Obama's plans for College Tuition

[Professor_Adam]

Others have expressed this sentiment more eloquently than I am about to, but here's my concern:

Human nature being what it is, it is difficult, and for most people impossible, to value something you have not earned. If you save all your nickels for a year and buy a bicycle--that bicycle has much more value than the one your parents bought for you. The bicycle that was earned is certain to be more greatly appreciated, will be better maintained and protected and, overall, will just have greater meaning. Anyone think I'm wrong?

Now, you might say that you were always appreciative of gifts and valued them--and maybe you were. I promise you that you are the exception to the rule.

You also might say that the education credits are, in fact, "earned" by successfully completing school and completing the community service. Maybe. However, currently people have to cough up big money or go into debt to obtain traditional college degrees--particularly Bachelors and up. So, since they are bearing the costs themselves (now or later) we should expect a good result. People should be motivated to work extra hard and finish, right? If the statistics are to be believed, that's not the case. Graduation rates are laughably low. Are they running out of money? Maybe some are--but I suspect most are running out of patience, desire, discipline and determination. Do you think having the government subsidize higher education to this extent will restore patience, desire, discipline and determination?

It's interesting to see so many forum members express views that are clearly conservative in nature. Did everybody here forget to vote back in November? :eek: