Education, it seems, has become one of the main foundations of American society. If a country innovates, it’s people must as well; that’s where college comes in. Since the dawn of the twenty-first century it has become more and more prevalent that the only way to truly be financially fit in an expanding economy is by obtaining a college degree. For some, this might not be as simple as it sounds due to the high price tags attached to diplomas. Today, many high-profile politicians argue that free higher education is necessary in a country that believes in promising futures of opportunity. Free college would raise the chances of lower income students reaching graduation, and provide relief to student loan debt, however, many argue that America
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The current financial state of the US is rocky, “With a national debt driving toward $20 trillion, [it] can't afford a new program totaling $450 billion” (Hoar 6). It is not news that American debt is a problem, and implementing a system that would provide free higher education could be detrimental. Although this plan could eventually pay itself off it is crucial that the government waits for the right time to instill a program like this. So, since the cost cannot be covered by the government alone the burden will fall on the shoulders of American taxpayers, “including the 70 percent or so of the American population without a college degree” (Hoar 2). An increase in taxes will obviously occur if free college is provided. The problem is that it could potentially have a reverse impact as a way larger chunk of one’s salary will go to the government than it does now. More financial freedom may end up as less financial freedom in the wake of increased taxes. The higher taxes will be distributed to the poor, potentially creating an increased poverty stricken population, unable to catch up with the contemporary …show more content…
Some offer other solutions such as, “taking the money currently being spent on federal vouchers, loan subsidies, and tax credits, and use it to create a new, j-driven federal grant program for states to subsidize higher education…the current financial aid system is complex and broken. Students are sold on a future they can't afford. The country deserves a complete rethinking to make colleges more affordable and accountable. What it doesn't deserve is for Washington to spend the next few years fruitlessly fighting over pragmatically challenged "free college" proposals.” (Palmer 3-4) When politicians argue free college is something that can take place in the United States right now, they’re doing more than just exaggerating. The college finance problem must be mended from the core, simply making it free will not fix anything. Remember, the money will have to come from somewhere. It is also important to think about what really would happen if everyone obtained a degree. Yes, the country would be smarter. But, if everyone had a college degree than would not its value be diminished? It’s important to recognize that the competition in the workforce will go through the roof as more and more people become educated. Plans from Clinton and Sanders have major flaws, “Which means the plan would actually reward states that have cut funding
The current financial state of the US is rocky, “With a national debt driving toward $20 trillion, [it] can't afford a new program totaling $450 billion” (Hoar 6). It is not news that American debt is a problem, and implementing a system that would provide free higher education could be detrimental. Although this plan could eventually pay itself off it is crucial that the government waits for the right time to instill a program like this. So, since the cost cannot be covered by the government alone the burden will fall on the shoulders of American taxpayers, “including the 70 percent or so of the American population without a college degree” (Hoar 2). An increase in taxes will obviously occur if free college is provided. The problem is that it could potentially have a reverse impact as a way larger chunk of one’s salary will go to the government than it does now. More financial freedom may end up as less financial freedom in the wake of increased taxes. The higher taxes will be distributed to the poor, potentially creating an increased poverty stricken population, unable to catch up with the contemporary …show more content…
Some offer other solutions such as, “taking the money currently being spent on federal vouchers, loan subsidies, and tax credits, and use it to create a new, j-driven federal grant program for states to subsidize higher education…the current financial aid system is complex and broken. Students are sold on a future they can't afford. The country deserves a complete rethinking to make colleges more affordable and accountable. What it doesn't deserve is for Washington to spend the next few years fruitlessly fighting over pragmatically challenged "free college" proposals.” (Palmer 3-4) When politicians argue free college is something that can take place in the United States right now, they’re doing more than just exaggerating. The college finance problem must be mended from the core, simply making it free will not fix anything. Remember, the money will have to come from somewhere. It is also important to think about what really would happen if everyone obtained a degree. Yes, the country would be smarter. But, if everyone had a college degree than would not its value be diminished? It’s important to recognize that the competition in the workforce will go through the roof as more and more people become educated. Plans from Clinton and Sanders have major flaws, “Which means the plan would actually reward states that have cut funding