commerce, education, and the -- what's the third one there? >> department of energy. you know, we've all lost our train of thought before, but not many have done it on national tv. and if you want a slick debater, i'm obviously not your guy, but if you want a clean house in washington with a balanced budget amendment, a flat tax, and a part-time congress, i'm your man. i'm rick perry at -- what's that line again? i'm rick perry, and i approve this message. >> okay. welcome back to "morning joe." look at that pretty shot. plane taking off. we've got mark haleprin and michael steele still with us in washington. and joining the table, "new york times" foreign affairs columnist thomas friedman. he's the co-author of "that used to be us." how america fell behind in the world and how we can come back.