Editor:

Sixty-one Nobel laureates in science just announced their support of Barack Obama for president.

They know how much science matters, and they know that Obama’s science and technology policies are an essential component of any plans to change our direction as a nation and address our critical problems in energy, medicine, climate change, security and economic competitiveness.

We have watched with great concern over many years the loss of industrial jobs throughout country, and the resulting growth of our state and national economic problems. We  have the opportunity to replace those jobs with new, higher-tech jobs related to the solutions to the great problems identified above. This will require a strong scientific base and new emphases in education, job training and support for innovation.

The U. S. leads the world in science and innovation, but our lead in science investment and research output is diminishing alarmingly.

John McCain’s promise to freeze funding for science and technology next year threatens to continue that dangerous trend. Many technical jobs have already moved overseas to take advantage of the pools of well-educated talent available there. It will require a serious commitment to turn this trend around and make sure that our national economy — and Aspen’s — prosper in the future. 

Obama’s proposed policies directly address innovation and the investments in science, technology, and education that will be crucial for our future economic leadership. These policies speak to our future and to yours. We encourage you to read them and act accordingly.

Loyal and Bernice Durand 
Aspen and Cross Plains, Wisconsin