Jason Paskowitz - I appreciate what you are talking about.  But at the same time I believe one of the things wrong with this country is the attitude that the military is a choice for the “bottom of the barrel kids in high school, not for career-oriented young men and women”.  Everyone needs to share the burden.  There is nothing at all wrong with serving your country, if you think there is you need to think again.  Is it the right idea to think that only the poorer folks can serve?  Everyone should be obligated in one fashion or another - military, peace corp, job corp.  This not just for the “bottom of the barrel” folks.

I do understand about blowing things or people up as well.  There are plenty of different careers in the military or the peace corp where there is no blowing up involved such as the many jobs associated with acquisition and IT for example.

I believe if someone wants an education bad enough they will find a way to get it done.  There is such a thing as working and attending college - happens everyday with the “bottom of the barrel” folks - part time school, part time work.

Re Steve Allanson’s comments: 

What about those of us who attended state schools, graduated (with honors) in
four years, and experienced enough personal growth, thank you very much?
Military service is, only in your opinion, “not a bad way to go.”  I experienced
enough personal growth without having to blow things up or shoot at people. 
Moreover, in my upbringing, the military was for the bottom of the barrel kids in
high school, not for career-oriented young men and women. 

Additionally, I worked plenty hard in school and thereafter.  Luckily, I was in college
back when it was still possible to work through school.  Now, given bloated
tuitions which exceed the average working FAMILY income, it is impossible.

An Alternative to Capitalism (Let’s have a future free of debt altogether!)

Several decades ago, Margaret Thatcher claimed: “There is no alternative”. She was referring to capitalism. Today, this negative attitude still persists.

I would like to offer an alternative to capitalism for the American people to consider. Please click on the following link. It will take you to an essay titled: “Home of the Brave?” which was published by the Athenaeum Library of Philosophy:


http://evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com/steinsvold.htm


John Steinsvold

Perhaps in time the so-called dark ages will be thought of as including our own.
—Georg C. Lichtenberg

I think there are more than one way to skin the education cat - so to speak.
‘Want to be students’ could attend local colleges for the first couple of years.  Might be a lot cheaper to stay at home for a while.
‘Want to be students’ could sort of go ‘old school’ and finish up their degree in 4 years rather than 5 to 6 years.  Every year costs money - both in expense and lack of income.
‘Want to be students’ could invest themselves in science and math where there are more opportunities for after graduation employment.  Starting salaries will be much higher also.
‘Want to be students’ could use the military as a bridge to their further education.  Spend 4 years in the military and use the accrued benefits to get the desired education.  Not a bad way to go and also allows for some growing time.
There are many, may ways to get an education without owing your future to the banks, but these usually involve work and lots of folks seem to be allergic to that four-letter word.