Analysis of Biden's American Families Plan: Why Community Colleges Only?
President Biden's American Families Plan aims to allocate $300 billion towards making community college debt-free for Americans. However, why the bill limits itself to community colleges and not 4-year universities is a pertinent question. This article will explore the reasons behind this decision.
State Governance and Legal Challenges
States, not the federal government, primarily run community colleges. Any attempts by the Biden administration to mandate that states must cover community college costs will likely face legal challenges. The federal government's intrusion into a traditionally state domain would undoubtedly lead to numerous lawsuits.
Financial Constraints and Practical Considerations
The primary reason for limiting the plan to community colleges is cost. President Biden is aware that sending students to private universities is financially unsustainable with the current budget. Additionally, the political blowback from such a move would be significant. Community colleges tend to offer more practical majors with a clear career path, whereas private universities might offer majors like Lesbian Dance Theory and Gender Studies, which have little to no job prospects.
Mixed College Landscape
While the majority of community colleges are state-run, some four-year colleges are privately owned. This adds an interesting dynamic to the funding discussion and expands the scope of the analysis.
Supporting Practical and Beneficial Education
The author strongly supports the initiative to send those who cannot afford education to community colleges or vocational training programs over allowing them to receive taxpayer-funded welfare. Such measures ensure that these individuals gain practical skills and contribute positively to the workforce.
Strategic Plan for Higher Education Reform
Regarding why the bill does not cover 4-year universities, while it's possible that President Biden's cognitive function may have been under scrutiny, it does not suggest he has completely abandoned his strategic plan. The primary concern is the economic feasibility of the plan. Allocating funds to community colleges first ensures that a significant number of individuals receive the necessary education and skills without overburdening the budget.
Furthermore, setting a lower financial bar initially is a practical approach. If the initial plan demonstrates success, future plans can be adjusted accordingly. The hope is that as more individuals benefit and the system proves to be effective, the standards will be raised to align with the goals of higher education reform.
Biden remains committed to unifying the parties in support of his proposal. Over 70% public support for a proposal is a strong indicator of public mandate. However, the current political landscape has complicated matters. With Republican leaders in Congress signaling opposition to any and all negotiations, the likelihood of securing bipartisan support for the bill has diminished.
In conclusion, the decision to limit the American Families Plan to community colleges is a pragmatic and cost-effective approach that aims to provide practical education and skills to those who need it most, rather than extending coverage to less feasible and potentially less beneficial options like 4-year universities.