College...A Privilege, or a Guarantee
Elections are by very nature the process in which we place officials in office and consent to be governed. Of course when choosing those officials we look to what is most important to us; How that concern will be addressed and be solved to provide the most beneficial results. Being a 19 year old college student, the biggest issue for me is being able to have a cheap and affordable college education. But the question is Should college affordability be an issue in the elections? Should the government be responsible for rising costs of the collegiate education? And is college to remain a luxury only once ( and still??) reserved for the wealthy…or should we progress towards a future where college education becomes a norm for all Americans and not just a select few. Although a college education has become more available to many, and attendance has never been higher ( up some 30% since the 70’s), I still some how believe that going into massive debt, is not a highlight for higher education. Actually the leading reason students do not attend college, is not because of inability for acceptance but the lack of funds, and with the rising cost of college many more will be forced to detour.
Now look towards politics and what the government can do …forget about any policy chance and fiscal reform for education from the current president, In the remaining months he will merely enjoy his time at Camp David and hunt for duck. The issue of affordable education is not selective to any one party, and both parties have very elaborate and very appealing policies for change. Both Regan and Clinton reformed many collegiate institutions and took steps toward a brighter future in higher education, and although the current Bush‘s “No Child Left Behind” Policy has been very effective for some…the policy shutters to address the teens and young adults of America. This is no longer a nation or a world of industrialization, We are no longer in the 1880’s . Technology is the forefront and a high school education will no longer cut it, higher education will not longer be exclusive to and important for those in Medicine, Education, and Law but even jobs that may traditionally be labor jobs, are becoming more and more demanding of its employees. Many retail chains require college educations, and many standard white collar jobs are turning blue. Even camp counselors are now required to have BA’s in Recreational Entertainment. Although these may seem like extremes, the reality is today is the future, that we talked about 20 years ago., and the future ahead is that which can only be imagined.
The Candidates:
John McCain- “American education must be worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves-The freedom and opportunity to chase our dreams”, A noteworthy statement, and Although John McCain has spoken very little about Education reform or even parent-student relationship reform, John McCain’s general policies on education reflect those of very typical conservatives and the mid-right. Parents are the students way to education reform, through choice. But how college occurs at a transitional point in one’s life so ..at this point how is our education up to our parents? What if our parents cant decide on a choice because of fiscal limitations? Although John McCain has spoken little on education reform, The Republican Party Convention will reveal many more details on policy that will hopefully be more beneficial to the future of college affordability.
John McCain is also the lowest in polls among college students…About 19% college students identify themselves as Republicans ( Mostly coming from Wealthy families and those of religious backgrounds).
Barrack Obama- The forefront on College policy reform and clearly the leader in the collegiate vote, among all candidates ( about 65%). Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton share many of the same hopeful policies on college affordability.
Here are his policies directly from his website on Higher Education
Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
Very noble and in my mind very achievable goals. Barrack Obama is clearly looking for change and in traditional party stance, keeping education very important and a standing platform for candidates. For Democrats Progression is the wave of the future.
Hillary Clinton- Hillary arguably the most experienced candidate in Education, her and Mr. Clinton have more education than both of the other candidates combined, and to that she fully understands the issue and the need for college access reform. Here are a few of her policies on College Access
In the 21st century, a college education is more important than ever. Hillary believes it's time for a new bargain with the American people -- a bargain that gives all Americans willing to work hard the tools they need to get ahead. Her plan will make college more affordable and accessible so that every American who has earned it and wants to go has the chance to get a college degree. As president, she will:
Create a new $3,500 college tax credit.
Increase the maximum Pell Grant.
Strengthen community colleges through a $500 million investment.
Create a graduation fund to increase college graduation rates.
Increase to $10,000 the college scholarship for those who participate in AmeriCorps full-time for one year.
Get rid of the red tape in financial aid.
Hold college costs down and hold colleges accountable for results though an online college cost calculator, a college graduation and employment rate index, and truth in tuition disclosure.
Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities.
Similar in many ways to Barrack Obama, Hillary Clinton has taken a strong position on college reform. Hillary however takes an incredibly socialistic view on education and is slightly more “left” then her democratic opponent.
All though there are several other potential candidates for presidency, these 3 present the most forefront in the polls and their stance on College access is the most possible outcomes for the elections in 2008. So this fall when you cast your ballot, make sure that you vote for the candidate that you most feel passionate for, and if you a college student ,GO OUT AND VOTE and make your voice heard, every vote counts, and choosing the right candidate for you, means that your issues can be resolved.
College access and affordability is incredibly important to the future of this countries workforce, lets look to the future, and if your not a college student, put your self in the shoes of one, and vote on that. Only that vote will ignite college cost reform, to better and more widely educate the FUTURE OF AMERICA.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/education/
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/#higher-education
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/education/
http://johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ce50b5-daa8-4795-b92d-92bd0d985...
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