Education & Childcare
Democratic socialist education policy provides universal childcare, free higher education, and student debt cancellation.
Universal Pre-K (Age 0 to 5)
We provide universal childcare from birth through age five using a community-based cooperative model. This is free at point of service. Parents currently paying $15,000 to $25,000 annually for childcare pay nothing.
Childcare cooperatives employ workers at living wages with benefits. Worker ownership ensures quality care because workers are invested in outcomes. Community-based structure serves local needs.
Free Public University and Trade Schools
Public universities and trade schools are tuition-free. Education is a public good that benefits everyone. We fund it through progressive taxation of wealth and capital, not through burdening students and families with debt.
Trade schools are equally valued as universities. We need electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians as much as we need engineers and teachers. All paths are funded equally.
Student Debt Cancellation
We cancel existing student debt. Millions of workers are burdened with debt from pursuing education that society needs. This debt is predatory and extractive. We eliminate it.
Banks made profits from these loans. Banks can absorb the loss. Workers shouldn’t spend decades paying for education that benefits everyone.
Ongoing Education and Retraining
Education doesn’t end at age 22. We provide lifelong learning and retraining. As technology changes, as industries evolve, workers can access education to develop new skills. This is always free.
Why Not Student Loan “Reform”
Democratic student loan “reform” provides means-tested forgiveness with impossible requirements. After jumping through hoops for ten years, maybe some debt is forgiven. Meanwhile, banks still profit and future students still take on debt.
This preserves extraction while creating appearance of reform. We eliminate the debt completely and make future education free.
How This Is Funded
Progressive taxation of wealth and capital funds education. When workers currently paying $25,000 for childcare and $20,000 for college pay zero, they save $45,000 per year. Even with moderate tax increases, they come out far ahead.
Wealthy individuals and corporations pay more. Workers pay less. Society benefits from educated population. The math works.
Integration With Full Platform
Childcare cooperatives build worker ownership in care economy. Breaking corruption ensures education funding goes to actual education, not consultant grift. Progressive taxation funds the system without burdening workers. Universal basic services eliminate education as private cost.
This is how we create an educated society without burdening workers with debt.