t.j. rodgers doesn't like. he's the c.e.o. and founder of cypress semiconductor, a company that makes programmable chips that can be used in a variety of products, including l.e.d. lights and touch screen controllers. the company employs about 3,500 people; 1,000 of them in the u.s. rodgers says his company has weathered tough times before, on its own. >> so stop giving me the subsidies, which you take from me anyway by taxing me. just go away and let us spend our own money, and we will create the jobs. silicon valley is a miracle of job creation. we really don't need any government help to continue on with what we've done. >> reporter: but the federal government has historically played a major role in spurring innovation, says hancock. >> there's this mythology about silicon valley. people think silicon valley happened in a garage. yes, those are true stories. but the real story at silicon valley is that it was built with federal money. it was the vietnam war, it was the cold war, it was the moon shot. federal government need