Letter: Reagan’s shocking view of education
I was shocked to read what state Senate District 17 candidate John Reagan said about higher education in your interview with him (“Reagan and Fraher face off in Senate District 17,” Monitor Local & State page, Oct. 25).
He wants UNH, a widely respected university with a worldwide reputation, to model itself on the University of Phoenix, which has been shown to milk funds from its students without giving them a good or a respected education, in order to enrich the owners and stockholders of the company by a massive transfer of wealth from the federal funds supporting low-income students to their wallets.
This is what Reagan wants for New Hampshire students?!
UNH, he claims, is “selling a service,” so people should be willing to pay for it, whatever its cost. But an education is not a simple service to a customer. It fosters innovation; it is crucial to the good, high-paying jobs that are necessary for a strong economy.
When everyone in a community has access to a great education, everyone benefits. America’s rise to power in the 20th century was fueled to a large degree by universal public education.
In the 21st century, maintaining strong institutions of public education will be an even more important requisite for remaining a leader among nations. It is higher education that will enable America to compete with China, India and other developing countries.
Reagan’s policies would put us among the other countries that don’t support strong public education: sinking deep into the third world. No thanks.
WILLEM A. deVRIES
Northwood
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