I'd say this notion of a "Knowledge Economy" is a subversive elitist campaign translated to mean, "The American Dream now comes with an IQ Test, administered by us. Do you have your application fee?"
Seriously, what is a "Knowledge Economy" anyway? Is it a good? A service? Selling selling? Is that sustainable? A line of bull? Will it power my car? Or maybe, just maybe, it is a blindly accepted, conveniently framed, stylishly dressed-up indoctrination vehicle serving as an ironclad verdict, wholly justifying that the gates of academia and the gates of professional success must remain united to fortify and protect 'the Knowledgeable' and their valuable brains from outside, um, stuff.
Flatly, is it an excuse to exclude those who can't afford to go to college (or don't want to) from any hope of stability, prosperity or realization of their dreams? If so, what are we to do with those who, according to the logic that flows from the Knowledge Economy's foundational assumptions, are 'too dumb' (or more likely, 'too broke') to participate? I just don't know. It hurts me widdle bwain!