USA is still a role model on many areas: cultural, economic, military, etc. It was never a moral role model, although that didn't deter the government of boasting about it anyway.
US debt on 6th of March 2000 was 5.7 trillions. [0] Today it is 20.8 trillions.
And what USA has to show for the mere 15 trillions of debt?
Affordable healthcare? Free education? Absence of homeless population? Shiny new infrastructure? Thousands of kilometers of speed-rails connecting major cities?
Role model. You guys are delusional. Let me tell you something like non-american. The whole world looks at you with sheer amusement.
[0] https://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/debt/current
PS: The only economic achievement I can list is that US elites have managed to alienate with their policies half of the country, so that half decided to give country a try with some real estate tycoon who enjoys to bang pornstars in his free time. Quite an achievement indeed. 15 trillions well spent.
And in 2012: "The Untold Story Of How Clinton's Budget Destroyed The American Economy" http://www.businessinsider.com/how-bill-clintons-balanced-bu...