Is the U.S. at a disadvantage?

Are we at a disadvantage economically because we are a democracy? Considering China, who i and many would regard as the second if not top economic power right now, is a authoritarian centralized government, and can do basically anything they want to their country without getting permission or going through a legislative process. In this country, it takes months to get bills through congress, and most of the time they get so watered down through the legislative process. It seems like we can't have a intelligent debate in this country because anytime we try to get something done, one political side opposes the idea and tries to kill it. Not to mention how much damage lobbyists do. What do ya think, is our democratic system our own worst enemy?