Stagnant scientific education imperils U.S. economic leadership, says a report by leading business and science figures.
Released Thursday at a congressional briefing attended by senators and Congress members of both parties, the report updates a 2005 science education report that led to moves to double federal research funding.
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We're 48th! USA! USA! /shameful
Who is going to read it to the congress persons and senators?
If you are familiar with the history of the East Bloc countries, you will know that control was more important for the rulers than creating an efficient economy or infrastructure. We are seeing something similar here.
Education is costly, and thus competes with projects that directly favour various lobby groups. You cannot cut taxes, fund pork-barrel projects and simultaneously invest more in education.
The politicians understand well that poor science education do long-term harm, but RIGHT NOW they need to cut taxes. Likewise, the 200,000 structurally obsolete bridges will not collapse during the current fiscal year, so there is little incentive to invest in maintenance.
Regulation of banks will prevent a new depression, but that is a problem for the future. Right now, a useful level of regulation of the banking system is ideologically unsound.
The people who make these bad decisions are highly intelligent and well-educated, but they are "politruks" who will not consider any heresy, nor consider long-term problems. We are dealing with institutionalised dysfunction, not a random group of idiots.
Despite a rise in the savings ratio, the US consumer is still heavily indebted. Banks are still dealing with bad loans from the mortgage and credit crisis.The production sector has been in the lead as the United States economy climbs out of the recession. I found this here: U.S. manufacturing index keeps expanding, but obstacles lie ahead For the 19th consecutive month, production in the U.S. expanded-this time at the fastest pace since 2004. Continued production growth is in the forecast because orders are outstripping inventories, however the sector must overcome looming inflationary pressures.