It should also not surprise people that the National Academy of Science is saying:
The unmatched vitality of the United States' economy and science and technology enterprise has made this country a world leader for decades, allowing Americans to benefit from a high standard of living and national security. But in a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in these areas so that the nation will consistently gain from the opportunities offered by rapid globalization...
Why is this not a surprise? Well, I believe there are many answers to this. There are differences in the cost of doing business, when compared to other countries, so that manufacturing and the engineering jobs that go with it are moving offshore. There are differences in standards of living such that poorer countries see, correctly, that an advanced degree will increase their standard of living.
But mixed into this is the anti-science, anti-rational thought, conservatives. These conservatives exalt faith and denigrate science. Hence, it should not be a surprise that the US federal government is diverting funds to faith-based education and away from science. Away from critical areas such as stem cell research and STD disease prevention/cure to proving that the Earth is really 6,000 years old.
Aloha!
