Barrett's wrong about U.S. 'brain drain'

I disagree with Intel's Craig Barrett about the United States being complacent about education and research. It implies a lack of interest or laziness on the part of citizens to pursue higher education. Rather, the fact is that economic realities are the key reason many do not choose to pursue advanced education.

When I hear the excuses for supporting H-1B visas, outsourcing and insourcing, I can't help but grind my teeth in frustration and anger. Does the government really care about such matters? The answer is a rather obvious "No!" Instead of bringing in foreign nationals (many of whom received their education from U.S. universities) to do jobs where there is allegedly insufficient American labor, the government should be trying to develop programs and incentives to encourage continued education.

But the government is wholly indifferent on the issue, leaving the burden squarely on the financial shoulders of its citizens. That doesn't promote economic growth or sustain and improve America's technological standing. It wastes an invaluable resource: the intelligent, gifted minds of citizens who might otherwise be attending advanced science and engineering programs, if they were given the means and incentives to do so.

Shawn Rasmussen
Phoenix