The United States doesn't have the people any more, to catch up with Chinese technology. The people who new how to do it are now retired, because it is not worth it to be an engineer only to be outsourced and downsized at every shareholder report quarter.
This generation does not care about national defense. Only if their "rights" are being violated.
Their minds are turning to mush with the MSM and hackneyed programming on cable. Additionally, when their brains are thoroughly mushy enough, the police state comes and molds it like clay. What else can happen while people are afraid to even argue with a cop about a traffic ticket?
If you DON'T believe that, I have some puricey marshland in Florida for sale.
No, what happens is the liberal education system comes in and molds their brain to think the federal government will provide everything for them, and that to argue otherwise makes you a racist or a bigot. Also, why would you argue with a law enforcement officer? That's why we have a court system. Sorry, but that cop is just doing their job. By the time they get to you in the course of their shift they might have dealt with a domestic dispute, wrestled with a disorderly drunk outside a bar or casino, and perhaps a drug overdose situation. So be nice to them. They have a thankless job.