4-year research universities utterly fail their undergraduate students. Because the professors are hired based on their research ability, it is very hit or miss whether they often don't bring much teaching ability to the classroom. Because their tenure is based on their work in the lab, they often bring a less than appropriate enthusiasm to teaching. The end effect is that the students get a worse education than they ought.

The lack of competition in undergraduate education has enabled universities to be insulated from doing actual teaching. Adding a little competition to the mix would be a VERY good thing. Maybe the students would actually get their needs met.

I have no problem with public support for research. Good research makes a strong contribution to society. However, if we believe that research is a public good that should be supported, we should support research without letting it suck the blood of education like a leach.