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Paying taxes in America is like taking out a high interest loan on a used car. And not a particularly reliable one. Why exactly am I paying taxes if college is

Paying taxes in America is like taking out a high interest loan on a used car. And not a particularly reliable one. Why exactly am I paying taxes if college is still unaffordable and health insurance gets more expensive every year ? I probably pay a higher percentage of my income in taxes and health insurance as I would in Germany, and get much less in return. Unemployment insurance is a joke for higher income people. College in particular is a bit complex. In my Mom's time State College was tuition free. The State of California, assuming it's residents are stupid, claims it's state schools are tuition free for residents. It's just a 15k fee ! https://admission.ucla.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-fees https://admission.ucla.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-fees State College should be free. Particularly if you go to community college first, this is where the vast majority of students should start. Unless you get a full ride, it's better to drop out after 3 semesters of community vs 3 semesters at USC. I think the 10k in forgiveness would of been reasonable. That was a very moderate plan, but it didn't happen. Some type of long term reform is needed though. Maybe allow for a discharge after 15 years ?

nradov 1y ago
Germany was able to get a free ride on US security guarantees for decades. Let's see what happens to their tax rates and social benefits now that they're finally being held accountable for complying with their NATO defense spending obligations. While college tuition is generally cheaper in Germany, fewer students have the opportunity to attend. Most of them are steered to other tracks from as fairly early age. This model has some advantages but it limits opportunities for late bloomers.
- 999900000999 1y ago
  I've heard this argument from conservatives a lot. The reason the rest of the world can have affordable health care and cheap or essentially free college is because America pays for their security. How does that make any sense at all, why exactly do we need to have military bases in both Japan and Germany almost 80 years after the war ended. At this point why can't they just take care of themselves ? Most countries offer trades as a respected alternative. Plus it's not like you can't start as a carpenter at 19, decide that you hate getting splinters and then go and study poetry later.
  - red-iron-pine 1y ago
    they also have strong unions to back those trades

nradov 1y ago

Germany was able to get a free ride on US security guarantees for decades. Let's see what happens to their tax rates and social benefits now that they're finally being held accountable for complying with their NATO defense spending obligations. While college tuition is generally cheaper in Germany, fewer students have the opportunity to attend. Most of them are steered to other tracks from as fairly early age. This model has some advantages but it limits opportunities for late bloomers.

999900000999 1y ago
I've heard this argument from conservatives a lot. The reason the rest of the world can have affordable health care and cheap or essentially free college is because America pays for their security. How does that make any sense at all, why exactly do we need to have military bases in both Japan and Germany almost 80 years after the war ended. At this point why can't they just take care of themselves ? Most countries offer trades as a respected alternative. Plus it's not like you can't start as a carpenter at 19, decide that you hate getting splinters and then go and study poetry later.
- red-iron-pine 1y ago
  they also have strong unions to back those trades