General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTime: Hillary Clinton Adopts Major Bernie Sanders’ Idea: Free College for (Almost) Everyone
Bernie Sanders has won a major concession from Hillary Clinton, who committed on Wednesday to a plan that would make college free for more than 80% of American families by 2021.
Clintons new plan would make college tuition-free for all students from families making $125,000 a year or less. It would start at $85,000 and increase by $10,000 each year, paid for by closing high income tax loopholes, according to a campaign aide.
The announcement is a major victory for Sanders and his supporters. Clintons plan would ultimately require only the top 15% or so of households to pay for collegeas close to a full endorsement of Sanders free college plan as the Vermont Senator could hope for.
Sanders praised the announcement in glowing terms. This proposal, when implemented, will revolutionize the funding of higher education in America, improve the economic future of our country and make life immediately better for tens of millions of people stuck with high levels of student debt, he said.
I want to take this opportunity to applaud Secretary Clinton for the very bold initiative she has just brought forth today for the financing of higher education, Sanders added.
It is unlikely that such a plan would pass in a Republican-controlled Congress. And questions remain about whether state governments could obstruct funding.
Still, the plan is a symbolic step toward unity in the Democratic Party, and could help push Sanders into endorsing Clinton. While Donald Trump offers little more than broken promises to get rich quick, I remain committed to ensuring that a college degree is attainable for anyone in this country with the desire and determination to earn one, Clinton said in a statement.
<snip>
http://time.com/4394699/hillary-clinton-free-college-bernie-sanders-tuition/?xid=msn
Renew Deal
(81,871 posts)tk2kewl
(18,133 posts)and class division often deteriorates into cultural and racial division
means testing also encourages cheating.
it's better than nothing but more complicated than it needs to be to accomplish the goal.
Jitter65
(3,089 posts)villager
(26,001 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)Here's hoping she sticks to it.
Ilsa
(61,698 posts)can't afford it because they're playing financial catch-up from raising a disabled child? Or several younger children? Or they still have to meet a $5,000 deductible for medical insurance every year. Maybe $125,000 AGI, but I don't like the cut-off.
B2G
(9,766 posts)A family of 4 earning 125K a year IS middle class these days.
And I hate these arbitrary income numbers. 125K is so much different depending on where you live and your family circumstances.
Ilsa
(61,698 posts)Difficult to raise a family on in California.
B2G
(9,766 posts)bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)Nt
Jemmons
(711 posts)Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)Thank goodness he hasn't thrown in the towel! The Democratic Party needs all the good ideas it can campaign on.