dagblog - Comments for "President Obama and This Generation’s “Sputnik Moment”"

We removed the engine when

cmaukonen — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:03:31 +0000

In reply to President Obama and This Generation’s “Sputnik Moment”

We removed the engine when business became more interested in quarterly [profits than in innovation. When business began selling off rather than upgrading it's parts for short term gain.

When Wall Street started calling all the shots.

Robert Reich weighed in on

NCD — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:20:31 +0000

In reply to President Obama and This Generation’s “Sputnik Moment”

Robert Reich weighed in on the Obama speech:

...And by embracing deficit reduction while agreeing to $900 billion in tax breaks — the lion’s share for the rich — he’s making education and infrastructure spending sitting ducks for a Republican congress intent on shrinking the size of government.

The states — many of them broke — are still firing teachers, doing away with pre-school programs, and raising tuitions and fees at public universities. And now that the stimulus is about over, there won’t be any more money to rehabilitate the roads, bridges, sewers, and energy systems that are still falling apart all over America.

“We can win the competition,” the President said, Monday. His words were inspiring. But his deed that day, approving a tax deal that continues George W. Bush’s fiscal policies, makes that goal harder to achieve.

The problem I have

Beetlejuice — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:04:44 +0000

In reply to President Obama and This Generation’s “Sputnik Moment”

The problem I have encountered over the years is business does not want to invest in their people...they'd rather hire someone who already has the skills they require even if that requires a visa.

Another issues is the certification craze. If you aren't certified, your application is tossed, yet these same companies offer educational programs don't support the certification process...only high school/GED, bachelor, master or doctorate degrees.

In other words, one is expected to master the fundamentals of a job on one's own even though access is restricted to those who are already within the system. Kind a hard to get certified on satellite communications if you can't get access to the specific equipment an employer is looking for someone to fill.

To be successful today, one needs hands-on experience with the equipment employers are using. Chances of getting hired without are slim and none.

So if the US wants to be as competitive with the rest of the world, then the business sector needs to pick up the education tab for their employees and give them the chance to succeed on equal terms with those foreigners on work visas.

Removing the engine. Great

Richard Day — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 04:38:46 +0000

In reply to President Obama and This Generation’s “Sputnik Moment”

Removing the engine. Great metaphorical power in your language. Well done!!