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President Obama’s higher education initiatives have always come under the scanner attracting criticism. In keeping with the trend, Senator Rick Santorum recently called President Obama snob for his statement that college education is a must for all Americans.

There cannot be any doubt that he was completely wrong. All Americans have to go to college if we have to face the challenge of stiff global competition. As compared to Americans with high school diploma, those who have a college degree have greater opportunities for employment.

Again, as compared to earlier generations, even manufacturing jobs today require higher skills. It is the duty of every single American who can afford it to reach out for and complete college education. The issue here is that college is today made accessible only for the affluent and not that it is only for snobs.

A college degree is the only path to the middle class for the working class American today. With a lot of hope in their hearts, we see many families struggling to educate their children as they realize that only through post secondary education they can grow economically. This is also the only way our country can produce quality leaders for the next generation.

In today’s situation, we all know that middle class America cannot afford the four year colleges. These colleges with their inaccessibility have successfully reduced their ability to promote the economic and social mobility in our country.

These colleges are so very expensive that middle and working class families have to choose between getting their children into a lifetime of debt and purchasing a home. For Americans, owning a property is still paramount to security and economic improvement in spite of the housing crisis.

This American dream is definitely not possible for the working and middle class carrying the huge burden of college debt.  A critical question to be answered here is whether four year colleges are actually contributing to creating and not closing economic inequality gaps due to their high costs. Obviously, our politicians are least bothered.

A budget proposal was passed by the House of Representatives recently axing financial aid for people who are desperately in need of it. Over $3 million is all set to be axed from Pell Grants very soon. This will close opportunities for at least 400,000 students.

At least eight million students from the low-income families are funded through federal grants each year. Rungs from the ladder must not be removed now when there is a dire need for post secondary education to ensure that our country remains strong amidst the stiffly competitive global economy.

With regards to who must attend college, Senator Santorum has completely missed the mark. However a very important aspect about the future of our nation arises out of his statement. How will the youngsters from the working class ever be able to be educated? Investing in those families is now imperative if our country has to grow.

It is time our representatives and senators put their heads together and work out ways to bring down college costs. American youngsters must no more have to choose between manageable debt and better education.