Changes

Organization (2002) [http://www.escwa.org.lb/information/publications/edit/upload/tech-02-02.pdf UN]. Accessed 2 February 2008</ref>

Organization (2002) [http://www.escwa.org.lb/information/publications/edit/upload/tech-02-02.pdf UN]. Accessed 2 February 2008</ref>

However, the idea that higher education through colleges is necessary for greater productivity and higher income is challenged by many. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2008 the average college graduate made $46,000 while the average plumber made $49,200, the average electrician $44,000, the average HVAC tech $47,000 and the average carpenter $42,940. In addition, only 35 percent of students earn a diploma in four years, and just 52 percent graduate in six, with the national college-dropout rate being 65 percent.<ref>http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2010/02/27/opinion/469171.txt</ref> "Blue collar" tradesmen are also not burdened with years of college debt, nor do they add to the national debt by going into public service in order to have their student loans "forgiven" after 10 years of employment therein (with 120 continuous payments).<ref>[http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24922.pdfSection 685.219—Public Service Loan, p. 15.27]</ref>  Institutions of higher education therefore put a drain on a country's manpower and resources for which there can be no justification in difficult economic times.  The previously strong US economy will be restored to its former efficiency when the staggering sums currently being diverted to higher education are put to more effective use in reducing the absurdly high deficit by cutting programs that demonstrably serve no useful purpose.

However, the idea that higher education through colleges is necessary for greater productivity and higher income is challenged by many. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2008 the average college graduate made $46,000 while the average plumber made $49,200, the average electrician $44,000, the average HVAC tech $47,000 and the average carpenter $42,940. In addition, only 35 percent of students earn a diploma in four years, and just 52 percent graduate in six, with the national college-dropout rate being 65 percent.<ref>http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2010/02/27/opinion/469171.txt</ref> "Blue collar" tradesmen are also not burdened with years of college debt, nor do they add to the national debt by going into public service in order to have their student loans "forgiven" after 10 years of employment therein (with 120 continuous payments).<ref>[http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service]</ref>  Institutions of higher education therefore put a drain on a country's manpower and resources for which there can be no justification in difficult economic times.  The previously strong US economy will be restored to its former efficiency when the staggering sums currently being diverted to higher education are put to more effective use in reducing the absurdly high deficit by cutting programs that demonstrably serve no useful purpose.

==Political stability and democracy==

==Political stability and democracy==