Well, I wasn't arguing with you, that's for sure. I think you said it well when you said
"and *really* shows that *specific* skills and knowledge in education beats the generalized nonsense that passes for education these days. Some of that specific skills learning can happen outside traditional education, but a LOT of it (programming, engineering, math, sciences, doctor, lawyer, accountant, teacher, etc.) requires college."HOwever, I don't think you realize just how much these NON-COLLEGE educated, but skilled folks are making these days nor how the job market has huge demands for them versus the job market for most college-degreed folks.
You also said,
"I have a PhD and I still need to be learning new things every day to avoid becoming obsolete. If you are in a job that doesnt demand that of you, you can expect low-wage competition from any of: other unedereducated folks (immigrants), outsourcing, and/or automation."I agree with this for any level of education and/or skill. With the growth of technology exponentially for the past few decades, the learning curve also necessarily follows. In a nutshell, when one quits learning, one gets left behind no matter one's avocation.
To succeed in America, a white male has to be twice as capable as a member of any "historically disadvantaged group".
Fortunately, this is not difficult. ;)