In a tough economy, building a bank account trumps building a resume. The catch is, jobs are scarce. When competition for spots at top universities increased, summer break became a way for students to burnish their resumes with foreign travel, community service and other enrichment activities.

Retiring Mayor Richard Daley on Thursday contended America is a "country of whiners" that's spent the last four decades fearing the impact of foreign governments on the nation's economy instead of showing the confidence and sacrifice to lead on a global stage.