Gates Foundation Gives $16.5 Million for Community-College Programs

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Those that comment and explain how the numbers in the "middle class" would increase and proverty would decrease if a free college education was provided to all that want it, begin with a wrong, idealized premise. They presume that the POwers To Be who control most things in this country want the middle class to increase.
The increasing middle class would interfere with their control of things and would want to have a hand and say in how this country is run. It is important to the Powers To Be to keep as many people as possible with their noses to the grindstone just barely keeping their heads above water so their focus is on survival, but still an able working body, so they don't have time, energy or the inclination to try to "fix" what they see as wrong.
Wouldn't you wonder why it is they can't figure out just how easy and more cost efficient it is to improve the lives of everyone and drive down the costs of government as a consequence. It's just plain common sense when one thinks about it...unless you are among those that see their power controls threatened by a burgeoning middle class. So, periodically they allow or create economic castastrophes to set back a tremendous number of people ( the shrinking middle class) so they contain maintain their "Company Store" - people barely can have time to live, let alone get involved in the running of this country because they "...owe their souls to the Company Store".

Beverly of MD 1:09PM January 08, 2011

$12 billion for community college education, what a boost this would be! As one of the charterers of the fully accredited St. Louis Community College System (SLCCS) and the East St. Louis Community College (ESLCC), I am delighted. Thank you President Obama

cjayor of MO 3:05PM July 23, 2009

Free college education is needed if we are to get out of this Depression and have a fairer society. Many people are in poverty earning miserable minimum wages and although they want to study further, they simply cannot because costs are out of their reach. If European countries can provide free college education to their people, why not the United States? That would be a sure way for someone to go from working poor to middle class.

Mary Burrowes of FL 11:35AM July 23, 2009

Barack Obama has big plans for community colleges, to the tune of $12 billion, on the assumption that community colleges are the key to providing people with the high-tech skills needed to get the jobs of the future. There's an interesting piece on the details of his program at:
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2009/July/Understanding-Obama-s-Community-College-Makeover.html
FYI: Louisiana has decided to implement a separate career track for people who don't want to attend four-year colleges. Community colleges could be just thing they need to get employable skills without attending getting an undergraduate degree.

Tony G. Rocco of NY 12:19PM July 15, 2009