Friday, December 24, 2004
The Ownership Society
I really wish I could find some good news to report this holiday season, but with Georgie & Co. in charge it's hard if not down right impossible. As part of the Radical Republicans' "Ownership Society" plan the New York Times reports,
Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is really anxiety and the realization that it will be a long, long time before they actually own anything. Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is just the effect of working twelve hour shifts at Wal-mart, with four of those hours "off the clock." Or maybe it comes from figuring out how you're going to send you kid to college, eat, pay rent, etc. on $15,000 a year. Or maybe it's just all that eggnog you've been drinking this holiday season. Happy Festivus.
I really wish I could find some good news to report this holiday season, but with Georgie & Co. in charge it's hard if not down right impossible. As part of the Radical Republicans' "Ownership Society" plan the New York Times reports,
College students in virtually every state will be required to shoulder more of the cost of their education under new federal rules that govern most of the nation's financial aid.I vaguely remember Georgie mouthing some lie or another about how he increased Pell Grants during his residency and how he would continue to support access to education for low-income people. I also vaguely remember Big Daddy Cheney pounding on the table at some debate or something about how the "solution" to unemployment and poverty was to be found by improving access to education.
Because of the changes, which take effect next fall and are expected to save the government $300 million in the 2005-6 academic year, at least 1.3 million students will receive smaller Pell Grants, the nation's primary scholarship for those of low income, according to two analyses of the new rules.
In addition, 89,000 students or so who would otherwise be getting some Pell Grant money will get none, the analyses found.
this year the administration found support from Congressional leaders seeking to constrain the cost of Pell Grants, an expense that has steadily increased as more low-income students go to college [. . .]. Parents who earn at least $15,000 will be negatively affected in every state except New Jersey and Connecticut.I guess our "steadfast" leaders had a change of heart. But at least college graduates get to enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with "owning" something. I mean if you really work for something and pay your own money for it you really own it and really appreciate it. I mean there must be some study out there that shows students working two or even three jobs get better grades and make more money once they graduate. If not, maybe Rove's friends down on K Street can whip one up real quick once they finish with those Social Security is broke reports they're working on.
Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is really anxiety and the realization that it will be a long, long time before they actually own anything. Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is just the effect of working twelve hour shifts at Wal-mart, with four of those hours "off the clock." Or maybe it comes from figuring out how you're going to send you kid to college, eat, pay rent, etc. on $15,000 a year. Or maybe it's just all that eggnog you've been drinking this holiday season. Happy Festivus.