Thaddeus

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

Politicians who tote higher education as the savior to peoples' livelihoods and futures do so to mask the fact that they have few/no answers to bringing more living-wage jobs with legal protection to market....

Thaddeus

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.

Yes University education is very expensive. Yes, I believe most of us would agree that knowledge and education are great and noble things. But the main reason why most people undertake University educations is to make themselves more "employable." As millions upon millions who already have University degrees and now many years of real-life experience are shut-out of the job market and any kind of livelihood because of a dire LACK OF JOBS - let's not kid ourselves. Until millions of living-wage jobs and legal protection in American employment is restored, dollar-for-dollar a University education is probably one of the worst investments a person can make. This is particularly true for formal education beyond the two-year degree/ technical certification more associated with Community Colleges. Not only are there not jobs for all of the many millions of University grads already out there, but millions of these grads are absolutely fed-up with being told they are unemployable with their four- and six-year degrees because they are "over-educated, over-qualified, too-specialized,...." As a supporter, believer, and product of higher education I caution anyone considering putting their lives on hold for half a decade to get this too-often "useless" and even worse COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE (not to meantion very expensive) piece of paper in a frame. In an era where corporate failure is a very profitable mission and too often requires the hiring of less-experienced, less-skilled, younger, and more disposable employees. Young adults today are better off in any way getting into the job market. Use the often $100,000s that would have gone to a degree to set-up a long-term investment or savings vehicle. Or go play the craps tables. The investment payoff are probably better than being University-educated in this job market....

Henry Loyd

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.

Dear president I did have a problem with the University of Michigan admissions. My daughter who is now a doctor was denied admissions to the UM in favor of giving scholarships to jocks. If you think this is fair I would like you to say so. If you think it is fair for professional jock who get tax payer subsidies to use illeagal drug I want you to say so. I thought it was fair to fine the commissioner 100% of his salery. but if you think it isok for taxpayers to be forced to give tax breaks and incentive to jock is is ok to say so. your loving supporter henry

ann_arbor_guy

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.

I am very happy and proud that the president is speaking at UofM today. As a Michigan resident I am very happy he fought to save the automakers, our state would have been devastated if there wasn't some type of intervention. I feel every Michigander owes the president a debt of gratitude for this assistance and I am confident that he can help improve the college tuition problem as well.

joe.blow

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.

Obama is such a tool. He's going to tell these sheep whatever they want to hear with no intention of following through on any of it. The president has no power to set college affordability (tuition), that's the states job. But, he'll be strong on HOPE, because we all need hope, only us losers actually need results.