Thanks for this very well crafted response (could actually feel my frustration subside as I read through your post). This is precisely the kind of sanity that is sorely lacking in today's pop-discourse.
Regarding obstacles to economic growth, a key factor was mostly omitted in the OP's analysis, regulatory capture. The result of large organizations failing to innovate and, instead, turning to regulators for legal protections from competition (e.g. startups). Lawrence Lessig has become an outspoken critic in favor of reforming lobbying rules[#]. In fact, I believe he mentioned that he came to embrace this cause after having several issues he cared about (i.e. net neutrality, copyright, etc.) defeated at the hands of monied interests.
Regarding obstacles to economic growth, a key factor was mostly omitted in the OP's analysis, regulatory capture. The result of large organizations failing to innovate and, instead, turning to regulators for legal protections from competition (e.g. startups). Lawrence Lessig has become an outspoken critic in favor of reforming lobbying rules[#]. In fact, I believe he mentioned that he came to embrace this cause after having several issues he cared about (i.e. net neutrality, copyright, etc.) defeated at the hands of monied interests.
[#] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic,_Lost