Great op-ed by the above title in today’s WaPo from Bill Gates. It makes some great points, among them:

  • “Innovation is the source of U.S. economic leadership and the foundation for our competitiveness in the global economy.” Yeah, we knew that, and it’s driven by US manufacturers, as both you regular blog readers know.
  • “The most important factor is our workforce. Scientists and engineers trained in U.S. universities — the world’s best — have pioneered key technologies such as the microprocessor, creating industries and generating millions of high-paying jobs.”
  • “Two steps are critical. First, we must demand strong schools so that young Americans enter the workforce with the math, science and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in the knowledge economy. We must also make it easier for foreign-born scientists and engineers to work for U.S. companies.”

    • We’ve made all these points here before, but when they come from a successful businessman and billionaire, they carry a little more weight. He knows what he’s talking about. Gates notes that, “Half of this country’s doctoral candidates in computer science come from abroad.” It was former Sen. Allen (R-VA) at the NAM Board meeting who said of the foreign graduates of advanced US degrees in math and science that he’d staple a visa to their diploma. He’s right — otherwise we’re send the next Andy Grove back home to compete against us. Bad idea.

    So yes, we need to increase the number of H1B visas. Microsoft pays their H1B workers the same as their US counterparts, like almost every other company. The notion that these high-end employees somehow depress America wages is laughable. And, we need to reform the green card process so we can speed the more permanent residence of the workers we need.

    And while we’re at it, let’s do something about improving the schools. That’s something on which all of us — except maybe the NEA — can agree.

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