I think Americans spend too much money on colleges and universities. We need to stop subsidizing them, at least to the extent that we are. If some post-pubescent, pimply-faced Einstein wants to study dead languages or 17th Century British authors, let him do it on his own dime. If he doesn't have a dime he can do what people decades ago did: Get a job and pay for it--one class at a time if necessary. If he can only afford to study Francis Quarles on the Seven-year Plan, then that's what he should do. It seems that the more we subsidize higher education with direct funding, grants, and cheap loans, the more schools charge, to the point that some former students spend decades paying off tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in debts. Meanwhile, how many tenured professors, researchers, and administrators live on the south side of the tracks with the common folk? How many rich kids are suffocating under mountains of loans?And if capitalism is so efficient and wonderful, then why can't the capitalists fund all of that applied research?
We need to get away from the idea that college is the best path to prosperity for the broad masses of society. Let's face it: There are a lot of kids today sitting in college classrooms who are just occupying space and only there because Mom and Dad expect it. Instead of starting blankly at the walls while the prof drones on about some inane (for most of us) subject like an unsolved eigenvalue equation, they'd probably be better off learning a trade. It seems as though we've gotten to the point in this society at which learning a trade is seen by many people as a pedestrian grind meant only for people with marginal intelligence, with almost no intrinsic worth except as a means to pay the rent and buy take-out every now and then.
Enough is enough.
To me college loans make a lot of sense as the person paying for your education is the person getting the most benefit from it (namely, your future self). I'm a college student and I don't believe most subjects that get derided so much by people for "practical" education are really bad, but at the same time, it makes sense that those receiving the benefit should pay the cost.
At first I agreed, but then I thought it through and I don't think I do anymore. It's not up to anyone to decide what programs are useful and what ones aren't, because none of them have the inherent promise of a good life after it. It all depends on the individual and how they use their education.
A lot of people are in college who simply aren't ready to be, or they are there because of external pressures. That brings down the quality of the programs, but the programs themselves are not inherently useless.
Yes, clearly what this country needs is less education.
why is it that any time anyone disagrees with throwing away tax money to subsidize some bull**** education program there is always some jackwad that jumps in and equates it to being against education in general?
We need to get away from the idea that college is the best path to prosperity for the broad masses of society. Let's face it: There are a lot of kids today sitting in college classrooms who are just occupying space and only there because Mom and Dad expect it. Instead of starting blankly at the walls while the prof drones on about some inane (for most of us) subject like an unsolved eigenvalue equation, they'd probably be better off learning a trade. It seems as though we've gotten to the point in this society at which learning a trade is seen by many people as a pedestrian grind meant only for people with marginal intelligence, with almost no intrinsic worth except as a means to pay the rent and buy take-out every now and then.
Enough is enough.
Contextually that's right, of course your being sarcastic.
The allocation of education resources is being misappropriated and wasted.
Which is causing a massive, year over year, price increase.
why is it that any time anyone disagrees with throwing away tax money to subsidize some bull**** education program there is always some jackwad that jumps in and equates it to being against education in general?
Agree with much of what you say. College is definitely not for everyone. And not because they're not smart. Because they don't see its intrinsic value unless they need college for their particular field of interest. When students don't care whether or not they go to college, well, they're just wasting seats for those who do care.
Re the trades, I wouldn't care what anyone thought about them with their pedestrian mindsets. Would hope those so inclined didn't give a damn either. We will always need tradespeople...plumbers, HVAC, electricians, carpenters, construction workers, garbagemen, junk dealers, movers, landscapers, house-cleaning services, repair technicians, handyman services, etc., etc. There are fortunes to be made in any one of those fields. And not one of them takes a college education.
The secret is the old maxim -- find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
This is true. We do need to spend the money better.
Why is it that any time people make a joke or sarcastic comment, there's always some jackwad who takes it literally? The dude I quoted above gets it. You did not.
my 24 y/o son works in HVAC, no college degree and he makes 2/3rds what I do with a MS in Chemical Engineering. College is not for everyone and I don't think the world would come to a freaking end if the tax payers stopped subsidizing idiots to get degrees in 14th century french architecture.
This is true. We do need to spend the money better. I don't think we should cut funding though, I'd rather keep tuition as low as possible so that more people have the opportunity for a good education.
Show me one school that has a degree in 14th century french architecture.
That education may be wholly unnecessary.
People are going to college because they think it's a requirement to earn a decent living, when that isn't necessarily true.
It's being reinforced by the local primary and secondary schools.
Things need to change.
I disagree. I think higher education is an important factor in social mobility. Yes, you can make a lot of money without going to college, but on average a college degree will improve your long-term financial situation. No, it's not necessary, but then again highways aren't necessary either.
Im pretty sure the original OP isnt against college. Its been proven that college isnt for everyone, the argument is against government subisdies for them. Its one of the reasons why college is expensive.
Im pretty sure the original OP isnt against college. Its been proven that college isnt for everyone, the argument is against government subisdies for them. Its one of the reasons why college is expensive.
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