US needs to train STEM candidates, or else newly generated jobs will keep getting sent to China and India where the quality of candidates if getting better by the day.

I say this as an Indian in the US pursuing CS. There is a demand for CS candidates. If the US won't match that with supply, then some other country will.

Actually, it did!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation#Literacy

Literacy was a major factor in the reformation, and the subsequent decline in the status of clergy. Look even further, and it becomes a crucial factor in modern atheism and the further deterioration of clergy of all denomination.

> Or unlocking a massive engine of productivity to raise standard of living across the economy.

Sounds great! Just remember the rules of supply and demand. As the supply of programmers increases, since demand won't change (at least not immediately), their price will decline.

That means programmers like you will have to settle for a fraction of their current compensation.

Couple that with tech employers' known fondness for employing the young, and you'll lucky to have a job at all.