Marriage Equality

Same sex marriage is currently legal in 35 states either from legislative action, popular vote, or court decision. In Kisha Naik's article on Legalizing same sex marriage in all states, she argues that, “Gay people should have the same rights just as everyone else in this country; they are human beings and citizens of the United States so they need to be treated with equality.” I agree, gay people should have marriage equality just like everyone else. Many may disagree due to religious views and say that it “redefines marriage”. Weather you think it is right or wrong who has the right to define marriage in the United States?

Kentucky recently finished a 6^th circuit federal court case on same sex marriage. The results were not enough for the plaintiff or Governor Steve Beshear. Beshear has "consistently taken the position that the citizens of Kentucky deserve to have the highest court of the land determine" whether there is a constitutional right to gay marriage.(1) The plaintiffs filed a petition on Nov. 18^th asking the Supreme Court to hear their case.

I hope that the Supreme Court chooses to hear this case, or a similar case. A decision needs to be made. The question is not can gay people can get married, its who has the right to define “marriage”.

Free Education in America

Obama once said, “The single most important thing we can do is to make sure we’ve got a world-class education system for everybody. That is a prerequisite for prosperity.” Tuition rates climb higher every year, mostly due to the lack of federal funding. Many Americans are forced to either accumulate massive debt to attend college or not attend at all. 70% of those who attend and graduate accumulate an average debt of $29,400(1). Why not develop a system where Americans can attend college for little or no money?

I'm not expecting any increase in federal funding to colleges and universities to be helpful with our national debt over 18 trillion. I'm more interested in restructuring the higher education system to help lower tuition rates. Since the 1960-1970's the structure in which a college operates hasn't changed much. Over the last 50 years federal funding has decreased and tuition rates have risen but the structure in which the college operates is still the same. Here are a couple changes I believe would help college become nearly free.

First, we need to re-allocate the money already given to colleges and universities. The cost of all public universities is $62.6 billion. The government gives out $69 billion of student aid to the neediest students. Why are we still giving grants to the neediest to attend college when the majority who attend are struggling with debt? Why not give the federal student aid money to colleges and universities, with the requirement that they lower their tuition rates? Not only could the average American attend college debt free but the neediest students wouldn't have to apply for government aid as an only option.

Second, we need to streamline the education system. For example, Rosetta Stone, is proven to be cheaper and more effective than classroom learning. Rosetta Stone uses picture association to teach you a new language, proven to be much more effective than repeating, memorizing, and testing in a classroom. Other subjects could be consolidated and administered by colleges for cheaper rates than hiring a professor. One university has already risen to the challenge. Stanford University started a free on-line class on artificial intelligence earlier this year. Enrollment in the class quickly rose above 100,000. While passing the class will not award any “Carnegie credits” (official college credit), finishing the class in the top 1000 would be an amazing success. Stanford then keeps the results of the course like a transcript. I think Stanford has the right idea. Consolidating and streamlining certain classes from established universities would make tuition cheaper.

A “world class education-system for everybody,” is possible. Many countries have already adopted the idea of free education. Germany offers over 900 programs in English for free and is eager to attract foreign students. Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, Brazil, Finland, and France also charge no tuition. America needs to reallocate financial aid and streamline education before we can have a “world class education-system” equal to other countries.


Sources:
(1): http://ourfuture.org/20140117/tuition-free-public-college-education-is-possible-demand-it