Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Can somebody explain the rationale for Amy Klobuchar? [View all]Straw Man
(6,623 posts)122. As an insider in academia ...
... I feel competent to offer my opinion that college is, by and large, a racket. It is marketed as the sine qua non to material and social success, and is priced accordingly. Despite the pretense to ivory tower altruism, higher education is a business, pure and simple, and a rather rapacious one at that.
The truth is other advanced nations provide for higher education, just as they--and we--do for education through high school. Is there a fundamental difference I am not seeing?
The difference in my experience -- which derives mainly from living and teaching in Japan for eight years -- is that other advanced nations provide free higher education to a much smaller group of competitively selected students. Those that don't qualify as university material are channelled into vocational education. I see the American system, on the other hand, as plagued by a kind of false egalitarianism that holds out the promise of a bachelor's degree for everyone but poisons it with huge debt burdens and an educational experience that increasingly lacks rigor.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
129 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
There are plenty of more moderate Democrats and they prefer her approach to policy.
W_HAMILTON
Feb 2019
#1
In total agreement. College is overpriced and overvalued. Trade schools for most of us.
erronis
Feb 2019
#103
That doesn't sound like what she is saying, which is that free healthcare for all, is not an
OnDoutside
Feb 2019
#29
It's quite similar to what Obama has said about the history of the US has been
OnDoutside
Feb 2019
#84
IMHO the majority of people in the US are ready for a government that actually helps them
ProfessorPlum
Feb 2019
#86
It would be great but I fear some of the Democrats haven't thought this one out. For example, I
OnDoutside
Feb 2019
#87
that's good - it sounds like there might be a policy consideration in there
ProfessorPlum
Feb 2019
#15
Gabbard couldn't win a national election in this or any other universe.
The Velveteen Ocelot
Feb 2019
#25
It is, but some don't have the privilege to live with her views regarding gay Americans
themaguffin
Feb 2019
#124
Tulsi has about as much of a chance of winning the nomination as I do.
bearsfootball516
Feb 2019
#36
It got us a feminist healthcare pioneer who won our primary then got 3 million more votes
Maru Kitteh
Feb 2019
#118
I'm afraid a 98 would leave you grossly over-qualified. Much like "Not Sure"
Maru Kitteh
Feb 2019
#121
I'm guessing at this point, you'll simply avoid doing any research on your own in regards to her.
LanternWaste
Feb 2019
#55
In last night's town hall on CNN, she called climate change a "Day One Priority"
DesertRat
Feb 2019
#45
She's far from my first choice but that characterization is grossly unfair
DemocratSinceBirth
Feb 2019
#34
For me, if I were to support her, it would be in large part because I'm...
TreasonousBastard
Feb 2019
#30
Because it'll be fun to try and watch the "BUT NOT THAT WOMAN" types try to derail her
RhodeIslandOne
Feb 2019
#66
When I read that she threw a binder at a staff member (which she didn't deny), and
50 Shades Of Blue
Feb 2019
#102