Can not be more true ...
Your question: So why shouldn't it (education) be free here in the US as well?
Like it or not ... Agree or not ... America is a capitalist country ... We are basically all about 'money' ... Very few commodities are without monetary costs ... Most well meaning services available today expect donations, which are largely used for the needs of those that originated said orginations? If I provide you with information and show you how to use it to improve your wellbeing, why shouldn't I be monetarily compensated? ... My question would be: How can most anything in this country these days exist without cost? ...