The main reason it’s ridiculous is because you’re saying it on others’ cheshbon.
Once they ask me for money (which they did), it becomes my Cheshbon.
The other reason it’s ridiculous is because regardless of misplaced idealism, the reality is that someone can learn better without financial strain. No one without an agenda would fail to realize this, and no matter how well I explain (and there are certainly many far more eloquent than I), I won’t convince someone who doesn’t want to be convinced.
Are you saying that Chazal (whom I was quoting) are “misplaced idealists” and “have an agenda”? You’re even more of a Kofer than I am 🙂