Final answer:
The "free" college course offered to college seniors is not free to society, as it is funded by taxes or other resources. The debate around tuition-free college in the United States involves considerations of costs, societal benefits, and differences from other countries where it is implemented. Individuals can contribute to the affordable education drive by staying informed and advocating for policy changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The course offered as "free" to college seniors is not free to society in the absolute sense. On the surface, it appears to be a generous offering to students; however, there are underlying costs that society bears. Whether it's through taxes, reallocation of funds, or opportunity costs, these resources are not infinite and could have been utilized in other areas of the economy. The true cost of an education thus consists of all the resource expenses that go into providing that education, including teacher salaries, infrastructure, and materials, even if the student is not directly paying any tuition.
In countries where college education is provided at no cost to students, such as Finland, the expenses are covered by the government and consequently by taxpayers. While this presents a model of equal opportunity where skills and talents are nurtured without financial barriers, the practicality of implementing a similar system in the United States is hotly debated. Factors include the difference in population size, economic structure, cultural values, and political inclinations.
To get involved in the drive for affordable college education, one can educate themselves on the benefits and drawbacks of such systems, advocate for policy changes, and participate in discourse that shapes public opinion towards the idea that investment in education could yield long-term social and economic benefits.