[quote=pri_dk]So there is a line somewhere that needs to be drawn. But how do we determine where? I understand your point about STEM degrees, as I purposely setup a fairly uncontroversial example.
But why not liberal arts? Are they of no value at all? What about people that become lawyers? The rule of law is the most important aspect of our society. And who writes our history books?
I don’t have an answer, but I know it’s not so simple.
Do we limit our pool or lawyers, historians, and teachers to the children of the rich?[/quote]
Yes, there needs to be a line drawn. If we have unlimited funds, then sure, free education for all, regardless of degree. However, we don’t have unlimited funds and I put STEM degrees above all others, since those are the degrees that will keep us competitive with the rest of the world. Keep us innovating and keep us producing.
I never said there are no value for liberal arts degrees. I just don’t feel like their value is as great as the cost. People can become lawyers if they want, but I don’t think there’s a shortage of lawyers like there are for STEM degrees. Yes, rule of law is very important in our society, but at the same time, you have to question, are there too many laws? After all, if you ask any politician how many laws they’ve created and they’ll be proud to list them to you. However, when you ask them how many they’ve repealed and most probably say none. So, more and more laws are being added. You have to take a step back and ask, are all of these laws worth it.
No, we do not limit our pool of lawyers, historians, teachers to children of the rich. Currently, that’s not the case. It wasn’t the case in the past and I don’t see it being the case of the future. Those who don’t care about $ are welcome to become a historian or a Shakespearean literature major. However, I think that’s a luxury, not a necessity. Lawyer is a risky profession. You take up the loan debt in hope of hitting out of the park and be a partner at a law firm. High risk, high return. for STEM degrees on the other hand, it’s a lot less likely to hit it out of the park, unless you’re one of the lucky few who are in the right place at the right time and hit it big with the .com IPO.
I don’t know why you bring teachers into the equation. But just like my answers wrt to degrees, I think teachers of STEM subjects should be paid more than teachers of liberal arts subjects.
BTW, right now, if you’re poor and are ambitious and smart, there’s a very likely chance you’ll get a free ride. I know a few HS senior this year who are in this boat. I also know a few when I graduated HS many years ago. So, aids have been out there and continue to be out there for the cream of the crop.
