George Lucas, the creator of the 'Star Wars' films, supports large investments in real-world research and development. Lucas visited legislators in Washington, D.C., to push for the preservation of America's technological competitiveness. There is growing interest and worry about the rise of new competitors in the technology field, especially China and India, and the issue is expected to be the focus of legislation in 2006. Lucas, who is generally not identified with political causes, visited Washington on a strictly nonpartisan basis, but appeared with Democrats during their announcement of a plan to train more scientists and engineers and give companies more incentives for investments in technology. Lucas also criticized Republicans, using metaphors from the 'Star Wars' environment and saying that Congress is irrelevant to 'the Empire.' Lucas has noted that he sees little difference between the two political parties in terms of their technology proposals, however. While House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi acknowledged the similarities in the proposals of the two parties, Representative John Boehner, the new House majority leader, criticized Democrats for offering the same old federal micromanagement options as always. Lucas, who was praised by Pelosi as someone who has always challenged old way of thinking, believes that education should be free for all, since free public education is what leads to innovation.