A recent news article included a remark from an ‘advocate for the poor’, who vehemently opposed this much touted package, saying that putting money in the hands of the poorest amongst us would do far more to stimulate the economy, as poor people “tend to spend money more rapidly, because they have several more direct needs”. Among the many direct needs which are not a part of the stimulus package, are adult and community education programs. People who cannot afford adult and community education fees should be subsidized. Even before the 2008 Presidential election, we have been hearing much of the economic stimulus plan, designed to jolt the economy back on track. In the case of certificate education programs, many adults could be working and spending in a matter of months and would continue to do so for a lifetime.

Surprisingly, the main focus has been on bailing out failed banks and large corporations who don’t seem to know how to run their businesses. As for qualifying, unlike the big corporate bailouts, recipients of such grants could be tied to maintaining a B average GPA in order to continue receiving funding. Two and four year adult and community education programs, resulting in a degree, would also stimulate the economy, increasing demand for goods and thus manufacturing. Haggling in the House and Senate over the current stimulus package has been principally concerned with keeping the bill to the taxpayers at a palatable level, deemed to be about $800 billion dollars, give or take a few billion. College and community education providers could thus expand their classes, creating immediate jobs for instructors. In the long run, the entire society would benefit. Current estimates indicate that over 50 million people in the U.S. live at, or below, the poverty line.

The fact remains that the majority of this money is going to be given to the big business interests. One could argue that adult and community education programs lie at the heart of a prosperous society. Without an aggressive, subsidized, adult and community education mandate, this number will only grow. Having given out $350 billion already, no strings attached, our elected officials are now saying that future handouts will require accountability. If a 19-year old person with only a high school diploma can hope for nothing better than a minimum wage job for the rest of his working life and cannot afford a single college class to better his position, there is no possibility, much less incentive, to contribute in even a low cost community education program. Conversely, subsidizing adult continuing education programs, adult certificate programs and adult degree programs will confidently rouse the economy for decades to come.

This does not mean much to the average citizen. By the time any effects of this trickle-down policy reach us, the stimulus may not mean anything. While the economic stimulus plan makes reference to new jobs in ‘green’ industries, where do they suppose that aptitude will be found? These new industries will need college educated people, as well as non-degreed workers to make this all happen. A less direct, although equally important outcome would be empowering people with dignity and a decent living. Adult and community education programs are indispensable if we are to realize a renewed, robust economy in the future. The sooner, the better, I’d say.