At a time when going to college has never been more important, it's never been more expensive, and our nation's families haven't been in this kind of financial duress since the great depression. And so what we have is just sort of a miraculous opportunity simply by stopping the subsidy to banks when we already have the risk of loans. We can plow those savings into our students. And we can make college dramatically more affordable, tens of billions of dollars over the next decade.
quote by Arnie Duncan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The College Access and Opportunity Act addresses the important need to make higher education more affordable and easier to access for low and middle-income students.
Crippled by Knowledge
The wayward way of thinking has always been: “Son, I want you to go to college, graduate with a degree so you will have the education to secure a well-paying job. You know back in my day, I was able to go to college, so I want to make sure you have every opportunity to! ”
The inevitable downfall: The rise in college tuition, along with the decrease in federal aid for working middle class families’, students and their parents are placed under enormous pressure in paying back mass amounts of student loan debt.
The vicious cycles remains: Parents could not afford college for themselves ' Parents want better for their kids ' Parents struggle daily and sacrifice their home, their livelihood to ensure their child will have the opportunity at a college education ' Casting a dark cloud over the excitement of their child’s graduation - Four years in a state school and one bachelors degree later ' Parents are faced with a $500 a month student loan payment ' Their son will begin paying on his portion of the loan next month.
The pleasures in being a working middle class family in today’s society. Parents who in the course of hard work and determination established careers with little to no higher education, providing and making the ends meet. Nevertheless, no tuition grants or federal aid for their hopeful first generation college student. “Son, we make too much money for you to qualify for grants. I know who would think a daily struggle is equivalent to making too much money. It is simply loans for us, and I'm not sure we can afford the $568 a month payment. I guess we will manage like we always have. I sure didn't foresee this worry and grief when I just wanted better for you.'
His son, an elementary school teacher in a low-socioeconomic urban school district has hopes that each and every child in his classroom will have the opportunity to pursue higher education. Thoughts of his monthly struggle on a state teacher’s salary to make ends meet and pay back his student loans, escape him every time he walks into the classroom full of young minds craving to learn.
The children we raise and educate today are the minds that will drive our society into the 21-century. Must you realize you are sacrificing the well-being our nation and placing the future of our society in jeopardy to only have history repeat itself. Senators, congressmen, lawyers and lobbyists almost certainly would not have had the opportunity to be where they are now without the support and devotion of their underpaid and overworked school teachers. Everyday leaders such as school teachers and their hard working families do not deserve the crippling burden of outrageous monthly student loan payments when the end goal is to simply further their education in order to influence and guide the society that will lead our nation’s future.
If educators take a primary role in being the driving force behind a society of accountable well-informed people; I can only help to wonder if serving in our nation’s military can pay back student loans, why can’t serving in our nation’s classrooms pay back student loans.
© 2010 April Michelle
poem by April Michelle
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Pell Grants
The USA has fallen behind in college graduates in many areas especially the sciences and technology. We need more kids with ability graduating from college and getting master degrees etc. Pell grants allow a young or older person who cannot afford a college education to get one. People pay the loans off by the percentage of wage they make at the time. This democratic benefit to the middle and lower classes would be dropped by Romney/Ryan and the republicans if they are elected.
The implication of this would be college is for the wealthy and the extremely gifted with scholarships or in sports. Is this fair? Is it right for a young person with an IQ of a hundred with rich parents to go to college and another child with an IQ of a 120 with parents that can't afford 20,000 dollars a semester not go? Is this the America that you want? I am not voting for people only but justice, equality and a real America with real opportunity for all not just the rich.
poem by Joseph Narusiewicz
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Community colleges are one of America's great social inventions a gateway to the future for first time students looking for an affordable college education, and for mid-career students looking to get ahead in the workplace.
quote by Barbara Mikulski
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These ivy league students are in the upper echelon of the college boards and had great opportunity in front of them regardless of where they go to college. Its in their very nature and it is something they expect.
quote by Michael N. Castle
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I am here to give the American people some straight talk about higher education. Some have said we might have cut financial aid for college students. The truth is we have expanded access to college for our neediest students through the record growth of the Pell grant program.
quote by Ric Keller
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The Pell Grant is more than a financial aid program for college students in need. It is the right thing to do for America's college students, and it is the right thing to do for America's economy.
quote by Norm Coleman
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They were often the first students in their family to go to college and the very idea of higher education was still foreign to them. They had to make a conscious and often difficult decision to come to college.
quote by Michael N. Castle
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To compete in a global economy, our students must continue their education beyond high school. To make this expectation a reality, we must give students the tools they need to succeed, including the opportunity to take a college entrance exam.
quote by Jennifer Granholm
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Credit crunch!
I hear no sound of joy or laughter
As the markets crash like thunder
Take a look at the whole financial bunch
Many made money on just a keypunch
Banks which once stood brave
Are now begging to be saved
With Governments pumping billions into banks
Because many claim to have empty money tanks
People’s savings are wiped off the record
Sit home! Sit home! Calculate what you can afford
For fast is this growing curse flowing
As the financial chaos wind keeps blowing
On each lip only two words are spoken
Credit-Crunch!
Behold the whole Financial Market is broken!
Copyright 2008 - Sylvia Chidi
poem by Sylvia Chidi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Something About Insight, Intuition and Awareness
There is something about insight, intuition and awareness
That can not be taught.
Like common sense is not a family trait.
It is either there or it isn't.
Experience in observation seems to be a prerequisite.
And some folks are born to walk around,
With their heads in the clouds.
I have actually had conversations,
With those who can lie easily with a straight face.
And then embellish that with something else.
Not aware they do not have to split their lips...
Before my radar detects dishonesty about to arrive.
Dressed elegantly in full BS.
There is something about insight, intuition and awareness...
That uplifts a consciousness that is far less expensive,
Than daydreaming during a college lecture.
And much more adventurous,
Than sitting to listen to a professor's drone!
Trust me.
Been there/done that!
It just amazes me people with college degrees,
And thousands of dollars still owed on loans...
Don't have a dropp of common sense!
If I was the one paying...
I would sue!
Or demand my money back for malpractice.
The expectation and what has been accomplished,
Just does not provide the balance.
Can you 'feel' me on this?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Police of The World
All wars of the U.S. are a police actions of some sort.
Lets face it we are the police of the world.
We always claim its for peace.
We always justify it with human atrocities.
Even genocide does not give us the right
We are not the negotiators.
But the enforcers of ideas as our own.
We claim it for the better.
But who has actually been reading this letter.
Defined by what in between the black lines.
What is the hidden agenda is it this time.
Is it oil?
Is it a base, of a prime location.
Are they the makers of our salvation.
Let me make proclamation.
If it doesn't involve us why are we their.
As a saying I heard once.
Why invade those who will eventually destroy themselves.
And that what we are doing destroying ourselves.
With billions of dollars spent in wars that we can't end, or we should be in.
But that's more important then kids education.
But that's more important then putting food on the table.
But that's more important then bringing ourselves out of a depression.
But that's more important then providing decent health care.
The one budget that will not be cut, is the one that should.
By the greed of man, we have become of the damned.
poem by Ace Of Black Hearts
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Rain On A Scarecrow
Scarecrow on a wooden cross Blackbird in the barn
Four hundred empty acres that used to be my farm
I grew up like my daddy did My grandpa cleared this land
When I was five I walked the fence while grandpa held my hand
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry there's no legacy for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
The crops we grew last summer weren't enough to pay the loans
Couldn't buy the seed to plant this spring and the Farmers Bank foreclosed
Called my old friend Schepman up to auction off the land
He said John it's just my job and I hope you understand
Hey calling it your job ol' hoss sure don't make it right
But if you want me to I'll say a prayer for your soul tonight
And grandma's on the front porch swing with a Bible in her hand
Sometimes I hear her singing "Take me to the Promised Land"
When you take away a man's dignity he can't work his fields and cows
There'll be blood on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Blood on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Well there's ninety-seven crosses planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety-seven families who lost ninety-seven farms
I think about my grandpa and my neighbors and my name
And some nights I feel like dyin' Like that scarecrow in the rain
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
This land fed a nation This land made me proud
And Son I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow Blood on the plow
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life in Paradise: 21st Century Style
2000-2001
The “dot com” bubble bursts
Recession
9/11/2001
America attacked!
Our way of life is threatened
Fear sets in
Financial institutions vulnerable!
Economy in a nose dive
What to do?
Everybody fly the flag from your home.
Save housing - Save the economy!
First, everybody needs a home.
The madness begins.
2002-2003
Create laws to increase minority homeownership
California gives birth to the ARMs* and NINJA** loans
Accounting irregularities at Fannie Mae (FNMA) & Freddie Mac (FDMAC) ***
Doors open for Wall Street to invest in Main Street
Without those pesky government regulations
Homeownership increases
...“After all ever since the Great Depression, home values have ALWAYS gone up
And everybody pays their mortgage ”…
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
AREN”T HOME PRICES INCREASING FASTER THAN INCOME?
…...“No problem; it only takes a little creative mortgage financing and Wall St loves those high yielding mortgages…..
HIGHER RISK - HIGHER YIELD!
Pension funds love high yield.
Buy more and more....
…...“After all ever since the Great Depression, home values have ALWAYS gone up
And everybody pays their mortgage ”…..
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
AREN”T PENSION FUNDS ONLY ALLOWED TO BUY AAA RATED INVESTMENTS?
...“Problem solved...banks pay the salaries at the Rating Agencies and Ratings Agencies in turn lower the standards to obtain a AAA rating”...
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
WHO’S WATCHING THE “HEN HOUSE” WHO’S MINDING THE STORE?
...“Who cares?
Everyone is happy
Millions of new jobs created
Millions of new homeowners
Millions of dollars for bankers
Millions of dollars for Wall St
And everyone owns a home on Main St
Money is flowing
Everyone wins! ”…
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
AREN”T HOMES BECOMING LESS AFFORDABLE?
2004 -2005
...“Pressure Government to create more creative loans and even lower down payments with even higher yields and make more bucks”…
A new mortgage is born, Euphemism: THE PAY OPTION NEGATIVE AM ARM Loan
...Easy to sell… You chose your own payment! You chose your interest rate! ...
WILL WALL ST BUY THESE LOANS?
….“You bet! Wall St loves these high yield mortgages. They package these loans as CDOs***** and sell them to Pension Funds, Municipalities, Foreign Governments etc
Spread the risk - Harvest the yield! …
Now Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac want back in on the action
...“After all ever since the Great Depression, home values have ALWAYS gone up
And everybody pays their mortgage ”
Everyone wins! …
The country is now infected with AFLUENZA
...“We need even more mortgages. Pressure Government to lower credit qualifications, raise borrowing limits, allow less equity positions. Let homeowners use their homes as ATMs+++”...
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
WHERE IS THE SEC? WHERE IS THE FED? *****
...“Banks will police themselves” says the SEC
“Homeownership is up.
The Standard of Living is up
It is good” says the Fed...
...“After all ever since the Great Depression, home values have ALWAYS gone up
And everybody pays their mortgage ”...
CAN THIS LAST? WON”T HOMES PRICES HAVE TO COME DOWN OR INCOMES GO UP? .
2006 – 2007
Prices too high.
Average home unaffordable
Fewer home buyers.
Prices sinking
ARM’s resetting
Sub prime borrowers defaulting
Ninja loans failing.
Banks taking in less
Fewer dollars to lend
Layoffs beginning
Homes over-mortgaged
Appraising for much less
Equity gone
No equity - No sale
The downward spiral begins
Existing incomes static
Mortgage payments climbing
Homes losing value
Appraising lower
Jobs being lost
Unemployment rising
Banks failing
Wall St collapsing
Investment yields disappearing.
No way out!
2008 –2009
Elect a new administration with a RESCUE PLAN!
….“Spend more money Acquire more debt”….
WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER!
*ARM: Adjustable Rate Mortgage,
** NINJA loan: No Income, No Job or Assets
*** FNMA & FDMAC: Federal National Mortgage Corporation & Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
**** CDO Collateral Debt Obligations
****** SEC: Securities & Exchange Commission & Federal Reserve System
+++ATM: Automated Teller Machine
poem by Nancy Chambers
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Economists report that a college education adds many thousands of dollars to a man's lifetime income - which he then spends sending his son to college.
quote by Bill Vaughan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Economists report that a college education adds many thousands of dollars to a man's lifetime income -- which he then spends sending his son to college.
quote by Bill Vaughan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rain On The Scarecrow
Scarecrow on a wooden cross blackbird in the barn
Four hundred empty acres that used to be my farm
I grew up like my daddy did my grandpa cleared this land
When I was five I walked the fence while grandpa held my hand
Chorus:
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
This land fed a nation this land made me proud
And son Im just sorry theres no legacy for you now
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
The crops we grew last summer werent enough to pay the loans
Couldnt buy the seed to plant this spring and the farmers bank foreclosed
Called my old friend schepman up to auction off the land
He said john its just my job and I hope you understand
Hey calling it your job ol hoss sure dont make it right
But if you want me to Ill say a prayer for your soul tonight
And grandmas on the front porch swing with a Bible in her hand
Sometimes I hear her singing take me to the promised land
When you take away a mans dignity he cant work his fields and cows
Therell be blood on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Blood on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Well theres ninety-seven crosses planted in the courthouse yard
Ninety-seven families who lost ninety-seven farms
I think about my grandpa and my neighbors and my name
And some nights I feel like dyin like that scarecrow in the rain
Chorus:
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
This land fed a nation this land made me proud
And son Im just sorry theyre just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
This land fed a nation this land made me so proud
And son Im just sorry theyre just memories for you now
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For students today, only 10 percent of children from working-class families graduate from college by the age of 24 as compared to 58 percent of upper-middle-class and wealthy families.
quote by Patrick J. Kennedy
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When our most important issue is the debt that we're piling on our children and grandchildren, I think it's pretty helpful to have someone in the U.S. Senate who has actually managed billions of dollars and knows how to cut billions of dollars.
quote by Carly Fiorina
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Pell grants are the foundation of Federal student aid. As someone who attended college with the help of Pell grants and as chairman of the Pell Grant Caucus, I know how important they are for our Nation's low-income students.
quote by Ric Keller
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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