McCain does Technology: Part 2
Hey y’all. It’s been awhile since we last talked. Well, I’m doin ok. I hope y’all are all living blessed. Have you decided who you’re voting for yet? What about that Sarah Palin? Who’s going to win? All these question and more like them can be discussed on another blog; as for us, we are going to talk more about Mr. McCain’s proposed way of doing technology for America, if he becomes “the man.”
To start off, Mr. McCain believes that in order to get America at the forefront of the technological revolution, we need to invest in programs that will encourage more students to participate in the math, science and technology fields. According to Mr. McCain, less than 20% of students in the US obtain degrees in the maths and sciences (that because it’s hard). Mr. McCain went further to say that the number of students pursuing computer science degrees has fallen by over 50% in less than a decade. He believes that by introducing programs like the “America Competes Act” we will be able to move these numbers in a positive direction again. Mr. McCain also is aware that there is a digital divide between Americans with access to broadband and information communication technologies and those without, and he has attempted to address the issue by providing grants for digital and wireless technologies instruction to minorities and those in the lower income brackets.
Due to the fact that participation in the abovementioned areas is dwindling, we are coming up with a shortage of skilled tech workers. Mr. McCain believes he can address this issue by leveraging our technologically skilled workforce by increasing the number of H-1B visas granted to foreign workers, who are oftentimes educated in the United States, and encouraging those workers to stay here in the States to benefit our national productivity.My three cents.
All this is good and I really have nothing bad to say, just a suggestion. Mr. McCain’s camp has made it a point to make it known that he has supported efforts in the past, on behalf of minorities, to shrink the digital divide by providing the grants mentioned above. I think that Mr. McCain could be even more effective in reducing the digital divide by providing grants and scholarships to those same individuals interested in taking advantage of digital instruction by funding their education at traditional colleges and other post secondary schools. If these same people realize that America will help them learn new skills, and will assist them in getting a degree and earning a living, they will more likely to pursue careers in math, science and technology-related professions, thereby increasing the pool of qualified minorities in the market.
Tags: election, mccain, obama, Sara Palin, technology