When talking about College and Education, our candidates should

frame it as Job Training. Or Trades Training. A Democratic position is Education. Continuing education should focus on the Trades and actual training for local needs. We should not keep saying College, as it can sound elitist and snobby. And, many Americans either can’t or won’t do the degree thing.

Remember when Santorum said President Obama was a “Snob” for wanting everyone to go to college? That was a valuable “tell”. We can deflate that GOP talking point by calling it Job Training. The FAFSA system needs to be streamlined to allow a quick sign up, with very little needed information, to get funding for training. Every American with a SSAN should be able to sign up and go to their Community College for Training, and the training should be free, or nearly free.

I’m talking Welding, Plumbing, Electrician, Air Conditioning, and the like. Also, Electronic Assembly, IT Networking, Supply Techs, Medical and Dental assistant. There are many more. Each region in the country has special needs. The infrastructure is already in place for this thanks to President Obama.

EDIT: I say, as a Democrat who wants to open our tent more, we’ve got to think about winning the Electoral College. Winning by shear numbers won’t work, as we all have seen. My proposal is a change that could reap big rewards in Middle America.