President Obama said recently that America has lost its “competitive edge.” When I read this I thought: “Lost our competitive edge? Mr. President, I know you’re busy, but don’t you ever watch reality TV?” Each week, laggards are eliminated by vote of the participants, a winnowing process involving shifting voting cartels that in the business world would not survive Federal Trade Commission scrutiny.

Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” owed much to “Survivor” — the shows shared the same producer. In “The Apprentice,” participants competed for the opportunity to work for the Trump organization.