As you point out very well, this is a middle-class subsidy. And you also point out it is in the national interest that the middle-class be trained to be the technicians every advanced nation needs.

These people will not come from anywhere other than the middle class, which cannot as a rule afford to pay for their education. The nation purchases tanks, missiles, ships, and rockets from companies because it perceives a need for these items. There is no reason it should not pay for the education of its' citizens as it perceives a need for these trained people.

Every cut in social programs is permanent. Things will never get better as globalization proceeds, and other countries become more technically proficient, mostly by educating their citizenry. For all his faults, Ghadafi provided as much education for Libyans as they wanted, the state paying for it all.

If the US is serious about cutting back spending, it could cut the military budget in half without degrading the security of our country. When that happens I'll believe Conservatives are serious about saving money.