But one must always analyze "proverbs".
I cannot really analyse fortune cookies, proverbs, bumper stickers, tea leaves or whatever. Yes there is some truth in them but it is far from the whole truth.

I suppose I was mostly considering the last eight years of school. I did consider the cost issue.
Well maybe this is why we all differ. You are talking from your personal background, steelish is talking from the basis of hers and I am not talking from my own personal background just the values and principles I was taught to believe in.

if you do not work and apply yourself as a student everything is wasted
I said children do work - doing schoolwork. Steelish talked about work meaning doing chores for cash to learn the value of a buck and importance of hard work. Yes of course if they dont apply themselves as student then the education is not entirely wasted but they are not making the most of the opportunity but is this the same work as cash for chores.

First, there is no way that education can be free. Here education is not within the authority of the Congress. They should not be involved!
By free I mean at zero financial cost to student or family. Governments (local-national) should pay for it and have a degree of say in educational matters. My view is obviously different to yours on this one.

Education is an investment in self! Perhaps in your statement it is true that America has a better education, but in my estimation the education in America sucks!
Better than China - but thats not saying much is it. As for Europe-America comparison I'm sure that would be a hot potato (we won't even agree on how to pronounce that word). Everybody benefits from education. The student from better job and pay. The government from more tax and more manageable citizens (unlikely to riot). The country from increased wealth, better products and services etc.

Yes few make it to the top. That is because there are FEW at the top.I am talking percentage. What percent of CEOs in America don't have a degree and also what percent of high earners are in jobs where you can succeed without a degree. The number of people steelish is talking about who made it to the top without education is few both in number and percent.

The difference between having an idea, a good work ethic, and drive to build a company and becoming a doctor or a lawyer are different tracks.
I agree mostly but not entirely. I think back in the days of Henry Ford and the like you would be right but in todays world I am not so sure. Yep a Henry Ford today could probaby have a good garage and be moderately successful but I doubt he could have the same level of success. The difference between now and then is the higher level of technology and knowledge needed. I am not sure on this one but suspect I am right.

Did you see the posting regarding the standard of living of the "poor" in the USA?
I briefly looked but the moment I saw stats on TV and house ownership I knew my defintion of poor was very different from what was being discussed. By poor I mean eating out of trash cans or not enough to give your kids healthy diets.


PS Steelish - If this topic is to be discussed in terms of your personal family background you make it impossible for me to respond without running the risk of offending you again. I am in effect silenced.