The National Journal says it is “little more than a pipe dream,” which is a good thing. Today, the president will propose that community college tuition be free to all, although as the Journal points out, “There is one big caveat in the proposal — there is no plan to fund it, other than to ask Congress for the money.”

President Obama is making the announcement in Tennessee, a state that has started a free-tuition program. (He has to move quickly before the state plan turns out to be a costly disaster.)

Interestingly, if this ever did take hold, it would be a boon to the middle class. Low-income students can already get Pell grants, which usually cover the cost of community college tuition, and living expenses as well in many cases.

As my colleague George Leef said, “Free cell phones, free food (stamps), free community college. How about free golf next?”