Great Potential

<p> Many Americans are wondering (and maybe worrying) about the impact of the growing Latino population. That's not surprising: in 1970 there were only 9 million Latinos (4.5% of the nation's population) but today they're fifty million strong-and by 2050 that number is projected to grow to ninety-five million. So maybe it's time to reflect on this important trend not by isolating Latinos but by considering their role within the larger national context.</p><br/><p> Much of the nation's attention has centered on immigration or more specifically illegal immigration. That's unfortunate because there is a much greater story here. The more interesting issues are who is going to pay for Medicare Social Security and other costs of an aging society and how as a nation do we continually replenish the workforce with people who have the necessary skills to compete in an increasingly competitive world.</p><br/><p> For the United States part of the answer is its Latino population the nation's youngest and fastest-growing minority which has shown a strong work ethic and the desire to move up the socioeconomic ladder like previous populations. For Latinos the challenge is this: how to enhance their education levels and skills in order to be relevant in the information economy and meet the needs of the modern workplace at a time when federal state and local budgets are strained if not declining.</p><br/><p> This book explains why an aging America needs Latinos. While it looks in-depth at the economic forces we're facing it focuses on strategies Latino families and communities throughout the nation can adopt to build a better future for themselves and the nation.</p>