What ideas do you have to keep America competitive in the years ahead?
In a recent speech, I proposed a new competiveness agenda centered around education and energy, innovation and infrastructure, fair trade and reform.
You can watch it, and read the full-text, here: http://my.barackobama.com/competitiveness
What ideas do you have to keep America competitive in the years ahead?
Answers (2,991)
Joy M
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1. Lean and Agile management in both the corporate and government arenas.
2. Attention to the ideas in Senator Byron Dorgan's book, "Take This Job and Ship It." He'd make a fine cabinet member or Vice President if the role will have some clout.
Kevin H
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Greetings Senator, and congratulations on your recent traction wrt the presidential race.
I'm glad you worded your question using the words "keep competitive" because in fact, the nation is as competitive as ever.
My take on the issue is that cozy relationship among lobbyists, government, corporate interests, and the media - especially the latter - are focusing the citizens (and I am one) on the shocking news of the moment, rather than on the many fantastic, amazing, future-enhancing progress enjoyed within communities, research labs, and universities all over.
When the gaze is directed toward the problems and only as reported, not with accompanying actionable solutions that citizens can follow, morale, self-efficacy, confidence, and as you've perfectly discovered, hope, take a nose dive. Fingers point, tempers raise, and nothing gets accomplished but fear.
I'd love to see some disconnecting of these cozy relationships and some positive reinforcement of those relationships that do work, since humans and institutions are much more likely to change if there is something to work toward, rather than fear.
I am persuaded that once the institutions named above begin to work in the role they were originally set up for (education for education ,not babysitting; energy for conservation and usage, not profit; innovation for science and not religious battles; fair trade in order to trade, not prevent or protect, and most importantly the media to report on issues to those of us not in Washington DC or Cape Canaveral or the labs around our great nation, rather than on (only) the activities of drug-addicted socialites, gangsters, thugs, washedup movies stars, and etc.
So, in summary, let's revisit the original charter of these institutions, re-focus their mandate, re-energize their mission and tasks with positive service, and let them solve the problems they've been asked to solve. As Lincoln said: ... a government of the people, by the people, for the people....."
Education. I suggest a miniscule tax on all un-solicted commercial emails sent within the United States. That tax revenue should go directly into education. Educators should , frankly, be paid more. The position should also be harder to get. Some will argue there is shortage of teachers... I would say there is a shortage of *good* teachers.
Healthcare. In an office I worked in, 90% of the employees were one trip to the ER away from financial ruin. The could not afford healthcare. Their entire quality of life declined, their existence revolved around staying alive, staying healthy, because they could not afford to be sick. I hate to explain it, but sick just happens. Illnesses are totally out of our control, and we, as the richest country on the planety should not live in a state of bio-survival anxiety.
I think socialized healthcare will also do something to weaken the hold that employers have on their employees... people will seek out different positions if they know their health benefits are taken care of. That means employers will have to be more competitive is they want to retain employees...
And finally, I think we should enforce the laws we have in place to prevent corporations from buying polticians and lawmakers.
By not being dependent on other countries resources.
I have been doing recruiting for some time. I have noticed especially recently that there have been quite a few people who have lost their jobs because of companies relocating overseas. If we can make it more attractive for companies to stay in the US I think we can stay competitive.
By keeping the capital gains tax the same or lowering it. Encouraging businesses to grow and expand by lessening government regulation and the burdens placed on them by the government. Developing our natural resources so that we are not dependent on unstable foreign countries and creating jobs in the US in the process. Reduction in spending on social entitlement programs that put huge burdens on the coming generations.
Low taxes, minimal government. Don't kill the golden goose that is the free market economy!
Education is going to be the key...but not just in the classroom...It needs to take place in the home as well. People need to take responsibilty & not depend on blaming others. Children need to take pride in their work & their parents need to be there to support & guide them. I also believe that the unions need to go. It has created a system where teachers get their tenure & could'nt care less about what their students are learning or judging by the test scores I've been reading about in the papers...not learning...
Solve the problems that are bleeding off resources and adding to the national deficit.
A billion dollars a week could create a solar/ windpower system, improve education, feed the homeless, fund headstart nationwide, fix bridges that are falling down, start a working healthcare system for the working people and create a car that gets 50 mpg.
But that's not where we're spending our money.
Make significant investments in renewable energy. Renewable energy, when scaled up, can end our dependence on oil. We have subsidized the fossil fuel energy for years at a cost of billions of taxpayer dollars. That has brought us cheap power in the past, but as they are global market, it is no longer the case. An investment in renewable fuels, such as Solar and Wind, would again bring us cheap power, but, as these markets are not global, also make us a leader again. America was a great nation because we continued to look to the future. We were ever investing in infrastructure, energy, education and technology. It seems lately we have become focused on the past. We need to look to the future again and plan for it, before it is to late. Other countries are not going to wait for us to lead, but rather they will leave us behind.
Heavy investment in clean tech/clean energy and increasing visa allowances for highly educated workers.
We must Invest in Technology and bring more people with especial talent to the country.-
Mary J
Management consultant LION Toplinked MaryJohnsonMBA@Gmail.com All invites welcome
Empower individuals and businesses to be innovative and to be willing to take risks by implementing new ideas - at the same time, do not attempt to overly control the economy.
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Paul K
Program Manager, Clinical Support at Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy Services
If you take one look at the state of our country’s infrastructure, the answer seems obvious. We need to seriously invest federal funds into rebuilding America. Consider the levies as the collapse in the Midwest while flood waters rise, then consider the joblessness in the same geography. This is one example of how a significant public works project would repair what’s broken, protect what’s at risk, and provide valuable jobs. Why send everyone $600 to stimulate the economy when for the same money you could also improve neighborhoods for the long term? How about our interstate system, our decaying bridges and tunnels, our ports, our utilities and power grids….. If we spent the same amount of money that we are dumping into Iraq for just one year, what could we accomplish in terms infrastructure upgrades and repairs, job creation, and real economic stimulus? It boggles the mind. Long term competitiveness can only come from a house that’s in order, and it’s time for some home improvement!
Three things:
We cannot succumb to the demogoguery of those wishing to destroy free trade. There may be areas in which we can improve our standing in relation to other countries, but we must continue to promote free trade, especially within the Western Hemisphere.
We must take a more holistic look at education. We can no longer afford to treat every child equally, assuming through the 12th grade that we must prepare everyone for College. Instead, we must find a way earlier to give each student what they need to succeed. Some people will not go on to a four year institution, and we must ensure they have the skills needed to be successful in the world once they graduate. Today, many skilled labor jobs are going unfilled because there is no one trained to take them once the baby boomer generation reaches retirement.
Finally, we must improve our standing in the world, which I know is a priority for you. Today, people around the world tell me, "we like Americans, we just don't like your President." My fear is, if we continue down the path President Bush has chosen, many more people will not differentiate between the two. Having more and more people in the world dislike us will put America at a competitive disadvantage as we seek to maintain and further build our prosperous middle class.
Eliminate the minimum wage. This will allow some major benefits to the people and the economy. The free market will set wages for each job description.
*people will be motivated to learn new skills to be more competitive
* Outsourcing overseas will be highly reduced if not eliminated since people would rather manufacture locally but minimum wages makes it fiscally prohibitive. Local talent will look more attractive.
*It will motivate loyaly both ways for employees and employers since the investment will be more affordable and valuable.
Thanks for listening!
Mark Schaffel
Chicago, IL
Education, Education and Education......
-Strong emphasis on Medical Developments and Technology Advancements
-Growing closer towards stronger and more peaceful relationships with allies and enemies
-Strong Developments with Alternative Energy Practices
-Stronger Laws in favor of Civil Liberties
-Less! Regarding the War in Iraq
-Lowering taxes in favor of homeowners
-More grants and lower interest rates for college students
The United States has to continue making things people want to buy.
Create Intellectual Property, yes, but continue to manufacture products.
Continue the trend of creating high-value innovative products, but at the same time, figure out ways to manufacture low cost items more efficiently than other countries.
Stay on track with new technologies, but begin to compete again in textiles, manufacturing, furniture, toys, household items, bicycles, cars.
Diva M
Talent Acquisition Specialist / Career Coach / Published Author
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Several ideas come to mind...
1 -- Encouraging innovation in multiple areas across the board (i.e. TED -- Technology, Education, Design conference)
2 -- Encouraging companies to keep key jobs in our country instead of increasingly outsourcing overseas (i.e. Information Technology, Customer Service Call Centers, Accounting / Finance, and Manufacturing)
3 -- Encouraging any work that is done overseas by U.S. companies to be kept on an even playing field (i.e. same wages, same work standards, same provisions for health care and other benefits, same OSHA standards, etc...) so that prices for US made products are competitive with products made abroad.
4 -- Setting up accountability rules that any companies or corporations that conduct business in the USA be required to bank in the USA, keeping their money in the USA, so that they are subject to paying taxes here.
Thank you for asking the American people this question!!
4 -- Providing incentives to U.S. corporations to develop technology, be "green" and keep jobs within our borders while simultaneously providing incentives to companies outside the U.S. to establish bases here, creating jobs within our country
Clarification added June 19, 2008:
Oops... the "second" #4 should have been #5.. and the "thank you" at the end... thanks again.
Use the military to keep drugs out of the USA and invade the countries who are producing it with permission and diplomacy of the countries not by force, I don't think the americans need more enemies in the world. Increase the taxes on all the oil related products and apply those funds to subsidies for people to have an alternative choice for Oil, Coal or Nuclear. Have americans learn at least spanish other than english, and have a third language as an optional for the schools. Knowing only english in the competitive world we live in is not enough. Stop invading countries and bring the troops home. The cost of that is not sustainable.
Primary,Preprimary and Seconday school education should be focus to imrpove the standards of focus, discipline and passion to succeed. America is definitely loosing their edge in education. There is a huge gap between Higher education and primary level education. Educating the kids about needs and wants.
A strong Parent and teacher assoicatio and programs to share and learn from each other for the better prosperity of kids and make sure every parents are on board.
I went to Masters here and studiend my high schools in India and now Iam not happy with my sons school system in WI state where the state seems to have beeter educational program.
Improve the salary structure,visibility, benefits for school teachers - No good teachers coming to this industry becoz - its not a highly paid profession except there is summer holidays. If you do not have a good talent here, get them from overseas. Teachers who got passion, continous learning mindset and invest in the train the trainer type programs.
Improve the entrepreneur opportunities for young talents - Have a furtile opportunities for them to take the rist, experiment and help them improve their business skills and help them connect with investors.
Form a Gov sponsored groups in each State to imrpve the startup climates.
Tap the Retired baby boomers and have them help the new generations, entreprenurs to leverage their skills,contacts and experience to grow their businesses. This is going to be a huge resource, unless utilized well, going to go waste.
Finally, US is a great country, I feel sad some of the local citizens have no clue much about the happenings around them.
I applaud your agenda for keeping America competitive. As I know you agree transportation and what we do with the incarcerated must be high on the agenda.
Transportation - alternative fuels, electric must be articulated and broght to the public in a clear cohesive manner that is not driven by special interest groups. We must have a train system that mirrors our major north to south highways such as I-35.
Incarceration - Turn the prisons into factories - put the criminals to work to cover the cost of thier incarceration and give back to society. This also teaches them skills they can use upon their return to society. It will probably be a deterent for some as well.
Give the country back to the people. Eliminate the lobbyist and special interest groups and make public service an honorable profession once again. We need to be pro-business as it is business that creates jobs and keeps the economy going. Allow the people to keep their hard earned dollars by reducing taxes. Cut spending and re-incorporate the idea of personal accountability...it is not the government's job to provide for those who are less fortunate (that's what family and the church are for). Provide incentives for success rather than penalties with escalating tax brackets. Refocus on what America great. America became great because of a strong faith in God, a strong work ethic and a strong sense of personal accountability. America has always been the one place in the world where hard work could achieve great prosperity. We must reinvigorate that mindset and break down the mindset of entitlement that is so prevalent today.
Tom S
Executive Director | Linked 2 Leadership & CEO | Recalibrate Professional Development
We keep American competitive by 1) remaining a sovereign country that proactively defends itself, 2) lowering taxes so that greedy politicians cannot profit from our money, 3) make it easier for individuals to grow independently from Big Brother 4) keep our guns and religion so that we can sulk in freedom.
Well the answers are simple but not easy:
1. The climate crisis is issue number 1; we must face it as seriously as we did WWII. All the economic and cultural woes we are suffering are dwarfed by this challenge. This is a task that you promised to Al Gore and America that you would accept should you become Pr3esident Mr. Obama... All else is linked to this.
2. We have to continue science and R & D to remain the technical leaders of the world. Above all, never never underestimate the value of the Space Program. In fact, take a page from Kennedy's book and let's plan an expedition to Mars! The fraction of the federal budget spent on NASA is TINY compared to the premiums we get back in technical growth.
Clarification added June 19, 2008:
I also think the technical growth which is being fed by the rapid interest and investment in alternative energy is going to have a fantastic long term effect on our economy, but not if it is done at the expense of the health of our environment. Growing more corn is an example of a bad idea as a dependable renewable resource to replace oil.
This research and development investment needs to be put on a fast track, and access to top quality education is not peripheral to the issue. More teaming with industry leaders is key.
Bill B
Experienced Global Insurance Executive
Best Answers in: Internationalization and Localization (1), Offshoring and Outsourcing (1)
By taking responsibility for the success of our children. Too often we live in the selfish needs of the moment, and this has mortgaged the future for our children. Olive trees take 100 years to grow before they bear fruit that can be harvested. Most of us have little patience for long time scales.
The problems of today have come to us because of failures to address them yesterday (in the past). It takes wisdom, perhaps more than we have, to turn the problems of today into opportunities for our children, and their children. To compete, we must change our perspective.
Rajan D
Entrepreneur, Advisor and Technology Evangelist
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A creative, competitive America is the answer to a changing world. One of the greatest contributions the United States can make to the world is to promote freedom and openness. Free trade delivers a greater choice of goods in all fifty states, from food to furniture and cars to computers, at lower prices.
America has proved time and again that the right policies, those that enhance economic freedom, can make the pie much bigger. And its benefits can be widely shared. Economic freedom fosters the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that creates new products and jobs. It sustains America's strength and the creation of wealth.
The role of education, esp. science and technology, in the future of United States is undeniable from strategic and national competitiveness perspective.
Education is the knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. During their high school career, students may begin to question the importance of a college education. They might find themselves asking, "Why is it important to go to college?" The answer is that, more than ever, attending college provides opportunities for graduates which are not as widespread to those who have not received a higher education. Focus on science and technology makes country strong domestically with global talent wars. Talent is the asset for any country. Focus on entertainment has to be diverted creatively to learning so that teens can realize their maximum potential. For many high school students, being able to immediately generate an income after graduation is an appealing thought. They may also be repelled by the rising cost of tuition, and while it is true that a higher education may be one of the largest expenses you will ever face, the importance of a college education has become quite evident in terms of earning potential within today's economy.
The evolution of the private and public sectors have emphasized the need for strong industry-science linkages. A well-functioning interface between the innovation and science systems is more necessary than ever to reap the economic and social benefits from public and private investments in research, ensure the vitality and quality of the science system, and improve public understanding and acceptance of science and technology and the importance of innovation.
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Jeff B
Technical Sales Engineer for SharePoint and other Microsoft technologies at AT&T, Filmmaker, Writer, Dad
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In an increasing global economy, with the U.S. being home to a largely service-oriented workforce, where manufacturing and many technical products and services are routinely delivered from other countries, I believe that meticulous attention to quality management across the entire supply chain, broad adoption of highly effective collaboration methods and systems, and a steadfast commitment to providing unparalleled customer service will become absolutely critical to our ability to maintain a competitive advantage across all sectors.
1. Stop pointless subsidies that makes special interests rich.
2. Energize the country and the people to innovate and find solutions for our oil strapped nation.
3. Stop closing doors on the rest of the world who wants to contribute to our success. Ask Lou Dobbs to leave and set up shop in Mexico.
4. Education is messed up and with in it, the priorities are messed up.
Keys to US success include raising the retirement age to ease the burden on social security, eliminating the costly elements of CMS and making reimbursement for healthcare more competitive, subsidizing college tuition for qualifying students who major in science/math/engineering and, finally, adopting a NYC-style welfare-to-work program.
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