Flipping The Script: Questions For Sanders Supporters

[Corporate666]

47. Too many people don't understand...

Large systems like the US economy can't tolerate big changes without far-reaching repercussions, many of which aren't understood until it's too late.

If we make public college free, people think that it will be just as it is now, except you won't pay for public schools. That is wrong. There are some results we can count on:

1) Enrollment will skyrocket
2) That will cause them to have to be extremely selective in who they accept

Who will choose to pay $100-150k for a private school when they could go to a public school for free? Very, very few - only those coming from families for whom $150k is nothing. The vast majority of students will apply for public school. And because it has become so competitive, only the top 1% will have any hope of getting in. And that largely means white kids from upper middle class cities and towns. And without the cheaper option of public school, many kids who would otherwise benefit from a public education will have to choose between private or nothing, and many won't be able to afford private.


Saying "we'll figure it out" isn't an answer. It's just kicking the can down the road and thinking a solution can be found. There are many problems for which solutions can't be found, and I think the above is one of them.

And it doesn't even address the issue of how private schools will be able to remain in business. They won't. Which is what happens in other countries with free public schooling. The schools are terrible compared to US schools, and the private schools go out of business.


Imagine if Bernie decided to pass a law stating that one supermarket in every city will be free. What will happen? There will be lines out the door all day, every day. So bad that only people willing to queue the day before and wait all night will be able to get in. Thinking it would be different with college is just incredible naivete.