the standard, American theoretical response to an individual with a low standard of living is: "lack of talent is not the problem. lack of education is. these i

the standard, American theoretical response to an individual with a low standard of living is: "lack of talent is not the problem. lack of education is. these individuals simply need more education in order to access better opportunities." one might argue, on a national level, that because lack of education -- not talent -- is the true limiting factor, there are plenty of existing US residents who are capable of filling these jobs. the US can simply train from within and promote from within. at the same time, the standard American theoretical response for the lack of expertise and trained labor required to grow the companies is: "we can't find anyone here who can do the job. period. we absolutely have to import people from foreign countries." one might argue, on a national level, that there's no point in spending government money to further the education of US residents. they'll never be able to do the work anyway. instead, America might as well write these people off and import different people who already have the talent, expertise, training, education. don't these ideas contradict each other? which theory is right?