Will the kids leave the U.S.?

Will the kids leave the U.S. for better jobs and/or life in another country?

 Over the last century, some of the smartest and most educated people left England, China and other countries to work and live in the United States.  With America on the decline, failing to offer top rate Internet connections, health care, high speed trains and safe communities, will some (1% to 5% of our best and brightest) of America’s youth leave the U.S. for Japan, Europe, Canada, U.K., Australia and other post-Industrial countries that are beating the U.S. in this century?

 I asked Willie how many of his friends had thought about living in another country.  He surprised me by responding “most.”  Then he told me about one friend who married a foreigner so he could move to her country.  Another of his friends is currently working in Australia.  His fellow band mate just returned from Germany.  And his AFS “brother” Kentaro just moved back to Japan this month. 

 What do you think?  Will the U.S., desperate for college educated knowledge workers, lose some of our best to other countries? 
   Photo: Willie and Julie picking up sea shells on the beach in Puerto Rico over the holidays.  Note: Puerto Rico is part of the United States.

 (This week: Willie, our 23 year old son who has taught us about the 21^st century, comes home for winter holidays. Highlights from our talks with him.)