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Showing Original Post only (View all)Pete Buttigieg argues against free college. This is why progressives can't agree about subsidizing t [View all]
Source: Washington Post
Pete Buttigieg argues against free college. This is why progressives cant agree about subsidizing tuition.
What is a college education for, and who benefits from it?
By Elizabeth Popp Berman April 5 at 10:50 AM
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg wants you to know he doesnt believe in free college. He said as much on Wednesday night to an audience of college students, no less:
Buttigieg isnt the first progressive to argue against ending tuition. In fact, the argument that tuition-free college is regressive was, until the past few years, pretty standard on the wonkish left. But by thinking about college education in terms of human capital, it misses out on important aspects of providing public goods. This explains why Buttigiegs proposal has raised questions from many progressives.
The origins of the Buttigieg position about college
The Buttigieg argument goes like this: College increases the incomes of those who complete it. But the people who go to college are typically already better off. By charging them less than the actual cost of their education, were using the tax dollars of poorer non-college-goers to pay for the education of their richer counterparts whose earning potential will only increase with their shiny new bachelor's degree.
-snip-
What is a college education for, and who benefits from it?
By Elizabeth Popp Berman April 5 at 10:50 AM
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg wants you to know he doesnt believe in free college. He said as much on Wednesday night to an audience of college students, no less:
Americans who have a college degree earn more than Americans who dont. As a progressive, I have a hard time getting my head around the idea a majority who earn less because they didnt go to college subsidize a minority who earn more because they did.
Buttigieg isnt the first progressive to argue against ending tuition. In fact, the argument that tuition-free college is regressive was, until the past few years, pretty standard on the wonkish left. But by thinking about college education in terms of human capital, it misses out on important aspects of providing public goods. This explains why Buttigiegs proposal has raised questions from many progressives.
The origins of the Buttigieg position about college
The Buttigieg argument goes like this: College increases the incomes of those who complete it. But the people who go to college are typically already better off. By charging them less than the actual cost of their education, were using the tax dollars of poorer non-college-goers to pay for the education of their richer counterparts whose earning potential will only increase with their shiny new bachelor's degree.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/05/pete-buttigieg-argues-against-free-college-this-is-why-progressives-cant-agree-about-subsidizing-tuition/
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Pete Buttigieg argues against free college. This is why progressives can't agree about subsidizing t [View all]
Eugene
Apr 2019
OP
Yes, he does realize that, but he's asking if that's the best use of our money.
marylandblue
Apr 2019
#8
But they'd still have to take enough cumulative classes to have learned something
The Velveteen Ocelot
Apr 2019
#29
Back when I went to college (1960s), there was no tuition at the state colleges
MineralMan
Apr 2019
#10
Not everyone is cut out for college, but you can't get a well-paying job without it.
marylandblue
Apr 2019
#14
As a concept: free college its fine. Practically speaking, what does that actually mean?
tymorial
Apr 2019
#12
It should be free or significantly subsidized for those whose families cannot afford it
Buckeyeblue
Apr 2019
#15
I agree with subsidizing. People should pay something because it is a thing of value. If you
UniteFightBack
Apr 2019
#40
Well, I worked at a major corporation and we (in my area) hired IT professionals out of ...
SWBTATTReg
Apr 2019
#32