After a year of looking at and researching colleges, traveling from Washington, D.C. to Boston, and spending seemingly endless hours filling out applications, I finally decided where I wanted to attend school for the next four years. But, as for many other students my age, the cost is the greatest factor when making such a significant decision.
This process is overwhelmingly stressful to so many students and usually takes a lot of time. Beginning with taking SATs and/or ACTs (around six hours each), the college search is something you certainly cannot do quickly. It takes hours upon hours, days upon days, and it is no small task. The anxiety is only compounded by concerns about whether or not you can afford to attend the school where you would like to go.
In the last fifty years, the cost of paying for college has sky-rocketed to a point where students, including myself, will pay at least four times more for tuition than their parents did.
Some politicians, however, seem to think little of the burden being put onto today's graduates. Former Pennsylvania senator, and then-presidential hopeful, Rick Santorum called President Obama a snob for his statement that everyone should go be able to college. Here were are, just four months later, and he has endorsed and now supports a man who not only went to college at Brigham Young University, but also has earned a Bachelors Degree from Harvard Law School (like Obama) and an MBA and JD from Harvard University. So, needless to say, that is a little hypocritical.
Now, I am, like our President, in no way saying that everyone must attend a four-year college because it is obviously not for everyone.
In his 2012 State of the Union speech, on January 24, President Obama shared one woman’s personal story in dealing with the cost of education while the demand for at least a moderate salary: “Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie’s tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.”
This is exactly what we need to do with our education system in the United States. Granted, not everyone chooses to be a mechanic, but this same plan could apply to other fields of employment as well. Find local companies and offices, connect them with colleges and schools so that professors are educating students about what really goes on and how to do it, and then watch the businesses, economy and, most importantly, our education system grow. Not only would this work right off the bat, but it could be copied by other districts and states, and maybe even other counties.
In less than a month, on July 1st, the interest rate on stafford Loans is set to double to 6.8%, after the decrease in subsidies in the Budget Control Act of 2011. Student loan debt as already reached over $1 trillion (and that was three months ago), and the average student loan debt on graduation is over $25,000.
Politicians would like you to think they know what is best for the education system in America. If they really did, then they all would realize how beneficial it is to keep interest rates on college loans as low as possible. If we don't, then it can (and will) only get worse. Not only for the economy, but also for the future generations of our country.
I know this is far out there and very FDR big dealish, but I think if the government wants to get involved in things like this, they should find JOBS for the people on the dole (i.e. caring for working mother's children, fixing the roads, picking up garbage, etc.). If they did that, there'd be a lot less people looking for federal money. Watch them find jobs then! Although a registered Republican, I did vote for Obama. I gave him a chance and look what happened.
I enjoy work and don't really care how long I have to work to make a good living. In fact, I think I'd rather work (I'm self employed) than go on vacation. It's good to enjoy something you "need" to do.
Cost of day care is a huge issue, if approved volunteers on unemployment could help out working parents while they are collecting unemployment, that would be a win-win. Of course it never could be that simple, that's the problem...liability and all.
You say" Sounds to me like you are one of those partisan folks that feels every one needs to walk around with a campaign button pinned on their shirt, and pick a side. That is exactly the problem in this country, both locally, and nationally." Agree completely. Too many people on this site--that are not about solutions, but in defending their side. The same people who were upset with Bush for using executive privilege (me included on 2 of the 6 times) are now calling Obama's help of Holder no problem and a result of Republican 'politics.' Nope --not politics. When you lie to congress ( as Holder even admits) you suffer consequences. The pursuit of Roger Clemens lying to Congress was a waste of money. I dont care if Roger Clemens lied--it doesnt really matter. But both parties got involved in that endeavor. When the Attorney General of the US lies-- now they laugh it off as politics? give me a break--- This country needs to look for solutions....and defending wrong programs or wrong actions because its 'your guy" will only serve to ruin us. Its interesting on this thread when you explain that social security is way different than medicare with respect to 'entitlements' we get the common " you are rush limbaugh" When we get the ' NCLB hasnt worked" we get the bush defender. Why not just debate facts? Obama got into harvard because he is black. Bush got in because of his heritage. Is it that tough to admit either? Not for me.
I read both of Obama's books. Have you? In those books, Obama essentially said he was the beneficiary (the rightful benefciary I may add) of a system that gave african americans an easier time getting into college. (obama by the way has 2 lenses--- the one of race, and the one where government can solve all problems--despite his difficulties as a community organizer working with government and complaining constantly about process and buerocracy--- its a strange conviction to see the ineptitude of government , yet think its the answer). In any event, you ask about Bush getting in Harvard B-school. I dont know true american. being the grandson of a US Senator helps I guess. But Bush was also an average student. Neither had handicaps --both had advantages that I didnt have. Im not bitter--in fact I understand both reasons. But to say that Obama got into Harvard despite handicaps , couldnt be further from the truth. He got into Harvard because of his "handicaps" That is the TRUTH.
Transcripts have never been released. Do you have a secret source/ http://nationalinterest.org/blog/jacob-heilbrunn/obama-hiding-his-college-transcripts-6972
Obamacare upheld. Obama the President, has, now set many precedents not to enforce laws enacted by Congress. Should Romney be voted in as President , I wonder if the left will argue that Romney is wrong for not enforcing the laws of the land. This is the problem with allowing Obama to upset the balance of power that has been a pillar in our society. It will be wrong for Romney not to enforce law....just as it is currently wrong for Obama not to enforce law.
Of course not, babble on mr. know-it-all.
Thanks. It was a B- average.
not able to answer a question as usual? I asked very simply--did you read either of obama's books. I did-- once you answer that--i will post his grades. incapable of honesty? I think we establshed that, and that is why you changed your name after pretending to serve our country. But answer my question...and we can proceed.
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/new-disability-regs-limit-slope-mini-golf-holes-require-businesses-admit-mini-horses
Why do liberals always go to the default position of--those with hardships should be provided for --full stop....and if you dont support this position, you are greedy, and uncaring. Why dont we do this--- separate the country into registered democrats and registered republicans. If you want to pay for millions of dollars of healthcare treatment for someone with a very limited prognosis-- raise only democrats taxes--and feel truly good about yourself - and how you actually contribute to society. The problem with democrats are that a majority of them dont pay any taxes at all (thats right a majority) but they are more than happy to tell other people to pay for other people. It would be interesting to see the new policy and the invective if democrats were the only ones asked to pay for the thing they find so necessary and good. Im betting---that the proposals might then go in another direction. The problem with our democracy, is that once you get the party who doesnt pay taxes in power--they start spending an awful lot of money.....
Both Democrats and Republicans advocate for rights for people with disabilities, that includes access to things. It is NOT a political issue. I won't even respond to your idea that a majority of Democrats don't pay taxes because that just might be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Seriously, I would have an easier time having a sensible discussion with a dining room table.