Anime's strengths are evident; diverse genres, more experimental/esoteric subjects, LGBT friendly animations, etc. It's weaknesses can be just as evident, like its ability to get stuck in trends (like the Moe trend that's going on right now).
Western Animation is kind of the exact opposite. Aside from exceptions like; Aeon Flux, Adventure Time, and Avatar, most US/Western stuff tends to be more "safe" or nothing more than an advert.
Some of the best animation right now is coming from the art schools, but those students eventually graduate and become more of the "mindless masses" in the animation industry.
[video=youtube;bAQ56_dfOfY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAQ56_dfOfY[/video]