(02-18-2021 01:11 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(02-18-2021 12:58 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  To rectify the harm created by the bad policy (the harm being current graduates being saddled with large amounts of debt that can restrict future economic activities), the debt should be canceled. People getting out from under debt can build wealth (which is a positive for all, as it creates less strain on social safety nets) and they are more able to take risks (such as starting their own businesses), if they do not have personal debts that they need to pay.

Good idea. let's cancel everybody's mortgages while we are at it, and all their credit card debt, for the same reasons. We can pay for it by taxing those new businesses at a higher rate.

A mortgage is a direct wealth building tool. Plus, typically people decided to get a mortgage later in life, and not when they are 18.

Credit cards aren't touted as a the first step to being able to, say, own a house through a mortgage. So the same issues aren't associated with them.

You're making a strawman and ignoring my points. My point clearly wasn't that all debt was bad and should be wiped out. My point was that I think it's a cogent argument to identify that a policy may have failed us, and to fix a problem it's caused.

Are you arguing that mortgages and credit cards are associated with failed policies in the same way? I mean, I would understand that in respect to mortgages and the housing bubble...

Quote:

Quote: An educated population is beneficial for everyone

I agree, at least to the extent of people being able to read write, and do basic math. Not so sure why we need people with degrees in women's studies or fifteenth century French poetry. So how does this square up with welcoming in millions of un- or under-educated immigrants who cannot qualify for work in their own homeland? How does that help to create an educated population?

"so we should collectively be investing in ways that help expand access to some form of post-secondary ed"

That's what I said - notice it did not say all? I'm not advocating for specifics in that statement, as getting too nitty gritty isn't really worthwhile. But suffice to say, I agree with the general sentiment that not all educational focuses are equal and some are more valuable than others. However, I think we often underestimate the benefits of some majors and the skills they impart because they don't sound important to us.

But I do think education past a 2nd grade level is beneficial. Critical thinking, technical skills, etc. People who have the ability to fill a void in society with their brains of skills they've learned is beneficial, no?