I agree 1000%. I've made this argument numerous times here before and always get push back. By the time you reach college, you've repeated the general education requirements several times over. Not only does it hamper your ability to 'move on' and start your career, its ridiculous to assume university systems know what makes up a 'well rounded' individual. If anything, the higher education system, and its staff, couldn't be farther from well rounded. They live in superbly isolated bubbles.
There is some unique psychology at play when it comes to defending the status quo of the US college system as well, esp. from the college educated. There's almost a holy mysticism associated with higher education. Any push to change the system, is dumbing it down, and anti-intellectual. Its always been this way, we cannot change it. I suffered through 4 years and mountain high debt, so you must as well. But ... we can discuss making it free and/or cheaper, but we cannot assume any change to the system.
My guess is the systems are overly bureaucratic and corrupt - the administrators couldn't justify their compensation packages or tuition cost with smaller/less staff. The endowments would decrease. Senior roles at universities are places for executives and politicians to coast into retirement. Not very sexy when the system is neutered. Public colleges, and some private, operate large employee unions, which offer consistent kickbacks to political campaigns.
There is some unique psychology at play when it comes to defending the status quo of the US college system as well, esp. from the college educated. There's almost a holy mysticism associated with higher education. Any push to change the system, is dumbing it down, and anti-intellectual. Its always been this way, we cannot change it. I suffered through 4 years and mountain high debt, so you must as well. But ... we can discuss making it free and/or cheaper, but we cannot assume any change to the system.
My guess is the systems are overly bureaucratic and corrupt - the administrators couldn't justify their compensation packages or tuition cost with smaller/less staff. The endowments would decrease. Senior roles at universities are places for executives and politicians to coast into retirement. Not very sexy when the system is neutered. Public colleges, and some private, operate large employee unions, which offer consistent kickbacks to political campaigns.