Affordable America

The SOTU by the POTUS was AFFORDABLE.

Affordable Education was a foundation block and affordable immigration was a cornerstone. Then this was followed by affordable energy, affordable manufacturing and affordable housing. And to make all these items affordable, we will raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour. Further, Obama reached out and took credit for Apple building affordable MACs again in America and a host of other affordable things. This morning, I am interested in the affordable education component of his SOTU. 

According to Obama, the government will initiate new pre-school programs for children under 4 years of age.  Obama proposes working with states to make high-quality preschool available to every child in America. Obama suggests that every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than seven dollars later on – by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime. If that is the case, then we should invest a $trillion in education and that would save $7 trillion of deficit. He will direct high schools to train students with new skills so they can make a living upon graduation at the new minimum wage of $9 per hour. e.g. This is $18,000 per year. With affordable medical insurance for an individual at $5,000 [the affordable care act] per year, there will not be much left over for affordable rent and food.

Obama also suggested that America makes sure that a high school diploma puts our kids on a path to a good job. Right now, countries like Germany focus on graduating their high school students with the equivalent of a technical degree from one of our community colleges, so that they’re ready for a job.

Wise people often advise organizations that if you try to be all things to everybody, then you wind up being nothing to anybody. It works for business. It works for individuals and it should work for government. 

As listened to the SOTU address I became lethargic just thinking about all the things Obama says he and congress can do. Something for everybody is too little for anybody.