Posted on 02/08/2017 7:29:17 AM PST by reaganaut1
One of the good aspects of federalism is that it allows states to go their own way. As Justice Louis Brandeis put it, they can be “laboratories of democracy.”
Unfortunately, that often means that interest groups will capture state legislatures and have their political allies push through foolish legislation that will harm most of the state’s residents while benefiting just a few – mainly their members. (That, incidentally, was true in the case that inspired Brandeis’ observation, New State Ice v. Liebmann. Fortunately, the majority ruled against Oklahoma’s scheme for cartelizing the ice business.)
Two states, New York and Rhode Island are about to indulge in a similarly foolish experiment, namely “free” college for most citizens.
During the hearings on President Trump’s just-confirmed nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, Senator Bernie Sanders asked, “Will you work with me and others to make public colleges and universities tuition free through federal and state efforts?”
That, of course, was an idea that he and Hillary Clinton supported in last year’s presidential campaign—that it would be great to make college free.
DeVos replied that the idea was “interesting,” but quickly added this fact that so often eludes politicians: “Nothing in life is truly free – somebody is going to have to pay for it.” Sanders acknowledged that, then went on to say that it “takes us to another issue.”
Too bad that she didn’t further enlighten Senator Sanders by pointing out that the federal government has no authority under the Constitution to make public colleges “free” or, for that matter, to control them in any way at all. Still, her answer made it clear that she doesn’t fall for the collectivistic notion that people shouldn’t have to pay for higher education.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
All they need is an endless supply of neutral wealth to exploit and a relatively small population.
That way they can live off the proceeds from selling to others, because transferring wealth within a closed system has inherent limits and only idiots (aka socialists) forget it as a rule.
Incidentally, this MIGHT be a line of logic for why it is wise to use tariffs and duties to support the government rather than income taxes, for the latter leech unproductively from the economy on which they depend while the former subsist by slowing the transfer of wealth out of a country.
Naturally a Limited Government and small government, rather than an Arbitrary Government demanding power in all circumstances whatsoever (as the federal presently does), greatly facilitates living within your means.
Tuition was free for Jr Colleges in California before the Democrats fully took over.
“Could work if the professors and administration agree to forgo compensation.”
Yes, and if that were to be the case, most of them would finally being paid what they’re actually worth.
a 4 yr Hospitality Degree from Harvaaard should get u the pick of any McDonalds in the nation!
PELL GRANT has been around for decades...50 yrs? Federal Grant program for college, and it pays all of community college for low income families. Depending on income, some get as much as $1000. back for books, etc. Universities are more expensive, but Pell grant can be used to lower that tuition cost.
I taught a community college, so I understand this. It is grant, that does not have to be paid back. Most states add a smaller grant in addition to the federal Pell Grant.
WHY, do Democrats try to take credit for something that already exists! Are they going to pay for those in upper middle class and rich to go to school too?
Does thos mean college staff will work for free?
Hahahaha. I know I know. It means the taxpayers will work extra hard.
that's not practical....professors should start at minimum wage and be allowed to compete against each other for the maximum salary of the average state wage of what ever state the college is in....
We have a version of free college in Georgia. But the taxpayers don’t foot the bill. We use the Georgia lottery. If a student graduates HS will a “B” average they get free tuition to GA state universities. We have had it for years and it works pretty well.
I graduated high school in 1970. The City University system of the City of New York had “open enrollment”. There was no tuition but you had to purchase your books and supplies. They had work study where got a job to offset to cover expenses for those books and supplies. Some kids worked on campus others off campus. I was lucky to have that and graduate with a degree. My kids are still paying their school loans. Now that truly sucks.
One reason we have so many violent revolutionaries is that we pushed low IQ people not capable of college level work into college, and they gravitated to easy X-studies degrees that trained them to be permanent activists.
Some get jobs in Human Resources at companies to track diversity metrics, some get jobs and non-profits, and many are permanently unemployed and thus available to march and riot - a situation their leaders support.
Get this- i read the other day that in schumer’s state, he wants to give free tuition- but by golly that isn’t even good enough for the gimmedats because they are complaining that they still have to pay room and board and buy their own books-
One thing never mentioned in these debates is that this “free” college usually just applies to tuition. At state Universities, like here in MA, this is usually a tiny percentage of the total bill. My son went to UMASS and was eligible for something like 25% off of tuition for having gone to a state community college his first two years. This ended up being only 25% of about $300 a semester out of a $5000/semester bill.
Something I found far more disturbing than than any slasher movie and far more shocking than any "edgy" performance art was the fact that apparently studies have shown that for quite a while the lowest IQs to graduate with a four year degree are those pursuing a degree in primary education.
That does explain much of the activism by teachers in gradeschools though.
As what happens to all “free” things, the costs will skyrocket, the number of slots will decrease, and eventually, only the children of politically connected people will be admitted.
Just like most things that you don’t have to work hard for. It will end up worthless.
My granddaughter is paying her way through graduate school right now.
That would be so incredible. We can pop some popcorn and watch it all unfold into the disaster that it will be. As long as we don’t have to bail them out, it’ll be fun to watch.
The Facts do not matter. It is the Narrative.
Try telling a “Progressive” that a Trade/skill is better for most than College.
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