It's Those Darn "Dems"....AGAIN

Last week, the House of Representatives approved a plan that will INCREASE federal higher-education funding. This measure moves onto debate in the Senate.

I found this on the OP-ED page and without going into ALL the details, I am giving the "long-story-short" version of it, as I feel this needs some scrutiny.

Labeled the COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007 (impressive title, no?) cuts the interest rate on subsidized student loans IN HALF over five years, effectively shifting the balance of the cost from the students to (...are you ready?)...the GENERAL PUBLIC!This will cost taxpayers (that would be you and I) nearly SIX BILLION DOLLARS, according to the CBO.

The legislation won't REALLY CUT student loan interest rates; it WILL cut the portion paid by GRADUATES (incentive to finish school at last).

Now I'm ALL for higher education, and I know it's gonna cost something, because NOTHING in this world costs...well, nothing (except annoyances...we DO seem to get THEM for free). It was cited that college grads earn a lifetime average of $1 million more than people without college degrees (love to get THAT "paid forward", eh?). Critics of this measure counter that the "plan" won't really expand ACCESS to college. An Arizona Republican rep stated that "It is unclear whether the burden on the taxpayers would help make college MORE AFFORDABLE". Well, now...there's person that seems to be looking out for me (and my branch of the "HIP-NATIONAL Bank").

College costs have rapidly out-paced inflation...that's a given. And there appears to be no relief in sight to repair that problem. Private college costs have risen 52% since the 91-92 academic year; public college costs have increased by 86% in the same time span. Since 2001, direct student aid has ballooned from $9.6 billion to a whopping $48 billion, with the number of students receiving such aid jumping by a third. And if the $6 billion cost estimate is correct (for this interest rate cut), it will eventually cost TWO THIRDS AS MUCH as all DIRECT federal student aid a mere SIX YEARS AGO.

So, this democrat-proposed "College Student Relief Act" is in reality the "College GRADUATE Relief Act", because we all know that college students don't start paying BACK the loans until at least 6 months AFTER graduation.

Maybe the legislators should look LONG and HARD at the reasons WHY college costs are spiraling upward...out of control. This would appear to be a much better method of progress than just expanding entitlements that will invariably lead to higher tuition costs.

Gee..it's good to know that the Democrats still think bigger is better (as in larger taxes, more taxes, and new taxes)...some things just NEVER change.

Nancy, put down the Kool-Aid, and start thinking with your brain, instead of your glands, OK?

(From original article by Leslie Carbone-adjunct scholar/Lexington Institute)