Higher education is necessary for U.S.

A Jan. 25 letter in the Daily Bee expressed concern about the potential costs of President Obama’s proposal for free community colleges. The writer presents a huge number for annual costs that was two decimal points inflated, but either way the costs are large. Whatever the actual cost, the large numbers are a measure of the incredible debt load many of our young people are accruing today, a number that is approaching $1.5 trillion.

The letter then goes on to say “In the view of many, the government’s foray into elementary and college education has not been a great benefit.” Since public education was first proposed by Thomas Jefferson in 1797 and federal involvement in higher education began with the establishment of the land grant schools in 1862, the ”foray” the “many” are worried about has very deep roots. Since World War II, there have been a number of “forays” starting with the GI Bill(s) that have helped millions of Americans improve themselves, get higher paying jobs that put them into higher tax brackets and a middle class with money to spend. The generations since World War II have enjoyed the largest economic growth in our history.

The scale of the federal debt should be of concern to all of us, but dealing with it will take much more than just cutting the size of government. To be successful in balancing any budget, both costs and earnings must be considered, so we must shrink government and increase revenues, and this can be done without higher taxes with a larger economy. To grow our economy we must be able to compete with the world in the Information Age and rebuild the middle class that once was the driver for economic growth. More available higher education is required for both of these and any money we spend to improve our work force returns many times over during the working life of our citizens.

KEN THACKER

Sagle