If our economy begins to sag in comparison with that of other nations, we can thank Republican politicians and Grover Norquist. At least half of economic development comes not from fat cats pouring money into it, but from two other sources: (1) investment in human capital development (the development of the knowledge and skills in the work force which can develop and implement new technologies leading to new products and services), and (2) governmental and business investment in research and development which leads to the development of new technologies and products,
The GI Bill after WW II was a major factor in the postwar boom. Similarly, government investment in research and development fueled the blossoming of many sectors of our economy in the 1960s through 1980s, similarly the business model of many major corporations at that time included major investments in R & D, and in ongoing training of staff to update knowledge and skills.
Today, Republicans at local, state, and national levels have cut spending on education at all levels, shortchanging human capital development. And, Republican politicians have drastically cut federal investments in R * D. At the same time, the business model of many corporations has changed from continuing growth due to staff development and investment in R & D, to one focused solely on short-germ greed. If this continues, our nation and people will be badly hurt. Republican ideology today is both stupid and destructive.