Why shouldn't all education be free ??

[Scealle]

I am always amazed by the insane cost of Univeristies in the US including both the current private and public state universities.

Even though I myself like some of the universities in the North East like Boston, DC,NYC etc.

My sister and cousins all got their Education in England and lives/works there. They only paid a fraction of what most Americans paid for their degrees. England is already one of the more expensive countries regarding both tutuion costs and cost of living for all of europe.

Some countries like Germany and most of european countries have very high taxes and cost of living, but actually properly utilize their taxes to fund their schools and universities. Finland, Norway and Sweden also don't have tuition fees.

As far as I know Germany only charges about 300 Euros per semester for administration/student association fees of sorts which also includes a student-rail/public transport pass. You can use that to easily travel around the state you live in.

When I took a "guest" class organized by the univeristy last year, I met tons of Americans who are already enrolled in school there. In fact I think 60% of the people there are Americans/ Canadians.

Isn't it rather hypocritical that these people who are so against paying taying taxes to "fund" affordable education; they themselves are actually elsewhere "leeching"off the generous European "welfare state" countries

 

[Telstra]

^ Are you sure Americans can go to Europe to study for 300 Euros per semester ?

 

[kallipolis]

Here's a link that sets out in some detail the costs related to foreigners studying at a German public university.

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/how-much-does-it-cost-study-germany

 

[peeonme]

When it comes to universal higher education or health care much of our budget in the USA goes to the military to defend other nations that have universal health care and university.
http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2013/10/will-us-rebalance-its-contribution-nato/72281/
As of 2012 the USA was paying 72% of the cost of NATO and has mutual defense treaties with many nations, nations that have college and health care.

I for one am in favor of letting other countries pay their own way for a military in place of my country paying for it. Then we can put the money towards health care and college for all.

On top of that others could quit bitching that the USA tries to run other countries (they are right in many cases), we also need to end so called "free trade" and get our tax base back and put our people back to work.

 

[Latimer]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/free-college-dude-1468186208

Clinton's offer to millennials: subsidies now, higher taxes later.

(Sorry, didn't realize there was a paywall.)

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Because that would level the playing field.

 

[Latimer]

^
From the Journal editorial:

"...look for colleges to jack up tuition as Washington promises to pay for it.

"Consider what happened after the Obama Administration created supplemental Pell Grants that averaged $1,700. Between 2008 and 2010, spending on Pell Grants increased by nearly 120%. Tuition and fees jumped more in 2009 at non-profits (5.9%) and public four-year colleges (9.5%) than in any year during the past decade. Mrs. Clinton's tuition plan is another income transfer from the private economy to the academic class that overwhelmingly votes for Democrats."

 

[peeonme]

Because that would level the playing field.

The law of supply and demand kicks in, the more of any commodity we have (without an increase for it's need) the less it is worth.
At first we wouldn't feel the impact of an increase of doctors or other professionals, but we would inevitably reach a saturation point.
We would find a higher level playing field but it would be lower than it might have been without the supply increasing of the professionals.

In the trade I worked in (tool and die) in the "old" days a man had to be pretty bright and good at math, then training programs came along and many who should have never been near a blue print or a machine shop found themselves being pushed through programs and placed in jobs that brought down the standard of the industry.

I fear the same for higher education, not all are equipped to go that route.

 

[Scealle]

^ Are you sure Americans can go to Europe to study for 300 Euros per semester ?

Yep! Also met a lot of people from your country of OZY Also Latin America, Africa, Asia, ME etc.
Most of them are there for Graduate school though (Masters/PHD). They just have some language requirements or tests. The school system and syllabus is kinda complex so you really have to put a lot of effort into learning. BTW there’s no age limit at all so you can enroll too!

Here's a link that sets out in some detail the costs related to foreigners studying at a German public university.

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/how-much-does-it-cost-study-germany

I noticed that you are from Greece and I just want to say I love Greece! And Italy of course lots of good schools there (regardless of economy).