On Funding "The Future"
(Note: Numbers are vague because I don't want anyone knowing my shit.)
As I sit here doing my taxes, it strikes me as profoundly exploitative, moreso than the current scientific higher education system already is (a topic for another time). Now, mind you, this isn't the vague juvenile "I don't want to give them my money" sentiment that many of my peers have. I realize that governments need money in order to operate and though our resident bureaucracy has become a bloated and festering behemoth, it's generally preferable to anarchy.
Now, as a moderately honest individual, I have reported the entirety of my income, which, by government tallies, is somewhere in the range of $40k-50k. I owe the government about 15% of my income (10% federal, 5% state). I am actually willing to pay this much with the understanding that it is a hell of a lot less than most of the postindustrial citizens of the world. However, there is one mighty caveat: I would be willing to pay this much if I made this much.
Here's comes the festival of fucked-up accounting: graduate students are paid to go to school and learn, an investment on the government's part in its brightest and/or most dedicated citizens. Make no mistake, this is awesome. However, our "salaries" include certain expenses, most notably our tuition and associated school fees. This means that of the 40-50k that I am "paid" annually, I see about $25k.
Math wizards in the audience will see a problem: individuals who make $40-50k doing "normal jobs" pay 15% income tax. Individuals who the government believes are somehow "worthy" of being paid for their gross nerdity end up paying ~30% income tax. That's a backhanded compliment if I've ever heard one.
"Dear citizen, we believe you have the potential to contribute favorably to the future of this society, so we choose to pay you for your continued education as an investment."
"Great! But--"
"However, since you are a student, we feel that you do not need as much money as Jimmybob your neighbor, who is employed as an entry-level accountant at a venture capital firm which mainly invests in foreign companies."
"That...um...that doesn't make any sense."
"Failure to comply will result in fines and possible incarceration."
"Who came up with these laws?"
"Your congressmen, who are wise enough to realize that any education beyond that of juvenile alcoholism and athletics worship is unnecessary to become a successful public figure."
I'm also aware that I have it relatively easy as a graduate student, many of whom must teach constantly simply to fund their own existence. However, they have to pay tuition too. Yes, there are deductions available to graduate students, but the most efficient of these is capped at 2k and does not even exist in the California state tax code. A bit more mathematical sorcery might expose the thought that, "Hm, 2k is a lot less than 40-50k minus 25k." Which means that most of the tuition part of my income (which I never see) still counts against me. Hard. Like a horn-studded, demonic hemipenis. In fact, I'm considering a petition: "Petition to change 'Qualified Tuition And Related Expenses' to 'Hemipenis Rape Funds.'"
Any signers?
As I sit here doing my taxes, it strikes me as profoundly exploitative, moreso than the current scientific higher education system already is (a topic for another time). Now, mind you, this isn't the vague juvenile "I don't want to give them my money" sentiment that many of my peers have. I realize that governments need money in order to operate and though our resident bureaucracy has become a bloated and festering behemoth, it's generally preferable to anarchy.
Now, as a moderately honest individual, I have reported the entirety of my income, which, by government tallies, is somewhere in the range of $40k-50k. I owe the government about 15% of my income (10% federal, 5% state). I am actually willing to pay this much with the understanding that it is a hell of a lot less than most of the postindustrial citizens of the world. However, there is one mighty caveat: I would be willing to pay this much if I made this much.
Here's comes the festival of fucked-up accounting: graduate students are paid to go to school and learn, an investment on the government's part in its brightest and/or most dedicated citizens. Make no mistake, this is awesome. However, our "salaries" include certain expenses, most notably our tuition and associated school fees. This means that of the 40-50k that I am "paid" annually, I see about $25k.
Math wizards in the audience will see a problem: individuals who make $40-50k doing "normal jobs" pay 15% income tax. Individuals who the government believes are somehow "worthy" of being paid for their gross nerdity end up paying ~30% income tax. That's a backhanded compliment if I've ever heard one.
"Dear citizen, we believe you have the potential to contribute favorably to the future of this society, so we choose to pay you for your continued education as an investment."
"Great! But--"
"However, since you are a student, we feel that you do not need as much money as Jimmybob your neighbor, who is employed as an entry-level accountant at a venture capital firm which mainly invests in foreign companies."
"That...um...that doesn't make any sense."
"Failure to comply will result in fines and possible incarceration."
"Who came up with these laws?"
"Your congressmen, who are wise enough to realize that any education beyond that of juvenile alcoholism and athletics worship is unnecessary to become a successful public figure."
I'm also aware that I have it relatively easy as a graduate student, many of whom must teach constantly simply to fund their own existence. However, they have to pay tuition too. Yes, there are deductions available to graduate students, but the most efficient of these is capped at 2k and does not even exist in the California state tax code. A bit more mathematical sorcery might expose the thought that, "Hm, 2k is a lot less than 40-50k minus 25k." Which means that most of the tuition part of my income (which I never see) still counts against me. Hard. Like a horn-studded, demonic hemipenis. In fact, I'm considering a petition: "Petition to change 'Qualified Tuition And Related Expenses' to 'Hemipenis Rape Funds.'"
Any signers?