A quick shame-check, from Nicholas Kristof:
About 1 percent of the total sunk in Iraq and Afghanistan [$1.64 trillion], if instead spent annually on schooling around the world, would allow every child worldwide to complete primary school, ending global illiteracy.
But then again that would only subtract from the immense human ignorance that perpetually commits us as a species to conflict-ending wars. So that wouldn't do.
Here is another I have toyed with for 8 years. Split $1.5 trillion among the 50 states on a per capita basis. An average state (average population of 6 million people) would receive $30 billion. Have each state establish a trust fund for higher education.
Then assume a modest return of 3% above inflation. This equates to $900 million per year for scholarships. Assume 100,000 in-state students enrolled in public institution including junior colleges. That equals $9,000/year.
Kick in another $1.5 trillion over another 10 years, and every high school graduate could graduate from a state university, junior college or tpublic technical school for free if they wish - in perpetuity.
I am not sure that is the best use of that money, but that is the size of the opportunities lost by Americans thanks to the GOP.
It also demonstrates what this country coould do if it stopped telling itself that governemnt is always the problem.
Posted by: Robert Lipscomb | January 11, 2013 at 08:19 AM