As an individual, my decision then is: do I want to choose a place that sets me up for a high paying job and with connections I can rely on for life, and does not take my money for it, while also not having any downsides (that I can see) compared to a state university? Choosing a school for these reasons seems like the most rational choice anyone could make in that scenario.
Please correct me if I am misunderstanding your argument.
But ivy league schools don't present themselves as just a networking opportunity. They present themselves as a way to get a much higher quality education than other universities (and this is why you should hire their alumni).
It would be more honest to present themselves as a marginally better education experience, and also a place where powerful people send their children, thus allowing better networking.
As a society, it doesn't make sense to put that much weight behind the ivy stamp on your resume, if the education is the same as a flagship state school.
As the saying goes, "It ain't the grades you make, but the hands you shake."