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| Yes | 67% | 588 votes | Total: 883 votes | |
| No | 33% | 295 votes |
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Add to FavoritesMost definitely yes, just as soon as the student serves a period of time in service to their nation.
I think the government should pay for every child's college education if they want one and if they don't want to go to college then the government should pay for them to go to a trade school. I'll even be glad to pay higher taxes to accomplish this because I will save a ton of money in other ways. Let me explain.
If every child graduating from high school was required to serve either in the armed forces, the peace corp, VISTA or some other type of service oriented organization they they should earn benefits for college just like the GI Bill. It would actually make sense for several reasons, especially the male half of our nation.
1. Crime would go down, way down because most crimes are committed by males between the ages of 18-25. The military would not put up with their crap and they would find themselves doing hard labor real quick and they would actually serve ten years if they got ten years. For the most part those individuals who would be the predators in the outside world wouldn't have the chance nor the motivation to continue those type of activities. They would be in the same boat as everybody else and the group would control them because their actions would affect the group and the group don't like being punished for one persons failures. They would learn discipline, respect and order. They would also actually learn a trade. They would receive some of the absolute best training on earth. They would learn their trade or occupation in such a way that they would eventually be able to take over as leaders and they will know their occupation inside and out or they won't be allowed to lead. Their learning is a gradual process that at the time they are able to lead they will have the confidence and ability to lead. They can then take these same skills back to the civilian world and make a decent living and they will have respect for others. I will save money because my insurance rates will have to go down if all these idiots are off the streets and not stealing and breaking into places or running us over in drive-by shootings.
2. Ninety percent of the insolent, rude, uncaring, me first generation, will no longer exist because they will have to learn how to put others before themselves. They will gain self-respect, discipline and a feeling of accomplishment. I save money again because I don't have to pay for their stupidity anymore.
3. When things happen that affect this country maybe the whole country will get together and "get it done", not just a few people who happen to be in the thick of things. We will all be in the thick of things because whatever it is, it will affect all the families in the country. There will be no select few who don't have to care because nobody in their family is involved. I save money because maybe we'll fix whatever the problem is quicker therefore cheaper.
4. In the event of a total all encompassing war we will have enough folks with at least the basic knowledge to effectively defend this country. It may take a little more training to update them on things but they will already have the basics and we could field a large amount of troops in a minimum amount of time.
5. When they complete their service requirement and come home to the real world they aren't going to want to put up with a bunch of whining babies who think the world owes them something. They will help to straighten these people out real quick.
6. They get to continue their education on our dime and they become more productive citizens, consumers and savers. Good for the economy.
See what a good idea it is.
Learn more about this author, Foxbaron.
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No
Anyone considering going to higher levels of education should not expect "the government" to help pay their college expenses. "The government" may find that it is beneficial to subsidize some students for a variety of reasons: special merit (high academic achievement, previous service to the community), special circumstances on the part of the student or special needs of the local community (teachers, doctors or other skills). But routine subsidies to all students would divert public funds from other needs such as law enforcement, infrastructure and other needs.
The government already helps pay college expenses through indirect means. State legislatures and city councils already provide a significant portion of the operating budgets of the schools in their communities. They often provide services such as fire departments, medical assistance and police protection for the schools and their students. State governments often provide funds for academic research which provides funds for both professors and graduate students. While the money isn't given to individual students, these contributions are not trivial and often provide more funds to operate the schools than the tuition received from the students.
College tuition and expenses are significantly higher than they were ten or twenty years ago. The increasing cost of higher education is a legitimate cause for concern, but solving the matter through government subsidies of individuals may not be the best solution for the country in the long run. Countries in Europe that provide low cost college education also have significantly higher tax rates which lower incomes across the board, even for those who do not go to college. Because the government pays the bill, there is also less incentive to find better ways to provide the education at lower cost, so the system never changes.
In contrast, in the U.S., there are market driven approaches to providing a sound, affordable education. There are internet based courses and local community colleges providing the lower level undergraduate courses at lower cost. While the education gained in this way doesn't have the classic 'four years at an ivy covered campus' look and feel, there is every indication that the results are nearly the same. In addition, there are many corporations, large and small, that contribute funds for employees to continue their education because it makes good business sense to do so. Again, going to 'night school' might not be as idyllic and romantic, but it seems to meet the needs of many and help them launch successful careers.
There are many ways to fund a college education. Expecting the government to subsidize individuals through use of taxes is the least attractive option: government handouts are inefficient and affect all taxpayers whether or not they benefit from the use of the funds.
Learn more about this author, Gary O'Neill.
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