Bernice and Loyal Durand: Obama is better choice for science, technology

Bernice and Loyal Durand  —  9/30/2008 5:51 am

Dear Editor:

Science, technology and innovation matter to everyone!

Sixty-one Nobel laureates in science just announced their support of Barack Obama for president. They know how much science matters; and they know that Obama's science and technology policies are an essential component of any plans to change our direction as a nation and address our critical problems in energy, medicine, climate change, security and economic competitiveness.

We, UW-Madison physics professors emeriti, have watched with great concern the loss of industrial jobs throughout Wisconsin, and the resulting growth of our economic problems. An opportunity exists to replace those jobs with new, higher-tech jobs related to the solution of the great problems of the 21st century. This will require a strong scientific base in Wisconsin, and new emphases in education, job training and support for innovation.

The U.S. leads the world in science and innovation, but our lead in science investment and research output is diminishing alarmingly. John McCain's promise to freeze funding for science and technology next year threatens to continue that dangerous trend. Many technical jobs have already moved overseas to take advantage of the pools of well-educated talent available there. It will take great effort to turn this around, and ensure that our national and local economies prosper. UW-Madison, MATC and Wisconsin's other universities and technical colleges contribute greatly.

Obama's proposed policies directly address innovation and the investments in science, technology and education that will be crucial for our future economic leadership. They are presented compactly under five broad headings at www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/FactSheetScience.pdf.

These policies speak to our future and to yours. We encourage you to read them and act accordingly.

Bernice and Loyal Durand

Cross Plains

Bernice and Loyal Durand  —  9/30/2008 5:51 am