Northeastern University economists Paul E. Harrington and Andrew M. Sum argue that a recent report, "Help Wanted", "radically overstates the size of the college labor market." This overcount, they claim, has nothing to do with the recession. "Even in times of near full employment," Harrington and Sum argue that…

"College for all" arises from deep in our individualistic cultural bias, and the motto works as a public narrative because high school vocational alternatives are widely regarded as second best by the general public, if not by the elites. However, there is more to "college for all" than cultural bias, political positioning, and middle-class angst.…

Argues that, although the U.S. has dropped to sixth in the world in high school graduation rates and ranks last when comparing gains in enrolling youth in college during the last decade, the country still wins on economic measures. Adds that, because of sheer size, the U.S. also has more top students. (Contains 10 references.) (NB)