Contrary to popular opinion Henry is not a 'power' back and imo would not be effective running behind the line as currently constructed
He needs a couple uninterrupted steps to get momentum.
OP is employed in the public school system. The kind of service that these programs incentivize is something we should be supporting, not making folks feel badly about. How is this materially different from the GI bill or subsequent iterations
I am neither a plumber nor a welder but I am fairly certain you don't make $100k/yr at either without significant apprenticeships, coursework, accreditations etc.
You can't raise them believing it and then not expect them to try.
You also can't pretend that 'trades' aren't code spoken by people who don't understand manual labor.
'We need more welders and HVAC techs' is a rhetorical device, it's not meaningful.
Folks express themselves differently. I'd say the poison is equally from the people who think dictating what constitutes 'support through good and bad' is some show of moral or emotional superiority.