Why not government paid college for the 1st 2 years? (generation, premium, border)

[migee]

I am a strong believer that at least 2 years of college for all that will do the work should be available for free.

Years ago this was the situation in NYC - even up to 4 years. And it produced many people that contributed much back to society as a whole.

I understand that about 5.5 million people are attending 2 years schools - If we allow about $8,000/year it would total about $45 Billion - A lot less than some of the other bailouts and wasted projects that this country pays.

It's an investment in the country's future.

[texdav]

I don't see a problem with one semester. After that if they don't perform ;I say they should be kicked out for want of a better word. In high school I feel the same about thsoe who cause problems and don't come to learn.They do more harm to others who want to learn than any good they get really.

[dspguy]

In my opinion, one of the greatest burdens that the younger generation (whether it be the current generation of students or the following generation of students) is facing is the steep cost of college tuition. I'd argue that medical insurance premiums do not rise as fast as school tuition.

Students these days come out of college with a mortgage's worth of debt. Its a bit hard to get a leg up on life. They've been force-fed this idea that college is a necessity and that things are easier with a college degree. There might be some truth to both of those, but neither are absolutes.

College should be free/greatly discounted for those with merit. Merit that has to do with academics (or sports and academics for scholar athletes) and not with quotas. Those that show an aptitude in their studies, continue for free. Those that don't show as much promise, can continue if they pay.

I remember reading an article in Time a few years ago about how Harvard has enough money in its trust fund to convert the school into a tuition-free institution. The interest alone from their trust fund would cover all costs... and they'd still turn a profit from that interest. But, unfortunately, education is a business here in America.

[GregW]

I go a step further than the two years. Provide a "free" education including tuition, room, food and books (but not beer or pocket money) for as long as the student maintains a C+ or better grades. After graduation the person pays a 5% to 10% surcharge on their income tax for the rest of their life. Military veterans don't have to pay anything back. Kind of a buy now and pay forever plan. I know I would have thought it would have been a great deal.

[semperarmati]

Originally Posted by migee

I am a strong believer that at least 2 years of college for all that will do the work should be available for free.

Years ago this was the situation in NYC - even up to 4 years. And it produced many people that contributed much back to society as a whole.

I understand that about 5.5 million people are attending 2 years schools - If we allow about $8,000/year it would total about $45 Billion - A lot less than some of the other bailouts and wasted projects that this country pays.

It's an investment in the country's future.

Lunacy, sheer lunacy. Most people aren't even college material. Just another moronic idea to squander tax-payer dollars.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by GregW

I go a step further than the two years. Provide a "free" education including tuition, room, food and books (but not beer or pocket money) for as long as the student maintains a C+ or better grades. After graduation the person pays a 5% to 10% surcharge on their income tax for the rest of their life. Military veterans don't have to pay anything back. Kind of a buy now and pay forever plan. I know I would have thought it would have been a great deal.

Would the payback be the same, whether the student graduates or drops out? That would not seem fair.

If the student graduates, one could presume that his enhanced income potential would pay back the additional taxes without the surcharge. If a student enrolls for only one semester, and drops out, would he be locked into the same lifetime tax surcharge as the student who stays the whole four years and graduates? In other words, both would be committed to the same payback?

Every other country in the world has figured out how to do this. Why is the USA so retarded about everything, and I mean everything?

If it is to the general advantage of the whole USA to have the most capable people getting the maximum education, why is there such a problem expecting the whole USA pay the cost of it? It's a classic example of the entire society refusing to pay the cost of something that benefits the entire society. The nation as a whole is acting like the most childish of its individuals, demanding that only the immediate and visible beneficiaries pay the entire cost of something that helps everyone.

[Omaha Rocks]

We don't value what has cost us nothing.


Besides, we're already at the point where most 4-year degrees are practically worthless. Millions of kids have college degrees and are still stupid. Why should the government (taxpayers) pay to have millions more stupid and uneducated college graduates running around?


What's the first thing a graduate with a degree in Philosophy usually says? "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

[Memphis1979]

No investment is better, than education. For every dollar we spend on grants, we get 10 dollars back for the investment.

That said, not everyone is ready for college.

This is why I have been advocating an expansion of the GI Bill. Saying, that if you serve a minimum of two years, your first two years of college would be paid for, in full. If you serve 4, you get 4 years paid, in full, and so forth and so on.

That would relieve some of the strain on our military, it could help to secure the border (use the "non combat ready" people to secure the border), and it would help to cure the obesity problem we have here in the states.

[Houston3]

Originally Posted by migee

I am a strong believer that at least 2 years of college for all that will do the work should be available for free.

Years ago this was the situation in NYC - even up to 4 years. And it produced many people that contributed much back to society as a whole.

I understand that about 5.5 million people are attending 2 years schools - If we allow about $8,000/year it would total about $45 Billion - A lot less than some of the other bailouts and wasted projects that this country pays.

It's an investment in the country's future.

""Why not government paid college for the 1st 2 years?""

Because the Government has no money of its own.... It all belongs to the tax payers...

[Houston3]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

No investment is better, than education. For every dollar we spend on grants, we get 10 dollars back for the investment.

That said, not everyone is ready for college.

This is why I have been advocating an expansion of the GI Bill. Saying, that if you serve a minimum of two years, your first two years of college would be paid for, in full. If you serve 4, you get 4 years paid, in full, and so forth and so on.

That would relieve some of the strain on our military, it could help to secure the border (use the "non combat ready" people to secure the border), and it would help to cure the obesity problem we have here in the states.

It it's the southern border they had better be combat ready....