Will the lack of tradesmen be America's downfall?

It will be one of the reasons although not all of it.

I think I've made my feelings on this topic clear over time, but in case anyone missed it;
("You must go to college or you're a failure in life!")

The problem with blue collar where I live is that no one wants to work for the pay but the pay in the trades is good...some young folks want to start out as a team or a crew lead...what they need to do is learn the way it works...learn a trade, start out on the crew, master your craft then move up...they all want to start out where mom and dad are now not realizing it took mom and dad many years to get to that point...until we change that mindset somewhat I think we will be in a decline. I tell young kids today to go to a trade school and learn a craft and you will be successful...think long and hard about 4 year college and what it will do for you...unless you want to be an engineer, lawyer, doctor, nurse, dentist etc, college isn't gonna do you much good IMHO.