Sheriffs are paid more than teachers not due to danger levels, but because, for the wealthy who run America, sheriffs are essential enforcers of capitalist property and the capitalist status quo. Higher wages help maintain the loyalty of these thugs.

It is a simple question of the priorities of the capitalists under the growing police state. Prisons are being built, not universities.

U.S. backed dictator Samoza once said of education for the people of Nicaragua that he did not see education as necessary because he did not need educated mules.

Of course in a more developed country like the United States the capitalists do need educated workers, yet actually investing in educating Americans becomes a very low priority when the American capitalists can often get cheaper educated workers from other countries around the world.

In addition, as the Democrats and Republicans gut the public educational system they know that those who can afford it will more and more pay for private education for their kids. Thus they are forcing private profit into a realm that should be publicly guaranteed.