Lots of things that was originally supposed to be temporary end up being perpetual. You can throw in the "temporary" extension of unemployment benefits or "temporary" cut in the payroll tax. In my view the difference is public opinion toward taxes change over time and rates change as a result. Keep in mind Clinton was able to create a brand new higher tax bracket for "the rich" less than 20 years ago. "Think of the children!" on the other hand seems to always maintain influence. Before you say it, I know Clinton "reformed" welfare as well, but really how is that working out?

So..... What's the point of the degree?

Employers use the fact that you have a degree to assume that you will strive for higher education and continue to learn, which benefits them...

I think it's more about being able to commit to something and finish it...

Or...

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it. Now, turn off the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted. Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again, replace a third original monkey with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four monkeys that beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys, all the monkeys that have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been around here!
And that is how many corporate policies start...

The value of the degree depends partly on where it's from. When I said a Greek History major might get a good job, I meant only certain kinds of positions like a sales or advertising executive, where your people skills & popularity matter more than whether you know how the business world works. And you have to have gone to a really good school that those companies recruit from. Some companies only recruit from a handful of schools. They figure that even if you don't know how to calculate profit or market share, you're smart enough to learn it quickly. At least that's what I've seen.

If you are getting your undergrad in Greek history...chances are it is just the first degree you are getting on your way to a Phd. and you have big plans on contributing to the wealth of research out there.

If someone is majoring in something like that "just because" then chances are no matter what they major in they will be working in starbucks.

If there's just an average student, yes

But if they went to a top school, have a stellar personality, leadership experience, good with people, and are up to speed on pop culture, there are plenty of advertising agencies that will hire them.

Sales positions too.

You don't need a business degree to get into business, unless you're talking about a Finance or Accounting position.

Personally I would rather hire a Greek Philosophy major who busted his ass and was really really enthusiastic about it, rather than someone whose sole reason for majoring in Business was because of job possibilities and because it's a relatively easy major.

You're talking about the 1-in-1000 top student. For that exceptional population, it doesn't matter much what they get a degree in. They already have the tools needed to succeed. They're also depressingly rare when interviewing candidates.