Why isn't college free and mandatory here at the USA?

Question

Isn't it the government's job to ensure that its citizens are intellectually competitive with other nations?

Answer 1

Mandatory college would just create another need for another system to weed out people from others. No colleges in the world are free. We pay for colleges on the backs of working people. In Europe, they have stringent exam that makes sure that only a low percentage (since college is free) get into colleges. Most kids at young age in Europe are either routed into the college track or trade tracks.

Answer 2

i am not american and have never gone to school free (pre-school / elementary / middle / highschool / college). i think you guys are lucky that the government supports kids to have enough education (until high school) with free education,

the reasons why they don't pay until college are (realistically speaking):

(1) this will help you get by in your country - you can find a decent job and eventually with the skills you've honed until you graduate from highschool - you achieve the same or even more that people with higher education (paid - college / masters and doctorate degrees) in the work arena.

(2) with having a job (as a highschool eduation makes you fuly equipped to live in the outside world) you can pay your own tuition - via financial aid and loans - something again, that is soo great about the american eduaction system.

(3) that's what you call freedom of choice. they equip you well enough to survive and it's up to you if you want to advance your life another way or survive (which will definitely happen if you finish high school) as is with what is given to you.

you guys are lucky with this system. in othr countries there is no suppport like this, that is why they stay 3rd world. only rich people can put their kids through school until college or graduate school.

sometimes i feel that with all the opportubities given to the american people - it is taken for grated by the citizens - you are being served everything on a plate and you want the whole buffet table. everything is idiot proof so that everyone can do things on your own and have an easy life - but you still want to be guided all though out with someone holding your hand. it's a sad thought - but it's a reality i have observed with many citizens of america.

sorry to be blunt - but it's a really strange question which i needed to answer because the a lot of americans do not see what they have - only what more they need or wht they don't have.

your citizens are the luckiest people in the world.

Answer 3

If you are below the poverty line, or do enough checking into federal programs, college CAN be free. A portion of taxes already go toward funding education (not enough, in my opinion) so that everyone who really wants to attend college--and is willing to do a lot of leg work--has a good chance of doing so. Student loans seem to last forever, but at least they allowed me to get an education in the first place.

Answer 4

Nothing is free. If the government is giving it to you, it is only because taxes are paying for it.

And why should a college education be mandatory? How about peopel who need to work to support a family? We should tell them that they need another four years of schooling?

Answer 5

well, it's a capitalist economy and a free state. And citizens wouldn't like an increase in taxes so adults (who have rights) would be forced to attend college until they obtained a bachelor's degree.

Answer 6

it's a free society - so it shoud not be mandatory.

State colleges are not too expensive for in-state residents

Answer 7

It is free, you just got to go to prison if you want to take advantage of it...