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Honestly, this is the big difference I think in American and EU thinking (to be incredibly general). I am paying back my UK student loan, and if a party like La

Honestly, this is the big difference I think in American and EU thinking (to be incredibly general). I am paying back my UK student loan, and if a party like Labour once again said they were going to make university tuition free again, I would vote for them in a heartbeat. I don't care that I'd still have to pay, I want my country to be better. To be a bit melodramatic, yours and my ancestors sacrificed a lot to be where we are now. I'm just glad the only thing I'm likely going to need to sacrifice is some extra tax.

refurb 7y ago
You're comparing different things. If you had just paid off your student loans by diligently saving and the Labour party said they'll forgive the debt of your classmates who partied it up and never paid back their loans would you feel the same?
- Accacin 7y ago
  I get your point, but it doesn't work like that in the UK so your example wouldn't happen. However, if it did.. I don't think I'd be annoyed but that's hard to say until it happens. In some respects, it would actually work in a similar way though. In their statement, they said that they'd forgive the student debt of those currently studying, but not those who had already finished (like me). For this I can safely say that I'd still be incredibly happy. By the way, I'm not trying to paint American's in a negative light. I'm a big fan of America, but it is a difference as far as I can tell, although which line of thinking is right is incredibly hard to say.
  - refurb 7y ago
    The distinction between the two scenarios is important though, because if the US gov't was to institute changes to college where newly attending students got a break that earlier students didn't, sure you'd get pushback, but not nearly as much as just forgiving existing student loans. The US is more individualistic than the UK, but we're not entirely heartless bastards.
niij 7y ago
I see what you mean by trying to improve your own country. But consider this: college education is not for everyone. If someone doesn't decide to go to college and still makes a good living as a tradesman or even unskilled worker, why should they be taxed to subsidize someone else's college? Why not just tax less and let people make their own decisions with how the money they've earned is spent. Every time you create a new tax it's one less choice (freedom) someone has in their life.
- Accacin 7y ago
  Good point. College (university for us!) is not for everyone, and I can't speak for America but I feel that we look down upon trades in the UK a little sometimes. Being a tradesman is a completely valid choice that I believe is equal with a more academic route. That being said, it's hard to blame the individual going to university if there career requires that and it's also a fact that a tradesman is probably going to be earning a lot more than a student for at least the period of time they're studying. I also believe (like I said before) that allowing people financial help to study improves the whole country, especially being that every family can afford to send their children so for myself I can justify this extra tax. Your point hasn't swayed me, but it has made me consider the 'other side' at least so thank you.
  - niij 7y ago
    > we look down upon trades in the UK a little sometimes. Being a tradesman is a completely valid choice that I believe is equal with a more academic route. Same here in the US, but you're right, it's an honorable job and nothing wrong with it. > allowing people financial help to study improves the whole country, especially being that every family can afford to send their children In the US we already have that as a system. See: FAFSA/Pell Grants. Those with low incomes already do receive free/subsidized college education. These "new" proposals say that _everyone_ regardless of income can get free money for college. So in that way it's really just a giveaway for the middle/upper class. Considering that, the argument that it will help the poor doesn't hold water for me. > Your point hasn't swayed me, but it has made me consider the 'other side' at least so thank you. Same here, appreciate debating with someone respectfully even if opinions are different.

refurb 7y ago

You're comparing different things. If you had just paid off your student loans by diligently saving and the Labour party said they'll forgive the debt of your classmates who partied it up and never paid back their loans would you feel the same?

Accacin 7y ago
I get your point, but it doesn't work like that in the UK so your example wouldn't happen. However, if it did.. I don't think I'd be annoyed but that's hard to say until it happens. In some respects, it would actually work in a similar way though. In their statement, they said that they'd forgive the student debt of those currently studying, but not those who had already finished (like me). For this I can safely say that I'd still be incredibly happy. By the way, I'm not trying to paint American's in a negative light. I'm a big fan of America, but it is a difference as far as I can tell, although which line of thinking is right is incredibly hard to say.
- refurb 7y ago
  The distinction between the two scenarios is important though, because if the US gov't was to institute changes to college where newly attending students got a break that earlier students didn't, sure you'd get pushback, but not nearly as much as just forgiving existing student loans. The US is more individualistic than the UK, but we're not entirely heartless bastards.

niij 7y ago

I see what you mean by trying to improve your own country. But consider this: college education is not for everyone. If someone doesn't decide to go to college and still makes a good living as a tradesman or even unskilled worker, why should they be taxed to subsidize someone else's college? Why not just tax less and let people make their own decisions with how the money they've earned is spent. Every time you create a new tax it's one less choice (freedom) someone has in their life.

Accacin 7y ago
Good point. College (university for us!) is not for everyone, and I can't speak for America but I feel that we look down upon trades in the UK a little sometimes. Being a tradesman is a completely valid choice that I believe is equal with a more academic route. That being said, it's hard to blame the individual going to university if there career requires that and it's also a fact that a tradesman is probably going to be earning a lot more than a student for at least the period of time they're studying. I also believe (like I said before) that allowing people financial help to study improves the whole country, especially being that every family can afford to send their children so for myself I can justify this extra tax. Your point hasn't swayed me, but it has made me consider the 'other side' at least so thank you.
- niij 7y ago
  > we look down upon trades in the UK a little sometimes. Being a tradesman is a completely valid choice that I believe is equal with a more academic route. Same here in the US, but you're right, it's an honorable job and nothing wrong with it. > allowing people financial help to study improves the whole country, especially being that every family can afford to send their children In the US we already have that as a system. See: FAFSA/Pell Grants. Those with low incomes already do receive free/subsidized college education. These "new" proposals say that _everyone_ regardless of income can get free money for college. So in that way it's really just a giveaway for the middle/upper class. Considering that, the argument that it will help the poor doesn't hold water for me. > Your point hasn't swayed me, but it has made me consider the 'other side' at least so thank you. Same here, appreciate debating with someone respectfully even if opinions are different.