...”We should be expanding student aid, not slashing it”...
And, Mr. Krugman..Who will end up with that money? It will be your left wing academics and insitutions who will then raise tuition more to pay for their increasing salaries, sabbaticals, fancy “art” buildings in their name, and whatever else they would desire for themselves and their “agenda.” It will not go to further education in this country. Education needs severe reform through allowing our brightest and best to get the higher education which is free of left-wing political ideology. Many students belong in technical colleges or vocational schools which also cost way too much. College costs are a scam and need to be thoroughly exposed and investigated. A college education should involve acquiring a skill which everyone can recognize as useful. It should not be a propaganda training ground for socialism/communism.
I know one of these learned academics.
Without going into details, what you wrote about them could not be any closer to the truth. They are indeed running a huge scam and living large on the billions of institutional endowments, which are, of course, also subsidized on our backs via favorable tax treatment.
Getting into that elite club is not easy, but once you’re in, you’re in for life, and a very easy life it is.