Obama's stimulus package passes in the house, but how exactly will the economy get back on track?

The NYTimes published a magazine article today addressing just that issue, entitled The Big Fix. In the article, author David Leonhardt argues why the current economic crisis is an opportunity for Obama to tackle big issues like healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. It isn't new news, but these kinds of major long-term investments are what will keep the United States ahead of countries.

One aspect of the article that received special emphasis was the topic of education. If the United States really wants to stay on top, we need to make strides in education. Leonhardt cites a study that argues that the high school movement to educate the masses that began in the 1930's and continued through the 1960's is what put America ahead of European nations, who were still focusing on apprenticeships and dismissed the value of comprehensive, general education. Since the 1960's, the US hasn't made much progress and now we are falling behind other nations.

So what is Obama going to do about it? I hope to see higher standards and a greater focus on math and science, and not just for exceptional students but for everybody. We also need to initiate a cultural shift to get more people to place a higher value on their own education and the education of their children. Otherwise, the next 30 years of advances in technology are going to be occurring outside of the United States.

Jeez, I loved that article. Thank you NYTimes!