The Forgotten Era: When Education Was a Government Responsibility
In recent years, the debate around education in the United States has become increasingly heated. Many younger Americans find themselves struggling under the weight of student loan debt, facing the challenge of securing a well-paying job without the burden of excessive financial obligations. Meanwhile, those who already have their educations, and politicians, seem out of touch or just do not care, about the stark reality many face today.
Today, it’s not uncommon for people to work multiple jobs and still find it nearly impossible to cover basic expenses like rent and healthcare, which have also skyrocketed far past inflation. The path to better employment frequently requires more education and training, which comes with a hefty price tag that it did not used to come with.
Yet, when the topic of higher education arises, some express skepticism or even outright opposition. They question the value of investing in education, or the value of education altogether, and tout the trades which have also become expensive to break into, and shut many groups of people out. They balk at the idea of forgiving student loans, citing concerns about who will foot the bill.
However, the disconnect becomes even more glaring when we examine the broader economic landscape. While politicians may be against helping with exorbitant predatory student loans, and they ask who will pay for it, they are against taxing billionaires and diverting war funds. They give billionaires and corporations tax breaks that have historically not produced the results (trickle down economics) they always claim will happen. Forgiveness and relief for billion-dollar corporations are readily endorsed, while relief for struggling students is met with skepticism.
A particularly telling anecdote highlights this divide. One woman proudly recounted to me how her mother put herself through school in the 1940s by picking peaches in San Jose. She asserted that “Those who wish to invest in their education should do so, but not at the expense of the taxpayers.” Yet, she conveniently forgotten, or her mother never told her, that state universities used to be tuition-free, thanks to government funding through programs like Lincoln’s land grants in the 1860s. Therefore, the government *did* pay for her mother’s education.
The shift began in the mid 1960s, as the nation’s focus turned towards military prowess and space exploration. Funding for education dwindled, costs soared, and the era of Sallie Mae and the student loan crisis emerged. And let’s be clear, tuition has not risen because students are receiving a superior education. In fact, many professors struggle with stagnant wages and limited resources. Instead, the influx in prices often serves to pad the pockets of university presidents and top administrators. It was also a well known tool to keep “Undesirable” demographics out of school when they could not afford the price tag.
Education, once viewed as a public good, has increasingly become commodified, with institutions prioritizing revenue generation over the well-being and affordability of their students. The U.S. president makes $400,000 per year. But numerous university presidents make more than double that. The top earner of college presidents is Jerry Falwell Jr., of Liberty University who makes $3,536,821 a year. This is now a for profit industry, no better than a corporation, turning education into a privilege accessible only to those who can afford it.
“But they were the ones who decided to get the loan. No one made them do it.” The cost of higher education has skyrocketed over the past few decades, far outpacing inflation, so it cannot be done without the loan. Even trade schools that are so popularly offered as an anti-college solution, have become expensive. Many students take on loans with the hope that their degree will lead to better job prospects and higher earnings. As students leaving college, they find that wages, especially for entry-level positions, have not kept pace with rising education and living costs. This makes it challenging for recent graduates to repay loans as quickly as they might have anticipated. Many young people, fresh out of high school, may not fully understand the long-term implications of taking on significant student loan debt. However, economic downturns or unforeseen circumstances can disrupt these plans. The idea of “they should not have done it if they could not afford it” assumes a level of predictability in life that doesn’t always exist. People’s financial situations can change drastically due to factors beyond their control.
We are now confronted with critical shortages in essential fields like education, healthcare, STEM, and the trades as well, because talented individuals are priced out of the market. A pricey education on top of a pricey everything else, and the inability to work less to make time for the education, removes it from the equation and they stay in their current jobs to stay afloat.
Investing in education benefits not just the individual, but society as a whole. A well-educated populace drives innovation, economic growth, and social progress.
The consequences of this mentality are dire. Without investment in education, the future workforce will be ill-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. The class divide widens, opportunities diminish, and social mobility stagnates.
Instead of viewing education as a luxury or an individual burden, we must recognize it as a societal investment. Supporting initiatives for tuition-free college, forgiving student debt, and adequately funding education at all levels benefits everyone. It ensures a skilled and competitive workforce, drives innovation, and creates economic growth.
Government intervention is needed to rein in the excessive spending within academic institutions. One effective measure could be to tie federal funding to tuition caps, ensuring that universities cannot receive federal grants or loans if they raise tuition above a certain percentage each year. Additionally, transparency laws could be enacted, requiring universities to disclose their budgets, expenditures, and executive compensation packages. This would shed light on where the money is going and help hold institutions accountable for their financial decisions. By implementing such measures, we can work towards making education more affordable and accessible for all, without burdening students with insurmountable debt.
To those who argue against these measures, it’s worth reflecting on the past. The notion of a “free” education is not a new concept in America. It’s a return to a time when investing in the future was a shared priority, not a burden to be shouldered by individuals.
In the end, if we refuse to invest in the potential of the next generation, we will all pay the price. The time for change is now, for the sake of our economy, our society, and the prosperity of generations to come.
