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The United States has led the world in scientific research, development and innovation for three generations. Scientific discoveries, in partnership with technological innovation, initiate new developments that directly affect our daily lives. They affect our jobs, communication, travel, energy production, medical treatment and even our entertainment. Thousands of scientific achievements have transformed our world.
All this was achieved by far-sighted government funding and investment into the scientific enterprise. National government agencies set up to finance national laboratories and university research have been key to our maintaining scientific leadership. Science funding is an investment in the future and for a better and more secure life for everyone.
American science has been the envy of the world. It has attracted the best scientific minds in the world to contribute to our scientific leadership. American science has been the beacon on the hill. This has changed. Eight years of neglect and diminishing funding resources under the Bush administration have steadily eroded the scientific leadership of the U.S.
Europe, Japan, China and India have taken or are taking the lead.
Substantial funding and investment in scientific enterprise in these countries have diminished the U.S. role in scientific innovation. The numbers of foreign students or researchers who want to come to the U.S. are rapidly dwindling, and indeed, many scientists who came here have chosen to go back. Increasing numbers of American-born scientists prefer to work abroad. Many technical jobs have moved overseas to take advantage of the pools of well-educated talent there.
Eight years of failed science policies has shifted not only the production of goods but also the centers of scientific innovation and development away from the U.S. It will take great effort to turn this around and to ensure that our national and local economies prosper.
John McCain’s promise to freeze funding for science and technology next year threatens to continue this dangerous trend. American scientists will continue to move abroad, accelerating the process of scientific erosion.
While the financial situation of the U.S. is dismal, Barack Obama has developed a strategy to rebuild the nation’s scientific leadership by targeted funding for education and training and for new scientific initiatives to address our urgent needs for new energy sources and to rebuild our position as the leading scientific nation in the world.
Indiana’s goal is to build new science initiatives and technology centers. This will bring new industries, people and ideas to our state. It will create job opportunities and tax revenues. But it will require investment in science and research.
Sixty-one Nobel laureates in science just announced their support of Obama. They know how much science matters, and they know that Obama’s science and technology policies are an essential component of reinvigorating our nation and addressing our critical problems in energy, medicine, climate change, security and economic competitiveness.
Obama has addressed innovation and crucial questions for science, technology and education on his Web site: www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/FactSheetScience.pdf. Under five broad headings, he details his proposed policies. They speak to the future.
Hoosiers should support Obama to make Indiana a strong, innovative state for the 21st century.
