Ronny Chieng Says America Is Failing—Here’s What We Actually Need to Do
A Response to Chieng’s Critique on Trade, Education, Energy, and National Security
Recently, I watched a video of Ronny Chieng delivering a sharp, humorous critique of America’s economic and social struggles. While packed with satire, his points on education, manufacturing, trade, energy, and wealth inequality raised an important question:
How do we actually fix America’s problems?
Chieng argued that America isn’t doing so great, citing declining math and science scores, a widening wealth gap, manufacturing job losses, and resistance to taxation. He also mocked a certain brand of patriotism—those who say they’d “die for America” but won’t do what’s necessary to make the country competitive, like investing in education and innovation.
That made me step back and ask: Are these problems real? If so, how should we address them? And how does the MAGA movement—which claims to be all about restoring American greatness—compare in terms of real policy solutions?
Analyzing the Problems
After looking deeper, I found that Chieng wasn’t entirely wrong—America does face major economic and social challenges. However, the solution isn’t more government intervention—it’s unleashing America’s economic power, prioritizing national sovereignty, and cutting wasteful spending.
1. Education Decline & Workforce Readiness
Math and science scores in the U.S. have fallen behind other developed nations.
The education system is bloated with bureaucracy, but school choice and vocational training have been neglected.
STEM and trade skills are in demand, but the current education system isn’t producing enough qualified graduates.
Teacher shortages and lack of competitive pay in STEM fields have made it difficult to recruit high-quality educators.
2. Manufacturing & Trade Policy
The U.S. lost millions of manufacturing jobs, but it wasn’t just because of trade deals—it was also automation, global competition, and corporate outsourcing.
A strong U.S. dollar has made manufacturing less competitive.
America relies too heavily on China for key industries like semiconductors, medicine, and defense technology.
Short-term tariff costs on consumers must be addressed with a transition strategy.
3. Wealth Inequality, Taxes & Government Waste
Corporate tax cuts boosted economic growth, but many large companies still offshore profits and jobs.
The real problem isn’t that Americans are taxed too little—it’s that government spends too much.
Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is an attempt to cut waste, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.
Government spending cuts need to be clearly defined and targeted to avoid economic disruptions.
4. Energy Dependence & Inflation
America should be energy independent, yet government regulations have restricted domestic oil, natural gas, and nuclear development.
Energy costs drive inflation, and relying on foreign oil weakens national security.
Nuclear energy should be a bigger part of the discussion, as it is the most scalable, efficient, and clean energy source.
5. National Security & Foreign Policy Risks
China is not just an economic competitor—it’s a geopolitical threat.
Cybersecurity, AI, and defense investments are necessary to maintain U.S. dominance.
America’s economic strength is directly tied to national security—we need stronger domestic supply chains for critical industries like semiconductors, energy, and military technology.
A Smart, America First Strategy to Fix These Issues
So, what should America actually do? If we want to make America great again in action—not just in slogans—here’s the blueprint.
1. Fix the Education System—Through School Choice, STEM, and Teacher Reform
MAGA’s push to return education to the states is the right move, but it’s not enough by itself. We need to focus on real reforms that improve student outcomes and workforce readiness.
✅ Expand school choice—Parents should be able to send their kids to schools that work, not be trapped in failing districts.
✅ Redirect education funding to trade schools and apprenticeships, rather than forcing students into unnecessary college degrees.
✅ Require curriculum reform—schools should emphasize STEM, civics, and vocational skills that prepare students for real jobs.
✅ Improve teacher recruitment and retention—offer competitive salaries and performance-based pay for STEM teachers.
2. Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing—Through Economic Nationalism, Not Just Tariffs
Bringing manufacturing back to America requires more than just tax cuts—it requires an America First trade and energy policy.
✅ Expand tariffs on key industries like steel, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals to protect American workers.
✅ Use tax cuts to reward companies that onshore jobs—but hold them accountable if they don’t follow through.
✅ Reduce dependency on China by investing in domestic supply chains and cutting regulations that make U.S. production more expensive.
✅ Pair tariffs with tax incentives and domestic manufacturing investments to minimize short-term consumer cost increases.
3. Cut Taxes, But Also Cut Specific Government Spending
✅ Make Trump’s tax cuts permanent to keep the economy growing.
✅ Eliminate corporate tax loopholes that allow big companies to offshore profits.
✅ Cut federal spending, balance the budget, and reduce the national debt—DOGE must be fully empowered to tackle bloated agencies.
✅ Identify specific spending cuts, including eliminating redundant federal agencies, reducing unnecessary foreign aid, and restructuring welfare programs toward work-based incentives.
4. Achieve Energy Independence—With a Strong Focus on Nuclear
✅ Expand domestic oil, natural gas, and nuclear power to lower costs and create high-paying jobs.
✅ Reverse anti-energy regulations that restrict drilling and pipeline development.
✅ Make America a net energy exporter, reducing reliance on Middle Eastern oil.
✅ Invest in nuclear power as a long-term energy solution, cutting red tape on new reactor development.
5. Strengthen National Security Through Economic Power
✅ Expand cybersecurity funding and AI research to counter China’s growing tech dominance.
✅ Strengthen U.S. defense manufacturing to ensure we aren’t dependent on foreign supply chains for military technology.
✅ Invest in next-generation warfare capabilities—cyber defense, space security, and AI-driven military strategy.
✅ Use trade and financial leverage to challenge China’s global influence—America First isn’t just about economics, it’s about global strategy.
The Bottom Line: America Needs Smart, Bold, Conservative Policy
Ronny Chieng’s critique, while exaggerated, pointed to real issues. But his solutions—more government spending, higher taxes, and vague calls for "education improvement"—miss the mark.
The right approach isn’t big government—it’s bold, free-market, America First policies that:
✅ Strengthen education through school choice, STEM reform, and better teacher pay in key fields.
✅ Bring manufacturing back through smart tariffs, trade policies, and supply chain incentives.
✅ Keep taxes low while cutting government waste—with clearly defined spending reductions.
✅ Expand nuclear and domestic energy production to lower costs and fuel economic growth.
✅ Ensure national security through economic strength, technological dominance, and supply chain independence.
MAGA is on the right track—but execution will be everything.
Economic nationalism and conservative policy must be combined with a realistic, step-by-step strategy that ensures long-term success without unintended consequences.
🔹 Trade policy must balance tariffs with domestic industry incentives.
🔹 Nuclear power is essential for energy dominance.
🔹 Education reform needs a serious teacher recruitment strategy.
🔹 Spending cuts must be targeted and politically feasible.
🔹 America First isn’t just about economics—it’s about securing our global leadership.