Everything is political in some way..both good and bad; but, POPULAR MECHANICS rarely ventures into politics in an overt way. However, in the November 2014 issue on innovation, they did list congress critters who stand in the way of innovation and those who promote innovation. You can find the details of the good and the not so good by buying the magazine. It might be worth subscribing to it. The article is on pages 36-46, I guess the trite editorialists in South Dakota might put this under their cheers and hisses silly categories.
Those politicians listed as "holding us back" are Sen. Rand Paul, R -KY, Sen. Ted Cruz, R--Texas, Sen Mark Begich, D-Alaska, Rep Louie Gohmert, R--Texas, Rep David Valadao, R-Calif. The shortsighted perspective of these guys involves global warming, high speed rail opposition, and irrelevant arguments related to research.
Those politicians listed as "The Innovation Fifteen" include in the US House: Eric Swalwell, D-Calif, Bill Foster, D-Illinois, Joe Kennedy, D-Mass, Fred Upton, R-Mich, Tom Reed, R-NYork, Eddie Johnson, D-Texas, and Peter Welch, D--Vermont, Bill Foster for example is the only physicist in congress and one of the few scientists. Others have been advocates of maintaining research funding.
Those politicians listed as "The Innovation Fifteen" include in the US Senate: Chris Coons, D--Deleware, Marco Rubio, R-Florida, Dick Durbin, D--Illinois, Barbara Mikulski, D-Maryland, Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, Sharrod Brown, D--Ohio, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Patty Murray, D--Washington. The contributions of these include pushing for energy efficiency funding and legislation, promoting innovation forums aimed at developing startup culture beyond Silicon Valley, Support for NASA and the National Science Foundation.
I have some doubts about the value of lists like this, but I do find it interesting that Popular Mechanics finds it relevant to study Congress to find innovators and obstructors. Our economy, health, and better living all depend on innovators.
*** Stay tuned, federal and state governments can innovate. Give them ideas for better science and education that neither shrinks nor expands "big government"-- Doug Wiken.
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