San
Francisco Chronicle: Two years ago, the National Academies
published the seminal study on U.S. competitiveness entitled
"Rising Above the Gathering Storm." The study identified major
shortcomings in U.S. investments in basic scientific research
as well as in math and science education for our youngsters.
The suggestions contained in this study were immediately picked
up by the Democratic House Leadership as their competitiveness
strategy and later by President Bush in his State of the Union
message under his American Competitiveness Initiative.
Legislation in the form of the America Competes Act was passed
in the House and Senate in 2007, and it appeared the United
States was finally going to move forward after years of neglect
to increase investment in math, science and basic research. All
parties agreed that our competitiveness in the 21st century was
at stake and we needed to act.
