Higher education costs are artificially inflated
Re: “New studies weigh college value and cost,” Aug. 22
These studies are biased, as their content is based on the conclusions of educators.The cost of an education is artificially high due to the collaboration between the government and the education system.
People never seem to notice that the cost of college went up exponentially as soon as the government started making loans to pay for it.The so-called Department of Education has managed to raise the cost while standardized test scores remain flat or, as the case in math and science, go down.
I am amazed that people who are supposedly so smart do not account for the fact that most of the people with only a high school diploma could start out at a minimum wage job.They’re not being hired because the government interferes with the natural order of the free market by setting an artificially high minimum wage instead of allowing them to develop the work skills and experience to compete for higher wages later.People with college degrees have a few more skills, but they are still paid the cheapest wage the boss can get away with. They’re then required to work extra hours to make up for the fact that more people could not be hired.
Randy Mathson
Alexandria
Government medicine is not a panacea
Re: “Obamacare shows that Obama really cares,” From Readers, Aug.
I grew up as an Army dependent, served a few years in the Navy, and was medically retired.I still get seen at both Walter Reed and the VA Medical Center.Government medicine, in one form or another, is pretty much all I’ve ever used.I also spent a decade working in support of military medicine, so I’ve seen the inside, too.
I’ll be the first to say that it’s great when it works.But I’ve also seen firsthand when it doesn’t work.
You might not get seen at some specialty clinics unless you call to schedule at specific hours during the month. Maybe you won’t even get into the clinic at all because they refuse to answer their phone. Or you might sit in a waiting room for over an hour before someone takes your blood pressure, which actually happened to me earlier this week.
If that’s how government cares for the small population of our armed forces, what’s going to happen when it takes over care for all Americans?
Paul Whitely may be correct that the world doesn’t care what he thinks about Obamacare.But to be frank, that’s because he’s been had — and he doesn’t even know it.
Mr. Whitely, if you’re reading this, pay very close attention:President Obama doesn’t care about you or your health care. He only cares about himself, his family and power. The only reason he rolls out expensive government giveaways like his health care monstrosity is to buy votes from easily-deceived pigeons like you.
Trevor White
Silver Spring
New crop of Republicans is not like the old
As a Ron Paul-supporting, Mitt Romney-bound at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention from Virginia, I am excited that the liberty movement within the Republican Party has gained so much traction. Important issues like a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve and Internet freedom were debated this week at Resolutions Committee meetings ahead of the convention in Tampa.
The movement inspired by Ron Paul will continue with people like Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee, Rep. Justin Amash, and soon-to-be Sen. Ted Cruz. We have made great gains within local Republican Party organizations, laying the foundation for a new crop of liberty-minded candidates in upcoming election cycles.
It’s a long ballgame, but I’m convinced that they can steer our party in the direction that shrinks the size and scope of government while expanding freedom to the citizens. We’ve simply got to stay vigilant and engaged.
Matthew Hurtt
Arlington
