As a scientist, the starting point is always the facts of the matter, whereas often, in politics, the starting point is how does this play in the next election.
Scientists want to know the evidence behind a statement; they want reproducible tests and verifiable facts. There is a big difference in the thought process of a trial lawyer who is interested not in what's true but what he can convince a jury is true.
As we face tough decisions in Washington, we must never forget our responsibility to protect Medicare and preserve it for future generations.
The United States will always be a global leader, and we need to actively engage the international community to make sure all citizens of the world live freely and equally under their country's rule of law. We cannot, however, afford to fight other nations' wars interminably or stabilize their regions.
I believe we need a balanced, bipartisan approach to debt reduction that includes a combination of spending cuts, investments in economic growth, and simplification of the tax code that closes corporate loopholes that incentivize companies to ship jobs overseas.
It's wonderful to see more of my colleagues recognizing the importance of investing in STEM education and scientific research and development.
