I certainly won't defend the cost of a college degree in the United States, but that's not my point. I object to this being called "free" since the cost is merely transferred from the individual getting the education to that country's taxpayers.

If I were a German taxpayer, I'd likely be fine with helping support such a system....if used by my fellow Germans (longtime residents or new immigrants). Subsidizing foreigners who will likely leave the country after graduation? Not so much. It strikes me as rather parasitic.