Germany has long shown far greater foresight than the United States in the investment into science, infrastructure, and alternative energy — investments that are now giving the country huge returns as a leading economic system. With a decision of Lower Saxony, the German have now shown precisely how serious they are about keeping the country as one of the most educated in the world: they have eliminated all college and university tuition. The Germans view education as not just a right, but an essential component for continued growth.
There are critics to educational subsidies who raise some good-faith issues of how such payments can eliminate pressure to make efficient choices and actually drive up costs. I actually see value to students paying some tuition. However, with tuition sky rocking in the United States and falling enrollment numbers, the United States is heading to a reckoning in the future for our lack of investment in our workforce. While we have spent trillions of dollars on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (and just renewed our commitment to the later to keep forces in the country), we have continued to cut environmental, scientific, educational, and infrastructure investments. The inevitable result is that we will continue to drop in our competitiveness in the world market and the future economy. Every other country is investing heavily in education while the United States continues to be distracted by shiny objects with more immediate political benefits for politicians.
What is striking is that it is not just third world countries that are investing heavily education, but economic leaders like Germany.
Notably, tuition was only introduced in Germany in 2006 after the German Constitutional Court ruled that limited fees do not violate the country’s commitment to universal education. However, the tuition rates proved unpopular and the country is now tuition free. Of course, there is no such thing as free tuition. The taxpayers are footing the bill. Moreover, such government subsidies can have a negative impact on not just the choices of students (who feel less pressure to make efficient choices) but on schools which are dependent on the government.
Nevertheless, the contrast could not be greater with the United States in terms of the commitment to education as not just a right (as it is in Germany) but as a real national security priority.
The article below has an interesting discussion of how England rejected the free tuition approach but has lost more money due to the higher student default rate on tuition. Yet, the English students face a maximum debt load of $14,550 per year where U.S. tuition rates and debt are soaring. Student loan debt in our country now stands at $1.2 trillion.
Of course, that is less than a third of the costs for the wars, but no one is making such comparisons.
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2014/10/01/3574551/germany-free-college-tuition/
David and DBQ, I didn’t hire employees even though I needed them for probably 2 years. The regulations and govt. expense stopped me from doing it. But, I was turning down too many cases and finally did. I had 6 employees @ my peak. I had to retain a bookkeeper and CPA to handle all the govt. horseshit. Now, there are a couple of professions that shutter when they hear “flat tax.”
Nope. Take all the time you need. If you hadn’t answered at all it would have actually provided the same conclusion. Thanks
Olly
Did I keep you waiting? So sorry. Perhaps you’d be kind enough to give me a time limit next time so I’ll know whether I’ve time for a sandwich or a trip to the library before I incur your displeasure.
That’s what I thought. Thank you Doc.
Olly,
I reject their conservative political philosophy and associations.
And Erik Prince.
Really, David, are you comparing government involvement in Somalia with government involvement in the US? Without the structure the US offers, we might as well be in Somalia, that’s the point, and it is relevant.
The issue is not really the system of government, it is the stability of the structure. Iran is called fascist and uses shariah law, but because its structure is stable, business can thrive there. Heck, anywhere one sells and one buys, as long as one is offered a safe structure through which to buy and sell, one can find success. Even Saudi Arabia.
The strength of the US is that it offers both a system and recourse, the most effective forms of each around the globe.
Look, no one doubts that the government can be heavy handed at times, matter of facts, most times. But it is apparent to most of us that it is a necessary evil. And bringing in the liberal democrats is another fallacious argument, David. While you are calling for deregulation and the like, corporations, big business is taking advantage of our communal riches (whether labor, resources, environment and even the economy) and making sure to write the laws that benefit them.
The tax code is written by those with the means and power to buy your leaders. If it is written for you in mind, you will benefit from it, if not, then obviously you won’t.
The liberals are not doing anything that the republicans aren’t, they just have more human decency in that they are aware of the plight of the poor and are intent on giving them a break.
Republicans keep advocating for big business, when such businesses, like Walmart, cut health benefits for 30000 people. and where do you think those people will find healthcare? Yes, at the ER.
And such businesses, like Koch industries, which now paid for and fully owns the republican party, along with half of the supreme court, are directly responsible for many of the laws and policies that rob this country of the money it should be getting. This http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/inside-the-koch-brothers-toxic-empire-20140924 is what you should be complaining about. In light of this, how can the government not be stringent in its rules and regulations? Does it even have a choice?
po – I have got to ask where are the liberals or Democrats giving the poor a break? Please explain at length, which I know you can. Because I think this one we are going to go around and around on. 😉
Still waiting on the “bad” list for Hillsdale Doc. it should take you just a moment to back up your statement.
Jim22
Actually the first people to scream if doctors no longer need to be licensed (a spectacularly bad idea) will be all the medical schools, hospitals and the licensed doctors.
Do you want to take a second swing at that one?
Docmadison,
You had some “bad” things in mind with regard to Hillsdale College; what are they?
Dusty,
I’ve not put words in your mouth. I’ve asked questions. They are another way of looking at your issues. Today, in my view, those questions had a happy result.
You said you did not imply that there was no value in mandated certifications
I hoped to get such a response.
You said many hurdles and so forth are legitimately there to protect the public.
You noted the need for a shield of protection for an investor.
Again, I hoped to get such a response.
Thank you.
And I agree that some government fees are simply a means of raising revenue. Since I think taxes are necessary and I’m willing to pay for social services, it doesn’t make me crazy.
You have done well, have financial stability and have given your children many opportunities. That is a wonderful thing and I am happy for you and your family.
Complaints seem misplaced. Just my view.
david2575 – “because of their greed for the wealth of those who have been successful.”
David, how about instead of “greed”, we use jealousy, contempt or envy instead?
DBQ, I agree with what you say but just let me challenge you on this.
“Many of these hurdles and so forth are legitimately there to protect the public. I certainly don’t want to have an unlicensed uncertified Doctor working on my person or prescribing medications. However, many of those costs, fees etc are just there to squeeze money out of the small business person. AND many of them are put in place by lobbyist from big industry and the unions to prevent the small player from being able to enter the system.”
Why does a Dr. with a license or diploma make you fell better? Suppose there are two town doctors. One has been around for decades and lives in the town and everyone uses him but he has no license to practice. He learned on his own and through the doctor that he worked for. The other doctor is fresh out of college and is licensed but partied late, skated by in his classwork but has little to know common sense knowledge. Who would you choose? Just because the govt. has put a label on something doesn’t mean it is any better than items without their label. If we really feel our govt. is incompetent, which it has quite a history to back that claim up, than certs, labels, licenses are really just there to make the govt. loving lemmings feel good.
@ docmadison
I never said anything like what you are implying in your 1:42 post. I wish that you would cease putting words into my mouth and actually read the words that have written without filtering it through your agenda.
I am in response to Dredd.
Merely pointing out that there are different business entities. Some of which require filing and fees and others that do not.
Pointing out that some of the business entities are set up so as to encourage groups of investors to do business and offer the shield of protection between the liabilities of the business entity and the personal assets of the investor. If there was not this shield, would you invest in a mutual fund or buy stock in Chevron? Not likely.
Pointing out that there are various TYPES of businesses. Some of which require licensing, fees and in the case of my prior occupation continuing education and continual certifications. All of which are government mandated costs to a business. I did not imply that there was no value in those. Just that they are costs of doing business.
Also pointing out the other costs and paperwork hurdles required by the government when you are also a resaler or dealer.
Many of these hurdles and so forth are legitimately there to protect the public. I certainly don’t want to have an unlicensed uncertified Doctor working on my person or prescribing medications. However, many of those costs, fees etc are just there to squeeze money out of the small business person. AND many of them are put in place by lobbyist from big industry and the unions to prevent the small player from being able to enter the system.
I’m at work billing my customers and filing my quarterlies right now so I don’t have time to research this for you.
Fortunately Docmadison, the FCC still allows you the opportunity to “free associate”.
“Does give one a starting point when considering the link and excerpt Olly published.”
Do people with critical-thinking skills need to establish a starting point before reviewing the article? You survived the attack on your intellect but it does seem rather arrogant to believe others won’t be able to come away unscathed by the piece.
In your opinion, what “bad” comes from Hillsdale? Is it that they don’t accept any federal funds? Perhaps it’s the free online education they offer?
Olly,
Save the business of ‘governmental thumbs’ for your next lecture at Hillsdale. The kids will suck it right up.
Hillsdale College. Very interesting institution. Some things good – some things bad (my worldview, fellows)
Clarence Thomas, Mark Styn, Margaret Thatcher, Erik Prince, Heritage Foundation, National Review, Weekly Standard are things that come to mind while free associating.
Does give one a starting point when considering the link and excerpt Olly published.
“Weeping Ingrates”?
Why all the hostility Docmadison? Just because you’ve become accustomed to the thumb of government doesn’t mean that acquiescence is acceptable to those that prefer to reject a life of dependency. Defend your administrative creation all you want but by all means show some restraint towards your fellow citizens when we express a disdain for the bureaucratic state. If you need government to control your life then have some respect for federalism and limit your demands to whatever state you choose to live in.
Dusty,
Do you see that there is some need to ensure that a plumber knows what he is doing? We don’t have to convince you about the need for sanitary, efficient safe plumbing, do we?
LLC, etc. provide a shelter to guard your money. How ’bout that?! When you make a big mistake and hurt someone, the government will make it hard for that person to come along and sue you and take all your worldly goods. It also entitles you to a lot of tax deductions.
Everybody chill – quit your whining as the Amazing Kreskin would say. You all are living the American Dream and have not been driven into penury.
Weeping Ingrates.
Dang…it worked. Too easy. Darren, please delete both my comments…they are just silliness. Thanks.
Just a test to see if I can mock up a pseudonym and post nonsense