Should College Be a Constitutional Right?

by AdriHead Posted 2012/07/11 22:38:43

Related Topics: Congress, New York, Student, College, Loans, Poll, Americans, Student Loans, Partisan, York, University, US, 150 Years, Average American, rate, 67

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564 votes
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	Yes	177 votes	31%
	No	387 votes	69%

We all know student loans can be killer. And though Congress recently announced a tentative deal that would prevent student loan rates from doubling, according to a recent poll, that's still not enough for the average American.

A national poll done by the Carnegie Corporation of New York found that most Americans (76 percent) believe that access to higher education should be a constitutional right. Additionally, 67 percent believe that the cost of college is the biggest barrier to that access. It's a controversial issue, but it has to be asked: Do you think easier access to college should be a constitutional right for all Americans?

GOOD.IS reports:
A deeply divided Congress gives us little hope, but 150 years ago an equally partisan climate produced some of the nation's top public universities.

+25

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rustyshackelford 2012/07/11 23:08:27

No

+12
moderated...
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More polls by AdriHead

hasher to sbtbill 2012/07/12 11:06:08

+2
dont need no more handouts the govt cant afford it and neither can i.

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DuncanO... to sbtbill 2012/07/12 11:21:42

+2
Why? Education is not a function of the Government.

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sbtbill to DuncanO... 2012/07/13 03:53:36

Education is a function of the government. In fact I would say it is a primary and necessary function. However, I understand we will disagree on that. Just point out that as an argument it is meaningless because many if not most people disagree with you.

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DuncanO... to sbtbill 2012/07/14 20:59:48

Education is a local issue, not that of the Feds. In fact in the document authorizing the Government its powers are strictly limited. Education is not one of the powers granted to the Federal Government. Therefore according to that very document such remains within the authority of the states and the people.

So either you misunderstood what I said, are choosing to misunderstand, just seeking an argument, or without any real argument are seeking to demean the speaker.

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Prime T... to sbtbill 2012/07/12 14:38:26

I agree,many European countries pay for university study and these countries are highly educated.I am surprised at the number of no answers,and people putting down higher education when it is important for the country in order to be competative.

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Lady Wh... to sbtbill 2012/07/12 15:34:52

agreed

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Michelle 2012/07/12 06:51:32 (edited)

No

+1
I think, in a perfect world, post-secondary education would be a right. It should be something that people are allowed to pursue based only on their academic achievements, not only whether or not they can afford it. However, we're not living in a perfect world. The government could not afford to fund post-secondary education, so it's simply not feasible in the near future. Maybe one day, but not today. Currently, they do the best they can. Scholarships are available if you qualify, and student loans are possible if you don't mind being in debt, and you can work a few years before going if you have to.

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sol 2012/07/12 06:41:40

No

It would be nice but it's just not for everyone. If you do need help there's all kinds of scholarships and grants out there that you can get quite easily.

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Myagooshki 2012/07/12 06:21:24

No

I do believe that it should be free. But I really don't think that the constitution needs to have an amendment put into it that claims that the government is allowed to fully fund it, because there's nothing unconstitutional about that anyway.

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MOMMA THOMAS 2012/07/12 06:17:59

No

NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT....BUT ACESS VIA A PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM BASED ON MERIT. WHAT WORTH ARE YOUNG AMERICANS WHO CAN BECOME VALUABLE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SURVIVAL OF THIS NATION?

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mwg0735 2012/07/12 06:17:00
sbtbill to mwg0735 2012/07/12 06:49:32

+1
Not free but tax payer paid. My grandmother told me about how in the 19 teens they argued about doing high school that way fortunately the pro side won and education in the US improved. Now-a-days trade school and college are the same. The country would benefit greatly by extending education through the first 4 years of post secondary education.

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mwg0735 to sbtbill 2012/07/12 06:52:46
valeria... to mwg0735 2012/07/12 08:45:06

+2
Wow realy?What happened to the nation were everyone is united,and helping eachother hun? Remember hun,united we stand,but divided we fall,ok:)

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Jensenmk to valeria... 2012/07/12 18:16:47

+2
Wow, that is a very progressive interpetation.

United we stand, as in have the same values and moral code, not the socialist one where each contributes 'in their own way', but all benefit the same.

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mwg0735 to Jensenmk 2012/07/13 04:44:14
valeria... to Jensenmk 2012/07/13 05:46:34

True it's about helping eachother and not being selfish.

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mwg0735 to valeria... 2012/07/13 04:43:48
valeria... to mwg0735 2012/07/13 05:44:54

I've worked and i still struggle! So noo i'm not recieving any help,but if i wanted or needed help,then it will be nice if it's there.Another thing,if someone is trying to get ahead,and working hard,then i don't see a problem with them getting help. See,us mexicans and mexican families we help eachother,and stick for eachother.Even if someone in our family goes to prison,we are there to back them up,and give them support.I've notice that among withes especialy withe men tend to be very cold hearthed.As a christian i like helping others when i can and needed.So,honestly i don't mind paying taxes for all those people who are willing to get ahead,suceed,and later on contribute for this country.Altough,i dissagree with you,i still respect your opinion sir:)

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mwg0735 to valeria... 2012/07/13 06:09:02
valeria... to mwg0735 2012/07/13 06:13:09

+1
I see your point hun,and it makes sence to loan them to them and then have them pay for it:) Agreed:) It's called responsibility:)

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sbtbill to mwg0735 2012/07/13 04:01:36

You should pay to send someone to college because it make the US better economically. It increases the quality of the worker base. That means fewer jobs will be exported. That means we will need fewer H1B's. That means your job will be more secure and our defense will be better.

You pay for schools now. The argument is how much should you pay? I'd rather pay for schools then war.

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mwg0735 to sbtbill 2012/07/13 04:45:09
sbtbill to mwg0735 2012/07/13 07:09:57

I took 10 years getting through college because I worked my way through. So I did try it. A semester or two and then working in a factory for a year or a year and a half. A lot of part time semesters. I don't recommend it.

I'm not crying about anything. I'm advocating a plan that while it might cost in the short run would be profitable in the long run. Think about it who pays more in taxes a walmart greater or an accountant?

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mwg0735 to sbtbill 2012/07/13 07:25:09
Wolfman 2012/07/12 06:03:56

No

+1
Not unless you pass an Amendment and explain how you are going to pay for it.

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GeorgeAMartini 2012/07/12 05:48:20

No

+6
Life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness. Not a free ride at someone else's expense.

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valeria... to GeorgeA... 2012/07/12 08:48:11

+2
Sweety,is not a free ride for someone else!! Come onnn!! Eventualy all those students when they get a job thei'll be paying taxes just like everyone else,and be contributing for this country to:)

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Jensenmk to valeria... 2012/07/12 18:08:41

+1
They don't have to go to college to pull their weight in taxes.

Ah, but the promise of a free ride, that should be worth a vote or three....

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GeorgeA... to valeria... 2012/07/12 18:25:31

+1
I used to work in a financial aid office at a state run university. I have personal experience which tells me when someone else is giving people grants and low cost loans the students don't fully appreciate it. Secondly, making it "cheap" to go to college actually helps drive up the costs. More students that wouldn't otherwise go to school create more demand. Simple econ 101 stuff. More demand, higher prices. Were you aware that student debt now exceeds credit card debt in America? Paying taxes is a lousy use of our money. We just seem to have different views of this is all.

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Greg 2012/07/12 05:44:12 (edited)

No

+4
At least it is not a constitutional right to use government to coerce others into paying for your college for you.

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Denny 2012/07/12 05:43:00

No

+2
What kind of right are you talking about??? an individual going to higher education on the governments dime??/ where do we go?? You can bet that you would have no choice to take classes you want, it would have to be for the needs of the country. It could be done but I don't think you would like it.

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Cognito22 to Denny 2012/07/12 05:47:38 (edited)

Good point.
And applied right now, that would mean majoring in the Sciences, Math, Computer Engineering, Pre Med (we're going to need lots of doctors), etc.
None of this Liberal Arts, Masters in Business, and Law School degree crap.
The market is flooded with those.

We have a President with one of those degrees and he doesn't know crap.

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Denny to Cognito22 2012/07/12 05:59:57

+2
Don't forget we also need plumbers, pipe welders, and all the other trades. Better yet how about good bye to the All Volunteer Army.

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Jensenmk 2012/07/12 05:41:03

No

+3
Absolutely not.

There are too many variables that determine whether someone should attend college:
- Motivation to succeed (not just receive a hand out)
- G.P.A. if your grades suck, you should look for alternatives
- Funding - refer back to motivation; there is plenty of scholarships, grants and loans available; if you want it, work for it.
- personal responsibility/integrity - choosing to prioritize studies over everything else; especially if its someone else's money
- reality - not every job/field requires a degree

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Denny to Jensenmk 2012/07/12 06:02:46 (edited)

+1
More than that, The Government is not just going let you even take the classes you may want. It will have to be to the needs of the country. They are just not going to pay to put out more and more widget workers no matter how smart they are.

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Jensenmk to Denny 2012/07/12 07:09:04

+1
Wait a minute....that sounds like the USSR/soviet/communist/socialist method. Your lot in life was determined by the proliteriat at birth; you will be a gymnast, you will be a farmer, you will attend university be an engineer/accountant/biologist (if you are a party member)....

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Denny to Jensenmk 2012/07/12 18:04:02

Bingo!!!!

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Katherine 2012/07/12 05:22:06

No

+2
So let's take a tally. Everyone's entitled to a free education, free food, a free home, free health care. Who's going to pay for all these freebies? Their jobs aren't free.

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Tim Upham 2012/07/12 05:20:27

No

+1
Great Britain does not have a constitution, but for a long time the government paid for tuition. Just like when both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards dropped out of the London School of Economics to form a rock band. (I wonder what ever happened to them?) But it was under Tony Blair that Great Britain stopped it. With our deficit being so monstrous now, we could not even begin something like that. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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