But also recognize that this 'knee jerk' reaction wasn't restricted to one side or the other. I saw, read, heard plenty of arguments from people on both sides that were trying to capitalize on what was going on or ignoring actual data, statistics, facts, knowledge, etc while pushing forward political agendas.
As with most things that are politically incendiary, knee-jerk reactions don't just belong to one political party/side or the other.
First you have to break the entitlement mentality to motivate someone to want an education. Its a lot harder then what you say. Why work or go to school when the feds will cut you a check for rent and food and you can hustle all day.
There was a study released recently that outlined that 91% of entitlements go to: (a) the elderly, (b) the "severely disabled", and (c) working, able-bodied heads of household.