I emigrated from the US after attending state university in the US. My parents were “lucky.” In the 80s, state universities were still somewhat affordable and due to other circumstances we all left college debt-free. That meant when I had a chance to emigrate to another country and start a business, I didn’t have to think how could I take a chance when each month I’ve got hundreds or thousands of dollars to pay for my student loan.

I pay more in public taxes here in Austria than I would have making the same money in the US. My private taxes are virtually zero. Our families healthcare is covered. My wife was able to go to university while working part-time, and our son even started university before she finished, without any thoughts of how we would pay for tuition at two universities.

Free public early education is one of the reasons the US came to lead the world on innovation. That we stopped advancing that public education, while other countries did not is the reason we’re losing our lead.

Bernie’s plan (among his many other excellent plans) would be a huge boon to the US.