<p>I’m not really asking for advice here, this is more of a discussion thread.</p>
<p>I’m an American living in Germany and will be graduating from a Bavarian Gymnasium this year. I am currently writing my thesis for my English class about American culture. According to my sources, self-reliance is one of the core values in American culture, which is why Obama’s health care program isn’t accepted by a great part of Americans.</p>
<p>But this really made me wonder, if people are so focused on self-reliance that they don’t want this kind of health care, because they don’t want to pay for “some unemployed lazy-ass bum’s” health care, how can they justify getting so much money for college education, something that of course is important, but not vital to survive, while this health care program can save lives? Isn’t that kind of hypocritical?</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a wonderful thing that financial aid can make it possible for everyone to get a good education, but I also support Obama’s health care program, having experienced the wonderful health care in Germany. I don’t mean to offend anyone, I just don’t understand how you can be against the health care program if you’re getting thousands of free dollars a year for college.</p>
<p>That is the dichotomy of American culture. We want to get free money for education, but don’t want to pay for healthcare. We want our social security money, but don’t like free govt programs that help the poor.<br>
I find this country ful of hipocrates.
Is it self-reliance or is it selfish? </p>
<p>BTW, this should be over on the political threads.</p>
<p>Oh sorry, I didn’t see that they had a section for that ^^</p>
<p>There is no more political thread. So let’s keep this topic to the financial aid issue without venturing into politics.</p>
<p>Federally funded need based aid is really targeted at those with very low incomes per family. The aid they receive will fund community college costs for a student who commutes. We’re not talking the government funding a Harvard education as a resident student. This need based financial aid gives these students the opportunity to pursue higher education and perhaps find a job that will enable future generations NOT to be eligible or need federally funded need based aid.</p>
<p>I don’t know who your sources are, but self-reliance has not been a core American value for a long time. The basic American value now seems to be greed. That would explain the apparent contradiction in your question.</p>
<p>Personally I think this discussion should be moved to the parent’s cafe or elsewhere. It is not about financial aid.</p>
<p>Having said that…I’m sorry mama bear, but those students who qualify for federally funded need based aid are not a greedy bunch. They would not otherwise have the resources to attend even a community college as a commuter.</p>
<p>xnamelessx, you do raise an interesting question. There is a certain notion that one’s child should be able to go to any college/unversity he/she wishes to attend, and if one’s family can’t afford to pay for it, then magically the financial aid system should produce the money. For lack of better terminology, you could call it a middle-class sense of entitlement.</p>
<p>Not everyone subscribes to that notion of course, as you can learn by reading through the various threads here in the Fin Aid Forum. Many parents do save diligently for their children’s educations. Others choose to send their children to institutions that are affordable out-of-pocket.</p>
<p>Why the US doesn’t have a functional national healthcare system unlike all the other developed countries is a long and messy story. It has very little to do with any cultural values of self-reliance.</p>