Reply #145: To elaborate on your points [View All]

That $20 billion is less than what we spend in Iraq in 2 months, and it's certainly a hell of a lot less than what universal healthcare would cost.

My understanding is that this was an account which could only be drawn upon by the kid once she turns 18, so parents can't use it to buy a plasma screen TV or whatever.

Politically, the idea offers the springboard for a discussion about real liberal values, e.g. "a kid doesn't get to choose the income level of their parents -- why not move towards equalizing opportunity".

My concern is whether this policy is the best way of getting a bang for the bucks. Investing in early education has been shown to yield dramatic results. Moreover, it might be more prudent to put the cash into a program for college grants and subsidized loans only for those in need.