Bill Maher says his liberal peers have it backward when it comes to higher education policy.
The host of HBO’s “Real Time” told his audience during a recent broadcast that universities and institutions of higher learning are part of a gargantuan “grift” at taxpayers’ expense.
Mr. Maher blasted liberal support for “free college” by citing skyrocketing tuition rates, inflated grades, courses on “micro-aggressions,” and perks inspired by the Playboy mansion that have nothing to do with rigorous studies.
“Is it really liberal for someone who doesn’t go to college and makes less money to pay for people who do go and make more?” the host asked. “Colleges have turned into giant luxury day-care centers with overpaid babysitters anxious to indulge every student whim. The University of Missouri has a river grotto inspired by the Playboy mansion. Texas Tech has one of the largest water parks in the country that includes a 25-person hot tub, tanning deck, water slide, and a lazy river! A third of students now spend less than five hours a week studying.”
Mr. Maher said the status quo has put the U.S. at a distinct disadvantage on the world stage.
“Why is China kicking our a—?” he continued. “Because in 2019, we issued more undergrad degrees in visual and performing arts than in computer and information science or math. Say what you will about Lori Loughlin [and the college admissions cheating scandal], at least she understood that one good scam deserves another.
“And in the immortal words of her daughter Oliva Jade, ’I do want the experience of, like, game days and partying.’ Yeah, I’m not f—ing paying for that!” continued the HBO host, who has become increasingly critical of liberal or “woke” cultural trends in the past few years.
Mr. Maher added that colleges are now de facto businesses “selling a consumer product for hundreds of thousands of dollars,” and therefore divorced in many ways from the original justification for existing.
“The system we have sets up this winner/loser dynamic and breeds resentment that working hard has less value than sitting around in [a lazy river pool],” the comedian concluded on June 4. ” That, in turn, feeds into our widening political division.”
Warning: Strong Language.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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