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This wouldn't be so problematic if college (state and community) were free. By most estimations, the cost of making college free is around $60 billion, which is

This wouldn't be so problematic if college (state and community) were free. By most estimations, the cost of making college free is around $60 billion, which is not that significant. Just force corporations to pay proper taxes, use that money to make college free, and you'll be doing wonders for this country's citizens. Alternatively, consider that the Iraq war expenditure could have paid for college in this country practically through the next century.

ori_b 11y ago
To play devil's advocate: > Just force corporations to pay proper taxes, Considering that the USA is one of the few countries that taxes on overseas profits, and has a higher rate of tax than many countries, what exactly are 'proper taxes'? And considering that many countries have eliminated or reduced the cost of university without raising taxes excessively, why is it impossible to do the same in the USA?
- coldtea 11y ago
  Not to mention that $60 billion sounds like a small part of the military budget, which is already 4-10 times the size of the next country, and mostly used to abuse other places instead of defense.
  - jedrek 11y ago
    The main roles of the US Armed Forces are currently the support of US business interests abroad, corporate subsidies for contractors and as a government jobs program.
- cpursley 11y ago
  Exactly. The Corporations™ don't pay taxes; their customers do. Plenty of lower-tax nations are able to provide free or nearly free university, healthcare and other benefits. It's not a collection problem; it's a spending one.
- dragonwriter 11y ago
  > Considering that the USA is one of the few countries that taxes on overseas profits, and has a higher rate of tax than many countries, what exactly are 'proper taxes'? The higher nominal corporate tax rate is misleading because of the structure of credits, deductions, etc.; the US collects a low level of corporate taxes compared to other developed countries (e.g., significantly below the OECD average.)
- littletimmy 11y ago
  US corporations should pay a global tax even if corporations abroad don't. That is because US corporations operate in a more beneficial corporate climate. In what other country does the government fight so hard for its corporations' profits that it imposes treaties like the TPP on other countries? In what other civilized country can a corporation operate without giving workers vacation, or even a maternity leave? Only the US! That level of government support and exploitation allowance should have a global tax because it is unique in the civilized world.
deleted 11y ago
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bobby_9x 11y ago
On top of the fact that the US has one of the largest corporate tax rates in the world, free tuition won't allow the poor to get better jobs. It will merely set a new bar that everyone will need to adhere to, to get a job. IE: a bachelor's degree will be the new requirement for most jobs.
- lkbm 11y ago
  Available jobs and economic output definitely aren't static. The general idea is that you can increase overall productivity with education, and thus education isn't a zero-sum game.
  - bobby_9x 11y ago
    Who said they are static? "The general idea is that you can increase overall productivity with education" But does this general idea actually work? Unless you just give everyone a diploma, the problem will just be pushed further down the education chain. If college were free, there will be a greater demand (of potential students) and the same amount of supply (universities) as we've always had. This will mean more strict enrollment guidelines (IE: more difficult testing) and students that have the money for tutors or the parents that can help them study will always be at an advantage, and get in. To me, this seems like it will just be a repeat of what we have now. It's a quick-fix that is doomed to fail. We should completely get rid of the student loan system. Colleges will be forced to reduce their rates because nobody will actually be able to afford it and offer some scholarships to the academically talented. Not everyone should go to college. You can still make a very good living in the skilled trades (plumber, electrician). Free tuition for all will not solve this issue and magically make students more capable, educated, or interested in a 4 year degree.

ori_b 11y ago

To play devil's advocate: > Just force corporations to pay proper taxes, Considering that the USA is one of the few countries that taxes on overseas profits, and has a higher rate of tax than many countries, what exactly are 'proper taxes'? And considering that many countries have eliminated or reduced the cost of university without raising taxes excessively, why is it impossible to do the same in the USA?

coldtea 11y ago
Not to mention that $60 billion sounds like a small part of the military budget, which is already 4-10 times the size of the next country, and mostly used to abuse other places instead of defense.
- jedrek 11y ago
  The main roles of the US Armed Forces are currently the support of US business interests abroad, corporate subsidies for contractors and as a government jobs program.
cpursley 11y ago
Exactly. The Corporations™ don't pay taxes; their customers do. Plenty of lower-tax nations are able to provide free or nearly free university, healthcare and other benefits. It's not a collection problem; it's a spending one.
dragonwriter 11y ago
> Considering that the USA is one of the few countries that taxes on overseas profits, and has a higher rate of tax than many countries, what exactly are 'proper taxes'? The higher nominal corporate tax rate is misleading because of the structure of credits, deductions, etc.; the US collects a low level of corporate taxes compared to other developed countries (e.g., significantly below the OECD average.)
littletimmy 11y ago
US corporations should pay a global tax even if corporations abroad don't. That is because US corporations operate in a more beneficial corporate climate. In what other country does the government fight so hard for its corporations' profits that it imposes treaties like the TPP on other countries? In what other civilized country can a corporation operate without giving workers vacation, or even a maternity leave? Only the US! That level of government support and exploitation allowance should have a global tax because it is unique in the civilized world.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

bobby_9x 11y ago

On top of the fact that the US has one of the largest corporate tax rates in the world, free tuition won't allow the poor to get better jobs. It will merely set a new bar that everyone will need to adhere to, to get a job. IE: a bachelor's degree will be the new requirement for most jobs.

lkbm 11y ago
Available jobs and economic output definitely aren't static. The general idea is that you can increase overall productivity with education, and thus education isn't a zero-sum game.
- bobby_9x 11y ago
  Who said they are static? "The general idea is that you can increase overall productivity with education" But does this general idea actually work? Unless you just give everyone a diploma, the problem will just be pushed further down the education chain. If college were free, there will be a greater demand (of potential students) and the same amount of supply (universities) as we've always had. This will mean more strict enrollment guidelines (IE: more difficult testing) and students that have the money for tutors or the parents that can help them study will always be at an advantage, and get in. To me, this seems like it will just be a repeat of what we have now. It's a quick-fix that is doomed to fail. We should completely get rid of the student loan system. Colleges will be forced to reduce their rates because nobody will actually be able to afford it and offer some scholarships to the academically talented. Not everyone should go to college. You can still make a very good living in the skilled trades (plumber, electrician). Free tuition for all will not solve this issue and magically make students more capable, educated, or interested in a 4 year degree.