I tried to warn you about this guy before you elected him. Governor Cuomo today announced a statewide initiative to provide free college education at 10 New York State prisons. His is the liberal argument that giving inmates a free education is cheaper than incarcerating them and is a benefit to society. I disagree, and think this sends a terrible message to the working, law abiding citizens of the state.
Society already gives free rent, free heat, and free everything to those who cannot or will not work. Many people are in jail because they choose to commit crimes. People aren't shoplifting because they don't have food on the table. In most cases, it is a lifestyle choice. Why work for nicer clothes when you can just buy them with someone else's stolen credit card? What kind of message does Cuomo's plan send to a college student with $20,000 (or more) in student loan debt? High school students are already offered a free education. Many families simply do not appreciate it or value education in general, and that's why they end up choosing a life of crime over hard work.
I think Cuomo has lived such a privileged life that he doesn't even stop to think about who will foot the bill for the free prison colleges. That money will come from taxpayers, including the working poor. Now, if all New York state public colleges offered free tuition to New York residents, I would have no problem with giving prisoners the same benefit. However, that is not the case. While I get the concept, I view this as another slap in the face to the middle class. Judging from the comments I've read on Facebook and elsewhere regarding this plan, Cuomo is going to face some harsh criticism from his constituents.
You can find Cuomo's press release on this plan at the following link:
http://bit.ly/1bVwT4M
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