Naturally, we can debate the hidden costs of "free" education in high taxes and debt... not to mention the fact that college -- while certainly economical -- isn't guaranteed for all in England. Regardless, I still think the Brits got the basic idea right.
Education should be free.
Sure, they have to eat it on the front end so their students can study by day and haze freshmen at night, but that's still better than eating it on the back end in poverty, crime, and other side effects that can stem from limited education and, accordingly, limited opportunities.
Yes, I am aware that England is not immune to poverty and crime. However, I'm also aware that the answer to those "troubles" (as they call them) is not to deny even more students access to education.
Here in the States, we are accustomed to think of college as a privilege. Ironically, as I write this I also have a Facebook screen open where I'm trying to convince my niece she's "qualified" to earn a bachelor's degree when she graduates from high school next year.
The problem is, she doesn't think so and -- oh yea -- she has no idea how to pay for it.
I don't proclaim to know how every English student feels about college, but I do know the ones I've met never viewed it this way. So when I see news reports about 50,000 students and supporters protesting the tuition hike from £3,000 to £9,000 per year, I can see why they're angry -- especially when they're not accustomed to paying for university at all.