It was an argument powered more by reflex than reflection.
Productivity is the pivot of social progress.
But as the computer and Internet advances have diffused through the economy, productivity has surged again. It would seem to follow that the Senate's debate over the federal budget might have focused at least in part on how Washington can help boost productivity. But investment in federal research, though critical, is only one piece of the puzzle. The plan is organized around four big ideas. Any of these specifics are open to debate.