2015 State of the Union address: on Education


Arvin Vohra: Cut back Common Core and the Department of Education

The Libertarian Party suggests not just stopping Obama's proposed new programs, but rolling back old ones that most Americans don't consider might be hurting more than helping. Party vice-chair Arvin Vohra suggests, for example, that rather than further subsidizing community colleges, Obama could do more for both educational affordability and quality by cutting back existing federal interventions and contributions to education, all the way down to Common Core and the Department of Education
Source: Reason Mag.: Libertarian response to 2015 State of the Union Jan 20, 2015

Barack Obama: Lower the cost of community college to zero

America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, and sent a generation of GIs to college. But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more.

We still live in a country where too many are priced out of the education they need. It's not fair to them, & it's not smart for our future. That's why I am sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college--to zero.

40% of our college students choose community college. This plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt. Understand, you've got to earn it--you've got to keep your grades up and graduate on time. I want to spread that idea all across America, so that two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today. And I want to work with this Congress, to make sure Americans already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments, so that student debt doesn't derail anyone's dreams.

Source: 2015 State of the Union address Jan 20, 2015

Libertarian Party: Make college affordable by ending subsidies and mandates

[President Obama in his State of the Union speech] proposes pouring more taxpayer dollars into another federal education program, this time for community colleges. But federal intervention has driven up the price of higher education.

What if we could make college affordable right now by simply getting government out of higher ed? Without subsidies and costly mandates, competition will force colleges to decrease their tuition or go out of business. Massive student debt would be a thing of the past.

Mr. President, we can have world-class education. The first step is defunding and eliminating the federal Department of Education, abolishing Common Core, and allowing parents to take full control over their children's education. Free-market competition will raise educational standards, lower costs, and prepare students to compete in a global economy.

Source: 2015 State of the Union Libertarian Party response Jan 20, 2015

Libertarian Party: Cut back Common Core and the Department of Education

The Libertarian Party suggests not just stopping Obama's proposed new programs, but rolling back old ones that most Americans don't consider might be hurting more than helping. Party vice-chair Arvin Vohra suggests, for example, that rather than further subsidizing community colleges, Obama could do more for both educational affordability and quality by cutting back existing federal interventions and contributions to education, all the way down to Common Core and the Department of Education
Source: Reason Mag.: Libertarian response to 2015 State of the Union Jan 20, 2015

  • The above quotations are from 2015 State of the Union address to Congress, plus the Republican Responses: Jan. 20, 2015.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Education.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Barack Obama on Education.
  • Click here for more quotes by Joni Ernst on Education.
2016 Presidential contenders on Education:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019