U.S. losing edge in world market, Edwards says at poverty forum

[struggle4progress]

Saturday, January 21, 2006
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

With China and India aggressively investing in math and technology, the United States needs leaders who think about how to keep the nation competitive for coming generations, John Edwards, a former Democratic vice presidential candidate, said yesterday.

The country's edge as a leader in those subjects has been eroding, Edwards said during a poverty forum at Fayetteville State University.

"The way we maintain that edge and the way we keep America competitive and the way we make sure young people not only have the skills but have the jobs to be able to be successful is we invest in all of those things because the investment comes back over and over and over," said Edwards, a former North Carolina senator.

"Not only should we not be reducing those investments, we should be significantly increasing them because that is what China's doing and they are going to race right past us over the next 50 years." ...

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128769451719&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099

[LongTomH]

1. God, I love that man!

I'm going to have a hard time deciding between Gore & Edwards in 2008.:bounce: :bounce:

[mlawrence]

4. No you won't...

because Gore won't run. Not that he wouldn't be good, but he won't run. So, then, Edwards is it!!

[EuroObserver]

2. Yes. Europe too. New UNECSO Report on R&D shows China-Asia gaining

in this field, vital for future economic development.

Their Report is here: http://www.uis.unesco.org/ev.php?ID=6388_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC

North America continues to lead in scientific investment, with public and private funding accounting for 37% of the world’s gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) in 2002. However, Asia is now the second largest investor, with a share of 32%, overtaking Europe which contributed 27% of GERD, according to data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) featured in the UNESCO Science Report 2005.

The UNESCO Science Report 2005 reviews the state of science around the world through the eyes of an independent team of experts. The report brings together an extensive number of figures and tables to help understand how contemporary issues are shaping science around the world.

The central question underlining the report is whether “the USA, Europe and Japan continue to dominate knowledge production” or if a “more balanced situation” is emerging, whereby diverse countries share in the wealth derived from R&D.

Part of the answer lies in expenditure patterns. According to the UIS, the GERD shares of North America and Europe fell by about 1% between 1997 and 2002. In contrast, expenditure has been rising in Asia, where GERD grew by about 4% during the same period.

China has seen the most remarkable growth, with its global share of GERD more than doubling, from 4% to 9% between 1997 and 2002. This compared with 6% for the Newly Industrialized Asian economies, up from 4% in 1997.


ed: and this is only up to as recently as 2002...

[Deja Q]

8. And China still has its MFN status, how nice.

Didn't know it was kosher to trade with mortal enemies... Oh well!

[rodeodance]

3. We're missing some of that leadership in the White House now,"

nattention remains the biggest threat to the war on poverty, Edwards said. Hurricane Katrina helped increase awareness of the issue, but without leaders to keep a focus on poverty, the opportunity to better the lives of the nation's poor will pass, he said.

"We're missing some of that leadership in the White House now," Edwards said.

He also urged college students to advocate for the poor.

"This is an opportunity for young people to engage again," Edwards said. "You can be their champions."

He encouraged them to volunteer or work on such issues as raising the minimum wage.

[951-Riverside]

5. America is losing its edge because of Bush

...Its no suprise that we're suddenly losing our edge after Bush came in.

[Deja Q]

7. Please. The problem started long before Bush.

But I'm certain Bush will end it.

I doubt Kerry would have used nukes.

And I never expected Chirac to be so bold and stern about using them; the US has simply been saying "All options are open". (until now.)

It ultimately is the greatest compassion. An obliterated economy with hundreds of millions of Americans starving to death is the least compassionate thing a person could do... :(

[Deja Q]

6. If only we didn't offshore, particularly IT, the US wouldn't be in a mess.

No jobs = stagnancy followed by infrastucture decline.

And guess who's responsible? Not the consumers. We don't have the power. Only those who have power are responsible for what they do to those who don't.

[BattyDem]

9. It's tough to compete in modern society ...

when you're busy debating evolution. :eyes:

[David__77]

10. As well it should...

it is wrong that the US have economic and military dominance, when such domination is built on exploitation and aggression. It is right that the developing countries catch up.

[lovuian]

11. Ya he is great ......

He knew the election was stolen...

[poetsdream]

12. If Only Edwards had been the candidate...

how things may have turned out differently...