Obama says that "none of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be or where the new jobs will come from." And by "none of us," he means you. Because Obama proceeded to give a speech that laid out exactly what needs innovating, which sectors will be innovative, where new jobs will be found and how we are going to get to those jobs. Can you say high-speed rail? The president can. He mentioned railroads six times, because how else are we going to win the 19th century back?
Actually, this fixation with building an extraordinarily expensive, outdated and tax-funded rail system is a great example of why central planning undermines progress.
By the time the president's promise of high-speed Internet for everyone comes to fruition, we'll probably be teleporting like Sulu. But at the very least, let's not re-fight the battles of the early 20th century. Someone already invented airplanes and cars, which, unlike trains, can be pointed in any direction we want, whenever we want, as often as we want.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/01/28/who_are_we_in_this_sputnik_moment_108698.html
I am glad not to be in the President's shoes. I'd have to stand up there and say I know what to do, and that I can direct that it be done, but neither thing would be true. Sad, ugly, and for me, humiliating. Perhaps the President really thinks that he knows these answers - ?
Yes, the Soviets were the first to send junk and animals into space -- a race they lost in impressive fashion when it was all over. But were we really ever "behind"?
Of course not. The Soviet Union's intense effort to erect a facade of accomplishment was achieved by investing in an unnecessary, costly, symbolic, ideology-driven project that did nothing for the aspirations of its citizens or its stagnant, dying economy.
Let's be sure we're not on the wrong side of the Sputnik moment.
Actually, this fixation with building an extraordinarily expensive, outdated and tax-funded rail system is a great example of why central planning undermines progress.
By the time the president's promise of high-speed Internet for everyone comes to fruition, we'll probably be teleporting like Sulu. But at the very least, let's not re-fight the battles of the early 20th century. Someone already invented airplanes and cars, which, unlike trains, can be pointed in any direction we want, whenever we want, as often as we want.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/01/28/who_are_we_in_this_sputnik_moment_108698.html
I am glad not to be in the President's shoes. I'd have to stand up there and say I know what to do, and that I can direct that it be done, but neither thing would be true. Sad, ugly, and for me, humiliating. Perhaps the President really thinks that he knows these answers - ?
Yes, the Soviets were the first to send junk and animals into space -- a race they lost in impressive fashion when it was all over. But were we really ever "behind"?
Of course not. The Soviet Union's intense effort to erect a facade of accomplishment was achieved by investing in an unnecessary, costly, symbolic, ideology-driven project that did nothing for the aspirations of its citizens or its stagnant, dying economy.
Let's be sure we're not on the wrong side of the Sputnik moment.
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