Thomas Sowell "The Lure of Socialism"

[Robbie3000]

its not either, or, you know.

Ya'll love railing against the MIC because ya'll don't understand it.

we are not living in the 20th century anymore. We don't need to spend 700 billion on an archaic MIC that was designed to fight nation states. Especially when a good portion of that money goes to the bottom line of companies who bribe our elected officials through legal bribery. It's time we adapted to a new reality.

 

[Wild self]

Why can't people pay for their own damn college education?

I took out a student loan, went to college, graduated and got a job, saved up money, and I just now finally paid off my student loan debt. Now you are telling me I have to start paying for other people's education as well? What about all the blue collar workers who choose not to go to college? Why should they have to pay for the college education of middle and upper class college students?

Why does college education need to be "free"?

Because it kills off disposable income that can make the economy grow faster, jackass! Tuition is rising above inflation and most jobs can't pay for it. Plus these greedy banks need to be fined for all the loan sharing they do.

 

[Spin]

Why can't people pay for their own damn college education?

I took out a student loan, went to college, graduated and got a job, saved up money, and I just now finally paid off my student loan debt. Now you are telling me I have to start paying for other people's education as well? What about all the blue collar workers who choose not to go to college? Why should they have to pay for the college education of middle and upper class college students?

Why does college education need to be "free"?

Agree.

We pay more per student now for K-12 education than every other country besides Switzerland and maybe one other small country. Our bloated system prevents our students from getting the best bang for their buck. Our test scores are pathetic for a nation of our strength. If we make college free, especially at this point, the value of a collage degree will become equal to that of a high school diploma. In places like Germany where there is some tuition free colleges, you still have to pass a rigorous test just to get in. On top of that, administrative staff at these schools are slim compared to the staff at colleges here. You're expected to know why you're in college and they won't be providing you with advisors or other hand holders. That beautiful gym, college football program, and a bunch of "perks" you can kiss goodbye too.

I agree that college has become too expensive, but making it free is not the answer. If you aren't focused on learning a in demand skill, college could be a waste of time anyway. STEM degrees pay and some professional degrees pay if you go to the top schools. Outside of a handful of areas, alot of kids would be better off learning how to become a mechanic or something else that will always be in demand.

Community colleges are cheap enough now where you can go two years and then transfer. People really have to start becoming honest with themselves about what skills they offer society. You can't choose something not in demand and get upset when you're not making a livable age. You made a choice about what to specialize in and if it's something not in demand that is on you.

 

[Aufheben]

there's lot of good arguments against free public college but none have to do with it being too expensive.

making public colleges free is surprisingly cheap. i've yet to seen anyone on these boards make any of the valid cases against it

 

[Camile.Bidan]

I was once convinced and indoctrinated by Sowell's eloquent writings and powerful speeches. No More.

Culture, while important is not the ultimate determination of success for either individuals or nations.


China was a socialist/communist state yet it still outpaced many other third world countries, even free market nations including those in Africa and Latin america. This was before chinas own market reforms.

N korea was 100% command economy, but it still has the capital and knowledge base to produce nuclear weapons and modern rocket technology.


The economic system, while significant, it is not the ultimate factor in a nation's level of achievement. Control for variation in economic systems, and you will find that the quality of human capital will make all the difference regardless of culture or even education levels.

The secrets of genetic based intelligence are no longer 20 years away. They are no longer a result indirect evidence (twin studies). The power to unlock genes for intelligence is a matter of 2 years or even months away, and significant/ direct links have been found recently.

It's over for Sowell's theories just as it's over for all of the modern progressive theories.

It's time to embrace a controlled meritocracy with a market-based micro-economy and controlled macro economy similar to Singapore or China. This is the only way forward.