Outsourcing jobs can make America stronger

The growing crisis over the outsourcing of America's jobs reminds me of the day, 47 years ago, the Russians launched Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, and our nation's reaction to that event. For me, it was one of those "where were you when it happened" moments. It also makes me realize that the character of great nations, like great people, is determined by how they deal with crisis.

I was an undergraduate student at the U. at that time, taking a criminology class from my favorite professor, Dean Arthur L. Beeley. He was a picture of the ultimate English scholar: tall, impeccably dressed with three-piece dark suit and gold watch chain over his vest. Being the great teacher that he was, no matter what course you took from him, he always made current events come alive and punctuated them with a philosophical point or principle. On this particular morning, he could hardly wait until the bell rang to talk about how Russia, America's enemy in the Cold War, had beaten America in the race to space. At that time, there was a growing threat that Russia could launch an intercontinental missile that would deliver an atom bomb. When Russia launched Sputnik, it raised the fears of many Americans that Khrushchev's "we will bury you" threat might become a reality. It was to be the end of America's superiority as a world power.

That morning, while the news reported the danger and how the Russians had beaten us in the space race, Dean Beeley stood in front of the class, in his most dignified manner, and stated that we should not worry about Russia being the first to launch into space but, instead, simply proclaim, "Touche Russia!"

Sputnik brought out the best in the American character. Rather than making excuses for losing the race to space, America, like Dean Beeley, said "touche," and went on to mobilize its talent, creativity and determination to create NASA. The rest is history. From Russia's accomplishment, came greatness, in our nation's response. We benefit, to this day, as we send astronauts from both countries to collaborate together on the space station.

Today, we face the danger of losing jobs to outsourcing to other nations that are concentrating on developing their technological capabilities and focusing on graduating more students in math, science and engineering. The greatest danger, however, is not the threat from other nations but that we become protective of the status quo and preoccupied about our losses, rather than giving new life to the American character — that of risking, imagining and believing in ourselves. No one can take away our dreams and hopes except ourselves.