Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum - View Single Post - College education is the largest scam in U.S. history

ronmcdon · 05-15-2011, 07:03 PM

Got about 25 mins into it (over an hour long).
Some things I agree, other I do not.

The message I get so far is that 'student loans' and gov't policy is a scam.
Gov't is artificially driving up the cost of college (much like the real estate market), but making loans accessible to everyone, regardless of credit.
This causes artificial demand that drives up cost of college.

In the end, college debts are higher.
some loans may or not be paid, which further devalues the worth of the dollar.

I don't see this as making college, overall, a scam.
but it does make a compelling case of government involvement in student loans.
Some professions ultimately will require some level of formal education or training.
(you can't be a Medical Doctor through browsing the internet)
Some schools are cheaper than others.
(not everyone needs to go to USC w/ 60k +/year, or whatever those thieves charge today.
I went to UCSD and paid maybe 7k annual for my undergraduate degree)
Some degrees are more practical than others
(engineering vs. say sociology).

Education has NEVER been the only path to financial prosperity,
although it remains the most conventional path to do so even outside of the US.

A lot of other things are just a matter of inflation.
The old folks in the US, who say 'the old times were harder' have HIGHLY questionable credibility unless they went through the great depression.

IMO, if the gov't had to spend $$$ in a constructive way for the sake of education,
they should fund public colleges in sense where the cost of college remains as affordable as possible, where ppl wouldn't even have to take out huge loans.
Maybe keep city/state college tuition low, and not lay off teachers there.
By driving loans artificially low, you wonder who is the true beneficiary?

IMO, the real scam and failure is American public elementary & high schools, but that's another can of worms entirely.
I'm convinced 'no child left behind' was a good policy.
There has to be some level of quality control as far as HS graduation goes.
Schools can't just graduate anyone, so that they can get their funding.
It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction IMO.

05-15-2011, 07:03 PM	#4
ronmcdon Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: beverly hills Age: 89 Posts: 4,260 Trader Rating: (6)	Got about 25 mins into it (over an hour long). Some things I agree, other I do not. The message I get so far is that 'student loans' and gov't policy is a scam. Gov't is artificially driving up the cost of college (much like the real estate market), but making loans accessible to everyone, regardless of credit. This causes artificial demand that drives up cost of college. In the end, college debts are higher. some loans may or not be paid, which further devalues the worth of the dollar. I don't see this as making college, overall, a scam. but it does make a compelling case of government involvement in student loans. Some professions ultimately will require some level of formal education or training. (you can't be a Medical Doctor through browsing the internet) Some schools are cheaper than others. (not everyone needs to go to USC w/ 60k +/year, or whatever those thieves charge today. I went to UCSD and paid maybe 7k annual for my undergraduate degree) Some degrees are more practical than others (engineering vs. say sociology). Education has NEVER been the only path to financial prosperity, although it remains the most conventional path to do so even outside of the US. A lot of other things are just a matter of inflation. The old folks in the US, who say 'the old times were harder' have HIGHLY questionable credibility unless they went through the great depression. IMO, if the gov't had to spend $$$ in a constructive way for the sake of education, they should fund public colleges in sense where the cost of college remains as affordable as possible, where ppl wouldn't even have to take out huge loans. Maybe keep city/state college tuition low, and not lay off teachers there. By driving loans artificially low, you wonder who is the true beneficiary? IMO, the real scam and failure is American public elementary & high schools, but that's another can of worms entirely. I'm convinced 'no child left behind' was a good policy. There has to be some level of quality control as far as HS graduation goes. Schools can't just graduate anyone, so that they can get their funding. It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction IMO.