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Rinny
30p21 comments posted · 1 followers · following 0
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 1 reply · +1 points
It was junior college instructors, also, who helped students learn how to think as opposed to just trying to cram as much information into our heads as possible. Of course, that was only my experience and not necessarily the case everywhere.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 0 replies · +1 points
George,
You wrote "Ever hear of the ever increasing debt that the illegals are forcing our naturalized citizens to bear? If we could get rid of that burden, then in fact we would be able to bear the cost of sending ALL legal citizens to College for free. "
As others here have commented, "illegals" are most often very hardworking. They give more than they receive, in my opinion. The cost of illegal immigrants is a drop in the bucket compared to the ridiculous, miserable war in Iraq which is costing *billions*--and what do we get in return? Our soldiers returning home with ptsd and various physical disabilities. Illegal immigrants are too often used as convenient scapegoats. A bit of basic math and economics will show that the cost of the Iraq war is greater by far--and not just in terms of money.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 0 replies · +1 points
I also heartily disagree, Mark Pittman, that "too many people makes a college dumb down". Sounds elitist to me. It's my understanding that entrance exams and/or educational requirements are meant to ensure that accepted students meet a certain level of academic aptitude or proficiency. If, hypothetically, everyone were to attend college, that might imply our educational system had done such a good job that everyone was able to meet the entrance requirements!! That would seem to be a good thing, to me--something to strive for, even.
As for home-schooling, I have personally known home-schooled students who were far better educated than their public-school educated peers, so home-schooling should not limit a student who otherwise meets the same entrance requirements.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 0 replies · +1 points
Mark Pittman, I disagree with you. Tuition for state schools should not be a tool to keep "those out who can't make the cut"--that would be tremendously unfair to poor students.
I think students willing to assume a *reasonable* financial burden should be allowed to go as far as they can take themselves in the educational system, limited only by their abilities and willingness to do the work required.
The Ted Kennedy idea of forgiving school loans to those who agree to do volunteer or service work is a great one. This way, a student can choose to pay with money or with their time after graduation.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 1 reply · +1 points
I'd like to respond to comments by several people. Yes, Matt, this might be a 2-parter (or 3 or 4) (smile).
I think some financial cost for college/university is okay. Otherwise, some students might not value their time in college, might take it for granted. After all, in this country, we do value the dollar (too much so, in my opinion, but that's another topic...). But college should not be so costly that repayment after graduation creates an undue burden or hardship.
From what I've heard, even state colleges can be unaffordable these days. This should not be. I thought the whole idea behind state schools was to provide an affordable alternative for those who cannot afford to attend a private college or university. I'd like to see federal assistance for state colleges to make them affordable yet maintain the quality of instruction.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 0 replies · +1 points
I think oursourcing U.S. jobs to other countries should be made less attractive. Companies that do so should receive tax dis-incentives proportionate to the number of jobs they oursource. Why should companies that outsource receive tax breaks???
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 1 reply · +2 points
From what I've heard recently, students today who attend college on student loans--even those who attend state schools--are loaded down with loan debts after graduation that are so huge they place quite an enormous hardship on the student. And while still in school, the students feel great pressure about the future when they will have to begin paying back the loans. I'm sure that kind of stress is not very conducive to study.
I don't know if anything can be done right away due to the state of the economy. But once we've begun to turn things around, hopefully in a few years (am I being overly optimistic??), I hope something can be worked out so that, as in years gone by, state schools can once again be affordable without placing undue stress and hardship on our students. Perhaps with some federal assistance. Our young people are our future, and anyone who wants to continue school beyond high school should be able to do so without being grievously hamstrung financially after graduation.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Keeping college afford... · 1 reply · +3 points
I don't know about free, Matt. I wonder if college would be valued less, taken more for granted, if it were *completely* free.
I do think state colleges and universities, which from what I've heard are very, very costly these days, should be as affordable as they were when I attended 40 years ago.
When I went to college--*many* years ago, lol--I went on some kind of federal studen loan which paid for most of the cost, though not all. I can't remember the name of the program, sorry. I worked summers to make up the difference and to earn money for clothes, etc.
I don't recall that the loan was very difficult to get, but the thing that really sets it apart from today is that I was able to pay it back without undue hardship.
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15 years ago @ Change.gov - Happy Holidays! | Chan... · 0 replies · +1 points
For me, there are so many issues on which I agree with President-elect Obama that who says the prayer is not going alter my support of him.
But.....he is a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose, he is opposed to torture, he has pledged to end the war in Iraq, he supports people over profits, he is not out to line his pockets or the pockets of rich friends & big business, he considers global warming a critical issue, he recognizes the importance of diplomacy, of treating other countries, cultures, with respect, he has said Guantanamo should be closed.....Compared to all that, who says the prayer at the inauguration just doesn't, for me, measure up as something major.
15 years ago @ Change.gov - Happy Holidays! | Chan... · 0 replies · +1 points
CoolGayDaddy,
I understand how important gay issues are for you, believe me; I'm a lesbian myself. I might be wrong, but I think I've seen numerous posts by you on this Rick Warren topic. But Rick Warren is just giving a prayer, correct?
In my opinion, Rick Warren's giving a prayer doesn't deserve so much of our energy. There are so many critical issues that need our energy--including other lgbt issues.
Just my opinion, of course. It just seems like you're beating a proverbial dead horse on this one.
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Opus