It's virtually common knowledge that the more educated a person is, the more money they make (and in turn the more tax revenue they generate) as well as the less money they consume (either through social services and/or jail.) So why, now, of all times are we cutting funding to public education? We are in a financial situation where not only do we have a high debt but we can't even pay for all the things we want on a daily basis. This is a short sighted stop gap solution that is going to burn us far down the road. And while we are on the subject: Why are there no public colleges? School is paid for by the government all the way up to high school where it suddenly stops. Why is the only option private college? And college isn't an elective anymore. A high school diploma isn't enough anymore. Two year and four year college degrees are requirements now for a middle class existence since our economy is using mechanization rather than manpower to reduce the costs of labor and increase productivity.