Sam Gejdenson: “one of the key differences between the United States is that we have made education universally available. As we compete…”

“one of the key differences between the United States is that we have made education universally available. As we compete in this modern economy, it is clear that we cannot compete at the bottom of the economic ladder. Countries will always hopefully have lower hourly wages for their employees than we do in this country. In China right now it is 2 cents on the dollar. In Mexico it is about 15 cents on the dollar. The only way we are able to stay competitive internationally is by investing in education to make sure the next generation is ready for an even more economic battlefront that is internationally based. If we underfund education as a country, we will end up being a second-rate power economically and we will be a second-rate power militarily as well. The future of this country is dependent on the investment in education, so that we have the brightest workers, the most patents as we have today, the Nobel prize winners in arts and sciences. That is what moves this country forward. There is a debate. The Republicans generally do not feel there is a Federal role for education. I think whether you live in Bozrah, Connecticut or Baltimore or Selma, Alabama you ought to expect the very best education that we can provide because every American benefits from this investment in education.”