'New Era of American Prosperity': Sanders Calls for Free Higher Ed for All

[n2doc]

by Deirdre Fulton,

"It is time to build on the progressive movement of the past and make public colleges and universities tuition-free in the United States," presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wrote in an op-ed on Thursday, saying such a move would "be the driver of a new era of American prosperity."

"In my view, education is essential for personal and national well-being," Sanders declared, elaborating on a key aspect of his populist platform. "We live in a highly competitive, global economy, and if our economy is to be strong, we need the best-educated workforce in the world. We won’t achieve that if, every year, hundreds of thousands of bright young people cannot afford to go to college while millions more leave school deeply in debt."

In his call to make higher education free for all, Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.), who is seeking the White House as a Democrat, noted that public colleges and universities are tuition-free in countries including Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Mexico. "They're free throughout Germany, too," he wrote, "and not just for Germans or Europeans but to international citizens as well."

"Governments in these countries understand what an important investment they are making," he continued, "not just in the individuals who are able to acquire knowledge and skills but for the societies these students will serve as teachers, architects, scientists, entrepreneurs and more."

more

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/10/22/new-era-american-prosperity-sanders-calls-free-higher-ed-all

[Gregorian]

1. We've effectively denied people the ability to progress. This is the biggest first step.

Universities are where progressive movements grow. We're up against an enemy that has even denigrated the term "progressive". The dark ages are behind us unless we want to relive times better left behind. What I'm saying is that when we grow, become stronger, reinvent ourselves, learn, become better versions of ourselves, the rest of society gains as well. There is no monopoly on goodness and creativity. What I'm really saying is we can be proud of being liberals, instead of shrinking from the eye-rolling authoritarians. Let's kick this age old paternalistic mess to the curb, and grow into a better country. It's not a dream. There is literally nothing stopping us except our own fear and cynicism.

[bluestateguy]

2. I mostly agree

But if a student goofs off in high school and gets bad grades, he or she should have no right to go to college.

[n2doc]

3. What about a tech college?

I have a colleague who 'goofed off and got bad grades' in HS. He ended up getting his act together, and became a Ph. D. scientist who had a long and very successful career.

I know another who spend his post HS years smoking pot and climbing rocks, until he decided to get his act together. He is now the director of a very high end science laboratory. One of the most brilliant people I have ever met.

We put far too much emphasis on having your shit together from an early age in this country, and I think we lose some of our best and most creative types because of it.