In today’s America, the struggle young people face in pursuing higher education and building successful careers has become a pressing issue. This challenge is intimately connected to policies like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that affect college admissions across the nation. Critics argue that DEI initiatives in elite universities are compromising the merit-based system and causing students to enter institutions where they cannot thrive academically, which could have long-term negative impacts on their careers and the economy at large.
According to the narrative put forth by some commentators, students who gain admission to institutions like Harvard and Yale primarily due to DEI preferences may often find themselves opting for softer majors in African American or Women’s Studies, rather than pursuing demanding fields such as engineering or computer science. This decision is reportedly made because their test scores and grades, though inflated, do not match the demanding standards of these elite schools in technical disciplines. Consequently, graduates may end up with degrees that do not necessarily enhance their employability or earning potential, leading to a cycle of unfulfilled expectations and financial instability.
But let’s peel back the layers a bit more. The economic landscape for young professionals today is indisputably tough. Even those who graduate with degrees in high-demand fields face competitive job markets and steep living costs, especially in cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco. In these cities, high taxes and escalating living expenses make it nearly impossible for young people to save and secure their futures. High property prices, inflated by more than just market trends but also by regulatory frameworks and mishandled government programs, further exacerbate the hurdles faced by the younger generation.
Moreover, the staggering cost of tuition leaves many students buried in debt. The government-backed student loan system, intended to make education accessible, inadvertently results in universities hiking tuition fees while adding very little value for students who, at times, only receive remote instruction or rote learning. The universities, however, continue to profit substantially, immune to the outcomes of their graduates’ success or failure in the real world.
And then there is the proposed approach of using higher taxation as a strategy to rectify these imbalances, which brings its own pitfalls. Increasing taxes might deter businesses from maintaining their operations within certain states, prompting a potential exodus to more tax-friendly locations. The proposed solution also fails to consider the deeper, less tangible costs—such as quality of life and mental well-being—that arise when urban living conditions deteriorate as they have in places like New York City.
The cycle of taxing individuals and businesses more heavily in an attempt to provide relief and opportunities for others not only risks driving economic stakeholders away, but also risks creating an unsustainable environment. Instead, a careful and balanced approach is needed where market dynamics are respected, and educational institutions are held accountable for the value they promise to deliver. By fostering an environment where merit, accountability, and practical policy solutions take precedence, it is possible to create a landscape that offers genuine opportunity and hope for prosperity.
