Erik, two points:

1. The idea that the U.S. is falling behind internationally isn't entirely true. The U.S. remains the world's leader in scientific research and development. More patent applications come from the United States than any other nation.

(Again, not that we can't do better. But a lot of scientific breakthroughs still take place right here.)

2. If we're falling behind in higher education, then why do so many foreign nationals come here to go to college?

Foreign nationals come here to go to college too. Americans included. In fact, I believe they go to the UK too so it cuts both ways.

I did some college at UCG!  Good times.

Since it has been mentioned here that the money spent on the war is well spent, and worth the tax dollars going toward it, I would have to ask how we all would feel if we really were taxed on the war. If, instead of corporate taxes being lowered, and funding being borrowed, IF every time a new Defense Budget came up we were directly taxed to support it-- how would that feel? Just curious.

Geoff is correct - I wasn't talking about Scott - I was referring to Obama.

But Scott's over the top over-reaction is characteristic of his behavior on this board.

I thought we were better than that.

I'm worried about you, Scott.  I pity you.

Geoff, when I was a kid, my mom went to CCSF for free - by the time I started in 1991, (while still in high school) it was $3 a unit, and by the time I left to transfer to SFSU, it was $30 a unit.