If I were in your position, here is what I would do:
1) Find your dream job. Search job postings non-stop for a while. Figure out what which career you would enjoy the most.
2) Study the minimum and desired qualifications for each job.
3) Obtain the minimum and desired qualifications for each job. (Put an emphasis on written and oral communication skills)
4) Study the interview process (specific to your field of choice) and make friends/family give you mock interviews.
5) Apply for jobs. Remember to be optimistic and respectful. Don't appear desperate. Customize your resume for each application and write a custom cover letter for each application submission. Do not lie on your resume or you will be embarrassed during the interview.

Is a degree worth the time, effort, and money? If all of the job postings for your dream job require a degree, then absolutely. If not, then I think you know the answer.

Remember to take the initiative to acquire new skills and master them.
Good luck!

"I'm tired of people saying "I like 'X cannidate's' message! It inspires me!"

Not to goodwin this, but Hitler inspired people too and we really need to be pragmatic about the next leader. If not Paul, then someone else who at best is nothing more than good technocrat and not an ideologist who's going to drag us down even further."

The problem is that people are not going to vote for a pessimistic, or even a non-optimistic candidate. Would you? Really? If someone says "Look everyone, we are screwed and I will try to lessen the impact" and an opponent says "I will do everything I can to improve this (specific) situation by x, y, and z" who are you going to vote for? It seems like most people will choose the optimistic candidate even though they may not be as pragmatic. If not, wouldn't the candidates be more pragmatic?