"I’ve sent Congress my plan to bring the cost of community college down to zero." President Obama

[cal04]

https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse

[forest444]

1. THIS Congress, Mr. President?

God Himself couldn't get them to sign on to anything that's not sociopathic in some way. This definitely doesn't qualify.

[AngryDem001]

3. Because it helps real people, with real problems.

It does not help the rich bullies in suits buy a new Ferrari or yacht.

[forest444]

4. Yup. Being a GOP voter is tantamount to entering into an S&M relationship.

They (the masochists) always crave more mistreatment from the rich bullies you mentioned (the sadists) - and they'll be damned if any whiny Democrat or Green (the mother/father figure) tries to dissuade them. Like 50 Shades of Grey, except the sadist doesn't have a sweet side.

[spartan61]

16. Absolutely true!!!

[jeff47]

25. The point would be to start creating contrasts between the Republicans and Democrats

instead of Democrats stupidly continuing third-way's strategy.

It will never pass. Neither will a bill repealing the ACA. Bringing either up and drawing attention to it still serves a political purpose.

[ancianita]

2. Why couldn't have this been a priority during the Democratic majority?

Were the debt numbers not out yet?

[bobclark86]

5. Because they couldn't get anything done, either

Well, other than a Heritage Foundation-written health insurance industry-boosting law under the guise of "health care reform."

[TBF]

9. Where do you live? We have Urgent Cares going up

in every strip mall here. My guess is that there are tax breaks for building them (it has to be connected to Obamacare and actually having somewhere for all the new people who are covered to get care). Fast track jobs - anything medical.

Come to Houston.

[TBF]

15. Yeah, I can understand that.

There have got to be other jobs out there - just telling you what I'm familiar with.

[IronLionZion]

19. The increase in insured patients has created a big demand for provider services

so yes, here in Maryland we've also had lots of new urgent care walk in clinics open up. I went to one and was happy with the service I received. The clinic has doctors who also get support from multiple nurses, assistants, lab technicians, and associated jobs that do require some skills training and look like good jobs. It's a good way to get basic checkups and screenings, vaccinations, etc.

Some DUers are against this for some reason. They don't want people to get healthcare if someone might make some money from it. Freepers don't want people to get healthcare because they are sociopaths.

[TBF]

23. Well I think it's fantastic not just for the new insured

but for everyone. This way we can leave the ER's to their original function - those folks having a heart attack in the middle of the night, serious car accident, etc ... the other issues (someone has a bad cold but waits until late because they think they can't afford the doctor) now have an easier option. I checked one out recently when I needed to see my ENT for allergy issues but she was booked w/surgeries. The urgent care co-pay was a little less than specialist for me, and they gave me the same drugs (which also had generic equivalents!) so the whole thing was cost-effective too.

I initially viewed Obamacare as sort of a give-away to the health insurance industry, but I think we can take this program, expand it, and help a lot of people.

[YarnAddict]

7. Know any plan details?

How will this be paid for?

Will students be eligible for government grants and loans to go to a 4-year college if a community college is available to them?

Sounds like a great idea, but I would like to see some specifics.

[TBF]

8. We will pay with it with TAX $$$

Geez louise this is not rocket science.

And guess what - we could cut the defense budget to do it.

Has your head exploded yet?

[YarnAddict]

10. *sigh*

So President Obama just reaches into the Magic Tax $$$ Bag and pulls out whatever he needs? Will the $$$ come from defense? Will taxes be raised to cover it? Will it come from social spending? Legitimate questions.


Duh.

[TBF]

13. Oh I know they are an issue for you -

I can tell. In a budget there are many choices. It's an old fight and I choose butter over bumbs. Every.single.time. YMMV.

[Fred Sanders]

27. The proposal has funding proposals as well..and it does not involve taxing the poor......

[YarnAddict]

12. The other possibility, of course,

is to take the $$$ from first and second year students attending a four-year university on grants and loans. I mean, after all, if they can get the first two years FREE at a community college, why should they feel entitled to do those two years at a four-year university at taxpayer expense???

THAT'S the thing I'm afraid of.

[TBF]

14. At the rate we're going in this country

only the children in this country who are clearly in the 1% will be going to any college.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

17. Perhaps

And I really don't have a problem with that.

[YarnAddict]

18. Really??

You think students shouldn't be able to make those choices for themselves?

Community colleges are just fine, in many cases. In others, not so much. You would consign some students to an inferior college, which may or may not prepare them for their final two years, just because they couldn't afford to pay out of pocket for a four-year college?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

20. If they're taking subsidized loans

that's one thing - they're choosing to pay, albeit later on, for that choice. But when it comes to grants, no, I wouldn't have a problem saying that that they won't pay for the first two years of a four year college when a quality two year community college is an option.

Or alternatively, limit grants for the first two years of a four year college to what would have been paid for the community college.

[YarnAddict]

21. I can understand what you're saying

I just think it could lead to the gap between the wealthy and the rest of us getting bigger and bigger.

[TBF]

22. It's going to get even bigger if the cost of college

precludes anyone but the 1% from going at all. Refusing to pay for community college because you have "fears" is not the way to go about this.

[jeff47]

26. Fear is a great excuse to continue the status quo. (nt)

[meaculpa2011]

24. I graduated from Hunter College...

City University of New York.

My four-year tuition bill: ZERO! Supported from tax dollars.

My kids are in community college with tuition bills of $3,800 per year, plus fees.

It's a bargain for those that can afford it and a burden for those that cannot.

Relieve the burden!!!

BTW: Anybody that pays six figures to a private college has rocks in his head.

[WDIM]

28. Public education should be extended to the age of 22.

For those that want it and stay serious about school it should be paid for.

How can we pay for it? I propose a books not bombs campaign. Cut our war funding and actually try to educate our populous.