In a time of economic crisis (or really any crisis), it is difficult to think too far into the future. Still, if America is to be a significant force in the scientific world of the future, we need to invest in our primary education system now, putting a particular emphasis on basic science education. We have to remember that science is a process -- often a long process -- and if we do not dedicate ourselves today to teaching our children how to think critically, rationally, pragmatically, then we will short ourselves our future scientific manpower. Putting money into research programs now is certainly useful, but in terms of long term advantage, let's begin by rethinking some of the funding structures implemented under the last administration, like NCLB, that provided support to schools, but only with a million strings attached.
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