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Creativity Needed To Succeed In Globalizing Economy

Two former assistant U.S. Secretaries of Education write in The Wall Street Journal Online Edition that American education's single-minded focus on science, technology, engineering and math ('STEM' subjects) is admirable but misguided.

They write: "the STEM-winders mean well. They reason that India and China will eat America's lunch unless we boost our young people's prowess in the STEM fields. But these enthusiasts don't understand that what makes Americans competitive on a shrinking, globalizing planet isn't out-gunning Asians at technical skills. Rather, it's our people's creativity, versatility, imagination, restlessness, energy, ambition and problem-solving prowess. True success over the long haul -- economic success, civic success, cultural success, domestic success, national defense success -- depends on a broadly educated populace with flowers and leaves as well as stems. That's what equips us to invent and imagine and grow one business line into another. It's also how we acquire qualities and abilities that aren't easily "outsourced" to Guangzhou or Hyderabad."

In other words, we need citizens with well developed imaginations, not just excellent technicians.

Do You Believe in Evolution?

America is right in front of Turkey and right behind Iceland and 27 other nations in its acceptance of evolution as an explanation of how life on earth has developed. Among the factors contributing to America's low score are poor understanding of biology, especially genetics, the politicization of science and the literal interpretation of the Bible by a small but vocal group of American Christians. This all about translating personal religious beliefs into public policy and the education agenda for many states. If you are worried about the religious filters being placed over American public education, research, and science - do something about it. Read more...

Comedian Runs For Senate, Seriously Folks

Al Franken won five Emmys for his work on "Saturday Night Live" over 16 seasons. He's funny (naturally), smart, passionate, principled and fiercely progressive. He had his own radio show on Air America. And he's now angling for a major role in Washington as the next Senator from Minnesota. No kidding. "George W. Bush and his pals have ignored the worsening health care crisis, shortchanged our veterans, and made mistake after mistake after tragic mistake in Iraq. They didn't do it because they were competing in some sort of international 'Worst Government' contest. They did it because they think the government is there to serve as a piggybank for their cronies. And, as a result, we find ourselves in need of real leadership to undo the damage they've done."

His web site lists several issues and his take on them. On health care: "We need to get to universal health care. A single-payer system clearly would save the most in administrative costs, but there are other ways to achieve universal coverage. Every other industrialized country in the world does have universal health care, but they don’t all use the traditional single-payer model. We should work together to develop an American model that reflects our culture and our history. While we’re working on that, there are things we can – and should – do immediately. For instance, we should cover every child in America right away. We should treat mental illness and addiction as the health issues they are and pass Paul Wellstone’s bill for mental health parity. And we should look for cures for deadly diseases by harnessing the full potential of stem cell research. "

Clearly the writer, actor, lecturer, TV and radio personality has a talent for politics. Will it be enough to win the Democratic primary and then defeat the incumbent, Senator Norm Coleman. Stay tuned.