honestly, having paid my own way through college, I understand 100% that it sucks, and I face the same concern that you do. this government spends a fortune trying to promote education in other countries, while the kids of this country sit in class reading out of date books, progressively falling behind more and more. the reply of 'get a better job' can apply to anything, but its rarely a valid comment. we need to focus OUR tax dollars on improving OUR country. our foreign policies are a fine example of poor decisions on spending, and we are talking what now, trillions of dollars spent on the bush versus the middle east war? i support the troops, and at first, i supported the efforts, but at this point, we shouldnt have to babysit other countries.

say that we took 1 million dollars worth of "war money". my education cost me around 10,000 a year...and at that rate, the money that is being spent to babysit the middle east, even that "small" fraction of what the government is spending, would send 25 kids through 4-year degrees.

now, at the same time, i am opposed to "Free education". nothing is free, and in the end, tax dollars pay for things like government grants and such, but not every student makes good use of those grants. i made the most of mine, but i will still be paying on those bills practically forever. 1 in 3 high school seniors entering a 4 year program finishes, and something like half of all freshmen fail out in the first year, so if the govt was to hand those kids the money to go to school, they wouldnt be losing anything to blow the money and fail out, so there needs to be some sort of plan set up where kids can afford to go to school, but still have a future obligation, so that they take the money that is being spent seriously.

as for the pay of the military..that is a tough call. i dont think that you guys should be sent overseas to babysit other people. your job is to protect this country, but say that we pulled out of these places like iraq or kosovo...how would that impact the active military guys? do you get 'laid off'? I will admit, im not sure what would happen if there were no skermishes around the world for you guys to go crush...