Tracking America's Journey

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Demographers believe that we'll reach 400 million in about 40 years. That has implications for how we create a sustainable democracy. In America, we have always done Big well--big cars, big screens, Big Macs; we're the supersize nation. But now we are being challenged to trade Big for Smart. Developers are building greener buildings, scientists talk of a 100-m.p.g. car, Wal-Mart is testing the use of solar panels. We need to continue growing but in smarter and more sustainable ways. That's how everyone, as Whitman said, can write a verse in the poem of democracy.

Richard Stengel, Managing Editor

Quotes of the Day »

President BARACK OBAMA, at NATO talks involving over 50 world leaders, describing the withdrawal of 130,000 combat troops from Afghanistan, planned for the end of 2014
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