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 (3,055)
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.
Analyst at International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
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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...
David W.
Marketing & promotions at the Big Fun Show! (22 years of success)
Best Answers in: Career Management (1)
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.-
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.
Links:
Paul K.
Sr. 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 / Executive Recruiting (Nationwide)
Best Answers in: Job Search (2), Staffing and Recruiting (2), Nonprofit Management (1)
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.
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