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Bush grants valley's wishes - $136 Billion initiative to boost science, math
Mercury News ^ | 2/1/06 | Jim Puzzanghera

Posted on 02/01/2006 9:34:25 AM PST by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON - After a series of reports warning of the growing economic threat from China and India, ``competitiveness'' has become the latest catch-word of Silicon Valley's high-tech industry.

President Bush elevated the issue for the nation Tuesday, announcing a decadelong ``American Competitiveness Initiative'' that would pour $136 billion into scientific research and the promotion of math and science education.

--snip--

High-tech leaders praised the proposal Tuesday night.

``I was heartened by the amount of time he spent talking about competitiveness,'' said Carl Guardino, head of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. ``To hear him focus on math and science, especially in middle school and high school, was terrific.''

Bush's plan includes longtime priorities of the high-tech industry and echoes calls made by academic and business leaders in reports on competitiveness dating back to 2004. The initiative also mirrors congressional proposals, including an extensive ``Innovation Agenda'' unveiled by Democrats in the House of Representatives in November.

Competitiveness is an issue on which Democrats and Republicans can work together, said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, who helped craft House Democrats' proposal. But the real commitment will come when Bush funds his proposals in upcoming budgets, she said.

``The president has a history of coming up here and giving great speeches and not acting on what he says,'' Eshoo said, noting shortfalls from funding promises for his ``No Child Left Behind'' education plan.

About two-thirds of Bush's competitiveness package will be paid for out of a business tax credit for research and development that Bush wants to make permanent. Much of that money would probably be spent anyway over the next 10 years, although the White House also wants to enhance the credit.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: 109th; boost; bush; competitiveness; federalspending; grants; hightech; initiative; math; science; siliconvalley; valley; wishes
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To: NormsRevenge

President Bush sure is generous . . . with our money.


21 posted on 02/01/2006 10:24:54 AM PST by piceapungens
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To: NormsRevenge

22 posted on 02/01/2006 10:30:39 AM PST by M203M4
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To: mlc9852
But how do you get students really interested in math and science?

show the students the weekly paycheck of a Sr Network Engineer or Programmer/Developer.
23 posted on 02/01/2006 10:35:42 AM PST by Element187
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To: dfwgator

And I think math and science is like serious exercise for the brain. It has to make you smarter.


24 posted on 02/01/2006 10:45:16 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Element187

Unfortunately a lot of kids see big money being made in other ways (some not legal). I like to think the brightest would gravitate to the tougher academic subjects but I know that doesn't always happen.


25 posted on 02/01/2006 10:46:30 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

Math trains you on how to think. An engineering degree combined with an MBA is gold.


26 posted on 02/01/2006 10:46:38 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: NormsRevenge
Bush's plan includes longtime priorities of the high-tech industry and echoes calls made by academic and business leaders in reports on competitiveness dating back to 2004. The initiative also mirrors congressional proposals, including an extensive ``Innovation Agenda'' unveiled by Democrats in the House of Representatives in November.

What a joke. These guys are responsible for creating the mindset that only the foreign-born are qualified to do high-tech work and that Americans need not apply.

27 posted on 02/01/2006 10:49:54 AM PST by Penner
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: sgribbley

"The $136 billion will just go down the nea union rathole."

I'm pretty sure you're right.


29 posted on 02/01/2006 11:30:59 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

Do the number 36 24 36 come to mind?


30 posted on 02/01/2006 11:40:23 AM PST by Waverunner
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To: Waverunner

And what do we do to get the girls interested? Have the Chippendales teach?


31 posted on 02/01/2006 11:44:03 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852

One way is to have good teachers early in schools make it interesting.


32 posted on 02/01/2006 11:45:23 AM PST by mathluv (Bushbot, Snowflake, Dittohead ---- Bring it on!!!)
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To: mathluv

And as someone else stated, drop all the other "crap" and actually concentrate on academics!


33 posted on 02/01/2006 11:48:25 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852
Unfortunately a lot of kids see big money being made in other ways (some not legal). I like to think the brightest would gravitate to the tougher academic subjects but I know that doesn't always happen.

unless you are a top dawg cocaine runner passing through kilo's in a month or two, engineering jobs pay alot more then small time dealers... or were you talking about other illegal activities?
34 posted on 02/01/2006 11:49:06 AM PST by Element187
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To: NormsRevenge

Far too many attack this move, while many of these same Freepers post here about how "outsourcing" is killing our economy. One cannot have it both ways!

This move will improve a literate and world class technical workforce for our future.

Anyone here have another idea to increase math and science skills in our school systems? If you do, what are the details, and how will YOU fund it???

LLS


35 posted on 02/01/2006 11:50:00 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: mlc9852

That would certainly help!


36 posted on 02/01/2006 11:50:33 AM PST by mathluv (Bushbot, Snowflake, Dittohead ---- Bring it on!!!)
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To: NormsRevenge
Spend Spend Spend. And it's New Spending New Spending New Spending.

What are the dems so upset about? President Bush has grown the federal government consistently at 2-3 times the inflation rate. Democrat Republican, I'm straining to see a difference.
37 posted on 02/01/2006 11:51:04 AM PST by jackieaxe (Democrats are mired in a culture of screwing English speaking, taxpaying, law abiding citizens!)
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To: Element187

I was just speaking in general that our kids need better role models. I'm sure they can name all the rappers but can they name even one astronaut? We need to put much more emphasis on math and science in elementary school. Of course, as long as they understand that homosexuality is a wonderful thing...


38 posted on 02/01/2006 11:56:36 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: mlc9852
how do you get students really interested in math and science?

Employment possibilities or scholarships such as the mining, oil/gas industries provide.

39 posted on 02/01/2006 11:58:27 AM PST by RightWhale (pas de lieu, Rhone que nous)
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To: RightWhale
Employment possibilities or scholarships such as the mining, oil/gas industries provide.

Ya I don't think now is the time to get students interested in mining, could backfire.
40 posted on 02/01/2006 12:20:08 PM PST by Element187
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