Here’s food for thought . . . In a nation of immigrants, it is time we updated our nation’s broken immigration system.

In true Silicon Valley fashion, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group is employing technology to reach out to Washington law-makers about the need for smart, thoughtful immigration reform.  Joining with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, VC Ron Conway and others, we have collectively launched  ”March For Innovation,” engaging Americans to contact their representatives in Congress to ensure that immigration reform captures the innovators and entrepreneurs who have fueled so much of Silicon Valley’s success.

Consider the following:

* Every foreign-born advanced degree graduate from a U.S. university who stays and works in America creates – on average – nearly 3 additional American jobs.

* More than 40 percent of fortune 500 companies were founded by an immigrant or child of an immigrant.

* Countries like Canada, England and Australia all provide visas to foreign-born entrepreneurs.  The U.S. often educates these entrepreneurs, then turns them away to compete against us.

Join us for our “Virtual March on Washington” to protect and grow Silicon Valley’s innovation economy.  Simply go to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group web site at svlg.org, or learn more at marchforinnovation.com.

Let’s not waste this opportunity. America’s time for immigration reform is now. Silicon Valley can and must lead the way.

Here’s food for thought . . . In life and in politics, both the message and the messenger matter.

Last week, we were in Washington D.C. with 12 CEOs, but this is not your typical group of Silicon Valley executives.

With the solid support of Silicon Valley bank and Virgin America, we brought to D.C. 12 CEOs and founders of Silicon Valley startups.

All in their 20s or early 30s, these CEOs are innovators and entrepreneurs that help fuel America’s innovation economy – in med-tech, clean-tech, high-tech and venture capital.

Most job creation in the United States comes from innovation economy startups.  It is no surprise that most of our innovation also comes from startups.

That’s why we invested the week meeting with key members in the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Administration.  Focusing on immigration and education, these startups are adding their voices to the national dialogue on immigration reform.

Our twin goal is simple yet significant – we need an education system to grow the best and brightest from around our nation, and an immigration system to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

The message matters – as do the messengers.  We believe the voices of these young entrepreneurs will be heard.

Here’s Food for Thought . . . Serious times require substantive leaders.

In 1862, the North was losing the Civil War. America’s economy was in shambles and many wondered if the nation would survive.

Yet under the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln, the 37th Congress rose to the tasks that faced our fledgling nation:

• First, President Lincoln insisted that the dome above the capitol continue to be constructed. Some wanted to divert the steel to the war effort.  He wanted to show symbolically there would still be a nation when the war was over.

• Then, Congress passed the Morrill Act, establishing America’s system of public universities.

• They passed the Homestead Act, opening up affordable land across the West.

• They passed the Pacific Railroad Act, to construct the Transcontinental Railroad.

• They established the National Academy of Sciences, which still serves our nation today.

Tough times.  Tenacious leadership.

A message to Washington, D.C. Rise to the occasion. Grapple with important issues like immigration reform, tax reform, the debt and deficit, and create a climate in which we can keep and create jobs. It takes leaders – and that is the role to which we elected you.

Here’s Food For Thought . . . treat us like adults.

The presidential election is still three months away, and both major political parties are already treating voters like children, sending out messages that tear us down rather than communicate solutions that lift us up.

A message to both the Obama and Romney campaigns: Voters are smarter than you think. We want leaders who will engage in complex conversations rather than speeches in sound bites.

Let’s start with global competition. The Obama campaign inaccurately attacks employers trying to compete globally as “Shipping American jobs overseas.”  The Romney campaign inaccurately counter-attacks that the president employs “Crony capitalism to companies overseas.”

Enough.

This is Silicon Valley. Companies, large or small, have facilities, equipment and people around the globe because customers and markets are located around the globe.

We know that 95 percent of the world’s population, 95 percent of the world’s markets, are outside of the United States. You cannot compete in those markets without business operations in or near those markets.

President Obama and Governor Romney, you’re both smart and successful people. Elevate the debate. Complex issues deserve more than sound bite solutions based on fear – rather than facts.

Trust voters.  We’re smarter than you think.