Here in the USA we are the world’s only super power, with the world’s largest economy. In both categories we are far, far ahead of even the closest competition.
The question that we need to ask is: “How did we get here?”
The answer is: public investment!
There are some folks saying, “Stop, stop, stop,” for a variety of reasons; mostly wrong!
The airports, seaports and highways are government investments that allowed citizens and businesses to move employees, raw materials and finished goods.
The military’s success is what makes us the world’s only super power; a division of the federal government, supplemented by state militias (military guard and reserve units).
Technology is very largely driven by indirect taxpayer, government, investment. There are 317 government labs listed here: www.federallabs.org/labs/results .
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC, now a part of UT Austin’s Research facilities) was encouraged by the federal government. Sematech, another technology consortium, was a partnership with the US federal government.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first general-purpose electronic computer and a project of the US Department of the Army. We all have the current results of all those development efforts in our pocket, purse or briefcase.
We all travel on the common carrier transportation infrastructure everyday. We also are constantly dependent on government efforts for clean air and water; those of us old enough can remember what air and water quality was when individuals and industry cared solely for their own self-interest.
We all travel on the common carrier transportation infrastructure everyday. We also are constantly dependent on government efforts for clean air and water; those of us old enough can remember what air and water quality was when individuals and industry cared solely for their own self-interest.
All the government and government assisted development was done in the shadow of World and Cold wars, and the costs were borne by a collaboration known as American taxpayers. Now, some are becoming aware that these things are expensive. It becomes more expensive as some folks and businesses decide that they don’t want to pay any part of the bill, even as they use these very resources.
The state of TX has tried multiple times to outsource government function to the private sector (Health and Human Services to Accenture, Information Resources to IBM and the Camino-Columbia Private Toll Road); all have failed!
In the preamble to the US Constitution, “we the people,” are to, “promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” This can only be done when everybody realizes how lucky We are to be here in the USA and help decide, then follow through and do what needs to be done!
