Obama to propose 2 free years of community college

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: onequestion

Oh there is. It's called making college more affordable. How dare anyone escape 4-year college debt by taking other routes that might be less expensive?

Don't you know the government needs to make it all "free" so that our universities become more or less as inconsequential as most of Europe's?

The main reason why America's workforce is falling behind is because of higher education. Most people don't want a 20 or 30 year mortgage when they get out of school. How do you propose the government make going to college cheaper? It wasn't the government that jacked the cost of going to college sky high the colleges did that on their own. If the universities in Europe are so inconsequential then why are companies here in the states bringing in those university graduates here to the states to work. Just because the education is free doesn't automatically mean it is bad you get out of it what you put into it.

originally posted by: Hefficide

Only in America could we find people who don't see the benefit of an educated youth. Sigh.

The main reason why they are acting this way is because Obama suggested it and everything he does is bad. Besides free higher education would go against the Republican agenda of keeping everyone stupid.

Why is it I get the feeling that this is a give away to Obama`s favorite constituency,the illegals?

originally posted by: Sunwolf
Why is it I get the feeling that this is a give away to Obama`s favorite constituency,the illegals?

I would say you are on the right path...this seems like the most likely reason behind this move. With all the reports of illegals not passing the written driving tests, someone has to educate them right?

Sure....let's tax the crap out of our citizens who actually work hard for what they earn to pay for those that don't.....talk about a divide.

originally posted by: buster2010

originally posted by: Hefficide

Only in America could we find people who don't see the benefit of an educated youth. Sigh.

The main reason why they are acting this way is because Obama suggested it and everything he does is bad. Besides free higher education would go against the Republican agenda of keeping everyone stupid.

I think most a worried the US goverment will cock it up and instead of getting high qualified workers they will just wast billions on a bunch of morons doing (insert Useless degree here ) study's.

If this was just for STEM degree ONLY and only for those who really cant afford it it would probably get more support.


But knowing the fedral goverment they will just cock it up like they did here in the UK.

Come on the US goverment is not exactly known for competence is it ? Republican or democrat.

originally posted by: crazyewok

originally posted by: buster2010

originally posted by: Hefficide

Only in America could we find people who don't see the benefit of an educated youth. Sigh.

The main reason why they are acting this way is because Obama suggested it and everything he does is bad. Besides free higher education would go against the Republican agenda of keeping everyone stupid.

I think most a worried the US goverment will cock it up and instead of getting high qualified workers they will just wast billions on a bunch of morons doing (insert Useless degree here ) study's.

If this was just for STEM degree ONLY and only for those who really cant afford it it would probably get more support.


But knowing the fedral goverment they will just cock it up like they did here in the UK.

Come on the US goverment is not exactly known for competence is it ? Republican or democrat.

What I would like to see is whatever study used that shows that 2 years of community college does something for someone looking for a job. There has to be a motive behind this and my guess it is trying to have a higher education for the US work force.

Unfortunately, I doubt there is much proof that 2 years of college does anything at all for a person looking for a job. Fact is, there are plenty of people with 4 year degrees that can't get a job.

Education in general needs an overhaul, it isn't the number of years you are educated, it is the quality of education you receive. Schools do not teach economics in grade school here...there is nothing taught to prepare anyone for the real world. It is all prep to go to a higher education college after...nothing through high school is taught to allow you to go out into the world and make something of yourself....silly I think.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

With all the reports of illegals not passing the written driving tests, someone has to educate them right?

Sure because anyone that can't pass a written drivers test can go right into college.

Sure....let's tax the crap out of our citizens who actually work hard for what they earn to pay for those that don't.....talk about a divide.

If you think you are paying high taxes now then you know nothing about paying high taxes.

originally posted by: buster2010
a reply to: Vasa Croe

With all the reports of illegals not passing the written driving tests, someone has to educate them right?

Sure because anyone that can't pass a written drivers test can go right into college.

Sure....let's tax the crap out of our citizens who actually work hard for what they earn to pay for those that don't.....talk about a divide.

If you think you are paying high taxes now then you know nothing about paying high taxes.

There has been nothing said about the type of education that would be received at these 2 year colleges....could be solely for illegals.....sure let's put them in grade school with children....same line of thinking I guess.....

And I have lived through both republican and democratic taxes if that is what you are referring to.....much rather have the taxes I used to have and the healthcare bill I used to have. Though I guess if you are under the cut you would have no idea what I am talking about.

Oh, and I failed to mention from the OP...it is supposed to save students $3800 in tuition? That's it? Sorry, but I think when people speak of student loans that are hard to pay, $3800 is a drop in the bucket.....now if it saved them $50K in tuition I could see this being a big deal.

$3800 isn't going to cut it.

a reply to: burdman30ott6 I thought a community college was like a trade school. I went to trade school for half days when I was in high school. It was zero cost to attend a trade school. Are community colleges the same thing?

originally posted by: Vasa Croe

originally posted by: crazyewok

originally posted by: buster2010

originally posted by: Hefficide

Only in America could we find people who don't see the benefit of an educated youth. Sigh.

The main reason why they are acting this way is because Obama suggested it and everything he does is bad. Besides free higher education would go against the Republican agenda of keeping everyone stupid.

I think most a worried the US goverment will cock it up and instead of getting high qualified workers they will just wast billions on a bunch of morons doing (insert Useless degree here ) study's.

If this was just for STEM degree ONLY and only for those who really cant afford it it would probably get more support.


But knowing the fedral goverment they will just cock it up like they did here in the UK.

Come on the US goverment is not exactly known for competence is it ? Republican or democrat.

What I would like to see is whatever study used that shows that 2 years of community college does something for someone looking for a job. There has to be a motive behind this and my guess it is trying to have a higher education for the US work force.

Unfortunately, I doubt there is much proof that 2 years of college does anything at all for a person looking for a job. Fact is, there are plenty of people with 4 year degrees that can't get a job.

Education in general needs an overhaul, it isn't the number of years you are educated, it is the quality of education you receive. Schools do not teach economics in grade school here...there is nothing taught to prepare anyone for the real world. It is all prep to go to a higher education college after...nothing through high school is taught to allow you to go out into the world and make something of yourself....silly I think.

No I agree 2 years of college doing some useless liberal arts degree probably does F all.


A bright and motivated kid who in high school gets persistent A's doing 2 years in a mathematics/Science will be different story. But that should be handled by buserys on a individual case by case basis not via carte blanche federal decree that allow anybody and everybody to get a free 2 years in whatever degree they choose.

You people that are against this free education disgust me!

"Oh well, who's gonna pay the tab?"
YOU , YES YOU ARE GOING TO PAY UNLESS YOU WANT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY

Your stupid selfishness and greed is EXACTLY what got the world in our problems and you can't find other solution than taking more away from the poor. It's not because YOU decided to take it hard in you behind or had help from family to get to where you are that you can just say that everyone that doesn't live by YOUR VALUES don't deserve anything.

I firmly believe that education is overrated and that it's INDOCTRINATION but that's how the stupid system works because people that FEEL like they worked their asses off to get what they have THINK THAT OTHERS haven't when they are poor. I have never seen a right wing thinker that wasn't pampered by their family or just got LUCKY and blame everyone else for not having those opportunities. Delusional!

If you want to blame someone, blame the people UP THERE not the victims of a DERANGED society. The system is SICK and if you feel that it's all good because YOU made it, well YOU are the one that's sick from believing in your own BS.

originally posted by: theMediator
You people that are against this free education disgust me!

"Oh well, who's gonna pay the tab?"
YOU , YES YOU ARE GOING TO PAY UNLESS YOU WANT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY

Your stupid selfishness and greed is EXACTLY what got the world in our problems and you can't find other solution than taking more away from the poor. It's not because YOU decided to take it hard in you behind or had help from family to get to where you are that you can just say that everyone that doesn't live by YOUR VALUES don't deserve anything.

I firmly believe that education is overrated and that it's INDOCTRINATION but that's how the stupid system works because people that FEEL like they worked their asses off to get what they have THINK THAT OTHERS haven't when they are poor. I have never seen a right wing thinker that wasn't pampered by their family or just got LUCKY and blame everyone else for not having those opportunities. Delusional!

If you want to blame someone, blame the people UP THERE not the victims of a DERANGED society. The system is SICK and if you feel that it's all good because YOU made it, well YOU are the one that's sick from believing in your own BS.

Rant much?

Sounds like you are one of those that really wants a free ride.....

Sorry, but I am tired of paying for others food, education, healthcare, etc....



As far as thinking that others haven't worked hard because they are poor....common misconception. Plenty of people work hard, plenty of people are poor. Plenty of people live above their means. Plenty of people have cable they can't afford. There are numerous luxuries that plenty of people that can't afford them, feel entitled to.

I choose not to want to pay for those. Case by case basis sounds about right to me. Prove to me you deserve money I made and I will help....don't take it from me and tell me you are going to distribute WHAT I WORKED MY A$$ OFF FOR to whomever YOU want.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

And it is attitudes like yours that are making the U.S. fall further and further behind other first world countries.

This was my post on the other thread:

Finland knows how to do it:


www.theatlantic.com...

Decades ago, when the Finnish school system was badly in need of reform, the goal of the program that Finland instituted, resulting in so much success today, was never excellence. It was equity.

Since the 1980s, the main driver of Finnish education policy has been the idea that every child should have exactly the same opportunity to learn, regardless of family background, income, or geographic location. Education has been seen first and foremost not as a way to produce star performers, but as an instrument to even out social inequality.

In fact, since academic excellence wasn't a particular priority on the Finnish to-do list, when Finland's students scored so high on the first PISA survey in 2001, many Finns thought the results must be a mistake. But subsequent PISA tests confirmed that Finland -- unlike, say, very similar countries such as Norway -- was producing academic excellence through its particular policy focus on equity.

That this point is almost always ignored or brushed aside in the U.S. seems especially poignant at the moment, after the financial crisis and Occupy Wall Street movement have brought the problems of inequality in America into such sharp focus. The chasm between those who can afford $35,000 in tuition per child per year -- or even just the price of a house in a good public school district -- and the other "99 percent" is painfully plain to see.

The problem facing education in America isn't the ethnic diversity of the population but the economic inequality of society, and this is precisely the problem that Finnish education reform addressed. More equity at home might just be what America needs to be more competitive abroad.

a reply to: kaylaluv

This has nothing to do with college......it is grade school. And guess what...our public grade schools are free as well. The OP is about college being paid for now. Sorry, but I am all for paying taxes to help kids to go to school, but when you hit 18.....figure it out...plenty of people do it successfully.

The problem with a lot of this is that everyone wants a handout and handouts just make them want more.....makes people lazy, and lazy is the last thing we need to add to in the US.

originally posted by: Vasa Croe
a reply to: kaylaluv

This has nothing to do with college......it is grade school. And guess what...our public grade schools are free as well. The OP is about college being paid for now. Sorry, but I am all for paying taxes to help kids to go to school, but when you hit 18.....figure it out...plenty of people do it successfully.

The problem with a lot of this is that everyone wants a handout and handouts just make them want more.....makes people lazy, and lazy is the last thing we need to add to in the US.

You didn't read the article. ALL education is free in Finland, including higher education.

The blistering irony is when a "student" gets an "education" and then joins a big company or becomes successful in their own business that gets criticized from every direction by the same people who pressed for the education standards.

What were people expecting?

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: Vasa Croe
a reply to: kaylaluv

This has nothing to do with college......it is grade school. And guess what...our public grade schools are free as well. The OP is about college being paid for now. Sorry, but I am all for paying taxes to help kids to go to school, but when you hit 18.....figure it out...plenty of people do it successfully.

The problem with a lot of this is that everyone wants a handout and handouts just make them want more.....makes people lazy, and lazy is the last thing we need to add to in the US.

You didn't read the article. ALL education is free in Finland, including higher education.

I did read the article and it mentions nothing of college. It talks about grade school and tests for 15 year old's and how there are no private schools and whatnot....nothing about college at all really.

Maybe I missed the paragraph where they did, but just looked back over it and there is no mention of college in there except that some of the people being referenced in the article have spoken or taught at a college.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

This notion may seem difficult for an American to digest, but it's true. Only a small number of independent schools exist in Finland, and even they are all publicly financed. None is allowed to charge tuition fees. There are no private universities, either. This means that practically every person in Finland attends public school, whether for pre-K or a Ph.D.

originally posted by: Answer
Great idea!

Let's do 4 things to fund this:

1) Crack down on people who are receiving disability checks/social security/welfare while still working. It's sickening how many people are milking the government tit while still working.

2) Require all welfare recipients that aren't disabled to attend the free 2 years of college. If they can't/won't/don't earn at least a 2.5 GPA, they're off welfare.

3) Mandatory drug and alcohol testing for welfare recipients. If they fail 2 tests, they're off welfare. If you have enough money for drugs and booze, you're not so bad off that taxpayers should be supporting you.

4) Legalize Marijuana and tax it to help pay for the 2 years of free education.

Excellent post. Outstanding. I would also note that welfare recipients names should be made available to the public. Sooo many people work the system. A friend couple of mine are working the system right now and it pisses me off because that is my money. They make 100k between the two of them.

I love the idea of offering 2 years free. They have to curb the amount of increase the schools will levy because we all know they will try to take advantage of it too. Also as incentive the 2 years are only free if you graduate or finish up your 2 years with a 2.5 GPA. If not you are on the hook for the bill.