[ChrisMarshallNY]

I have an Irish friend that got a Ph.D, while on the dole.

That would never happen, in the US. We have a strong “Why do they get special treatment?” thing going on.

[mikeocool]

I think I get your point, but few PhD candidates pay tuition in the US and most actually receive a living stipend. In exchange they act as teaching and/or research assistants.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

That would be perceived differently.

I guess we know that Ph.D Research/Teaching Assistants tend to be worked to death, and paid peanuts.

The whiners would be OK with that.