-term competitiveness by investing in our education system, building on our strengths in manufacturing and energy, and reforming our regulatory and corporate tax systems.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House Blog: The President

Mr Hoban, in a statement to the Commons on 12 December 2011, pledged the coalition government would ensure there was a system of regulation that secured financial stability while protecting competitiveness, stating the financial sector would continue to be a critical part of the economy and recovery.

BBC: Democracy Live site links

This success is also a clear recognition of our expertise in system architecture and telecommunications in general, and also confirms our competitiveness and our leadership in the constellation market.

BBC: Huge order for Iridium spacecraft

For those focused on improving the competitiveness of the U.S. entrepreneurial economy by fixing our high-skilled immigration system, this is a moment.

FORBES: The Time Is Now To Fix Rules On High-Skilled Immigration

Although German industrialists and economists now fret that too much harmony boosts wages and blunts competitiveness, the two main parties seem convinced that their electoral fortunes depend on staying with the familiar system.

ECONOMIST: Germany

Other countries have responded to a similar lack of competitiveness by lowering marginal-tax rates and scrapping tax breaks, broadening the tax base and simplifying the system.

ECONOMIST: The prospects for tax reform recede, unfortunately