The more highly educated the population of a nation becomes, the more productive the whole nation becomes, increasing the Gross National Product, The Gross Domestic Product therefore pumping more money into the country, increasing out patents, inventions, better medicine. Look at Israel. New industries. More innovation. We will be able to catch up to the other industrialized nations again. But the Republicans are repeating the lies that the lobbyists pay them to say. Keep making the rich richer and they will give you jobs but that has been proved wrong 12 years in a row. Republican plan only the rich will be educated and we will be a very backward poor nation far behind the rest of the industrialized nations. We should have another way in addition to the GI bill to acquire less expensive education for potential students to not be burdened with such high education costs and interest that cannot possible justify the employment they could possibly get but may not even get (it's a bit of a gamble when stakes are so high). It should be available for every qualified American citizen, be it formal college or at least technical school after high school will greatly enrich our whole nation as a truly capitalistic society making everyone truly able to compete and contribute to make this country stronger. But I also think that every one should serve at least 2 years in civil service after high school like they do in Israel. If you do not or can not go into the military, there are many ways that you can serve your country. The money that it would save the local or national government could go towards your education. If you don't want an education that's too bad, you need to serve anyways. While you serve, you may learn a lot, mature and grow to appreciate the country that you live in. It may expand your mind and may inspire you to want to acquire and apply yourself to an education. I am currently in school, have grants and loans and am feeling like it is a big gamble that I may end up getting gainfully employed or may not and may have a very difficult time paying back my loans. I love education. It means everything to me.