Bad Economics: College degree’s & Income inequality

Pekelo · Feb 19, 2023

deaddog said:
As a tax payer I have difficultly rationalizing why I should pay so someone can get a degree

Just wait until you learn that as a taxpayer you pay farmers NOT to produce corn and shit. We could cut the military spending by 10%, probably would cover a big chunk of public colleges. Generally I don't like it when it is completely free because students/people don't appreciate free stuff.

But if a bunch of European countries can afford mostly free colleges, I don't see why the richest country couldn't...

deaddog · Feb 19, 2023

Pekelo said:
Just wait until you learn that as a taxpayer you pay farmers NOT to produce corn and shit. We could cut the military spending by 10%, probably would cover a big chunk of public colleges.

But why fund colleges at all? Shouldn't you invest in your own future?

Pekelo · Feb 19, 2023

deaddog said:
But why fund colleges at all?

Because a country needs doctors and teachers and some engineers too?

"Germans generally believe that education should not be treated as a commercial product, and that free access to higher education ensures economic growth and welfare for the greater population."

Those freaking Germans, with their crazy ideas. No wonder they started 2 world wars.

"In 2014, Germany's 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public German universities. This means that currently both domestic and international undergraduates at public universities in Germany can study for free, with just a small fee to cover administration and other costs per semester."

Countries in Europe with almost free colleges:

https://research.com/universities-colleges/european-countries-with-free-college#2

deaddog · Feb 19, 2023

Pekelo said:
Because a country needs doctors and teachers and some engineers too?

These are reasonably well paying jobs. (Not according to teachers) If education becomes free won't there be an influx of professionals. How is that working out in Germany?

Pekelo · Feb 19, 2023

deaddog said:
If education becomes free won't there be an influx of professionals. How is that working out in Germany?

The state controls the available spots, according to the country's needs. It is called planning.

deaddog · Feb 19, 2023

Pekelo said:
The state controls the available spots, according to the country's needs. It is called planning.

So your depending on government to do the planning. :banghead:

VicBee · Feb 19, 2023

deaddog said:
As a tax payer I have difficultly rationalizing why I should pay so someone can get a degree that will eventually lead to them getting a better paying job than I have.
College/University education is an investment in your future earning potential. Why should the public pay for that?

A college/university is a lot more than in an individual's future earning potential. It's gaining knowledge that is necessary for a business, it's a future tax contribution, it's a far lower risk of depending on government's welfare system. The knowledge gained may lead to scientific discoveries, intellectual or creative inspiration that all of society benefits from. A better educated nation is a sign of a healthy nation. Government should support education in the same way it supports healthcare, retirement, armed forces, research, infrastructures, etc

deaddog · Feb 19, 2023

VicBee said:
A college/university is a lot more than in an individual's future earning potential. It's gaining knowledge that is necessary for a business, it's a future tax contribution, it's a far lower risk of depending on government's welfare system. The knowledge gained may lead to scientific discoveries, intellectual or creative inspiration that all of society benefits from. A better educated nation is a sign of a healthy nation. Government should support education in the same way it supports healthcare, retirement, armed forces, research, infrastructures, etc

I can't argue with that. Government does support education up to the college level. If you want to go furthur it's up to you. The student loan program is a government initiative is it not.
I financed my education with loans, which I whined and cried about but eventually paid off.

VicBee · Feb 19, 2023

deaddog said:
I can't argue with that. Government does support education up to the college level. If you want to go furthur it's up to you. The student loan program is a government initiative is it not.
I financed my education with loans, which I whined and cried about but eventually paid off.

US high school education? Come on... that's the equivalent of 6th grade in Europe. It's so bad that kids have to take separate AP classes to go to college.
My argument stands though, you shouldn't have had to pay for your education. Australia has somewhat of an alternative. First, university is much cheaper than in the US but their solution is to charge the cost back to students once they are fully employed and as a % of their income.
Australia subsidizes the cost to Australians by charging foreign students full fee. In return, those foreign students obtain a work visa allowing them to stay in the country.

deaddog · Feb 19, 2023

VicBee said:
US high school education? Come on... that's the equivalent of 6th grade in Europe. It's so bad that kids have to take separate AP classes to go to college.

Canada the same thing. Really it's government subsidized child care

My argument stands though, you shouldn't have had to pay for your education. Australia has somewhat of an alternative. First, university is much cheaper than in the US but their solution is to charge the cost back to students once they are fully employed and as a % of their income.
Australia subsidizes the cost to Australians by charging foreign students full fee. In return, those foreign students obtain a work visa allowing them to stay in the country.

That makes sense.