What exactly are you doubting?  That alternative methods are expensive?  That they work?  That they are the first things on the chopping block?  That there is systematic discrimination against poor and minority students?  

You really didn't dispute very much of my post, at least not specifically.  The only thing I can really respond to is the notion of "social engineering."  What is so wrong with that?  We certainly won't be able to stop it from happening.  Advertising agencies and other media are happy to do it; you'll have a hard time convincing me that nobody who is accountable to the people as a whole should be doing it.