RANDROADIES

When James Morton from Virginia 21 spoke to us before we left for New Hampshire, he informed us of a few things that we should look for in a presidential candidates platform. We need to look into how they plan to make college affordable and helping to eliminate student dept. More importantly was the rising cost of a college education and lack funding in the budget. Especially, those who don’t plan to attend a four-year university. This idea of making it free would well for vocational programs like electrical training or automotive repair. As well as Associate degree programs that can save the cost of the first two years of college. Being that I came from a community college this was important to me. I was lucky enough to be awarded a Pell Grant those first two years, but there were other non-traditional students that ended up paying out of pocket.

The convention was the place to raise awareness for the troubles millennials are facing. In other instances I feel like we are an after thought. It was up to us to confront the problem with those who are running for president. There has been posted information on candidates websites and it was helpful. But anything involving education usually focused on revamping the K-12 system. Asking what the positions were in person would give us a chance to evaluate the “comprehensive” policies brought up in past debates.

            Bernie gave us predictability; he believes that taxes need to be imposed on the 1% in order to pay for reformations. A lot of Senator Sander’s ideology was widely supported by our class. But personally once hearing him speak and question posed a lot tougher than debates it made his ideas seem a little less reasonable. When I say tougher, I mean that he is addressing a crowd that is directly affected by his beliefs. He mentioned that the burden of college should be no more and that it should free to attend. At that moment I acknowledge his hopes for this country could possibly end up being just that. Being unable to execute a plan of action is discouraging. Not to mention the crowd was told not ask any foreign policy questions.

            Hillary closer to the Democratic establishment had her own course for action for college tuition. Similar to Sanders, she believes that the wealthy need to pay more than they are in taxes. And like most candidates believe that community college should be free. She struck a cord when saying that students need to work to offset cost of educational expenses. I remembered what James said about the cost of living now versus when these candidates were attending college. It angered me because I worked a full time job my first two years at community college and my first year at VCU. And yet, when I received my financial aid package it was sufficient enough to live in Richmond. Working ten hours a week wouldn’t afford me dorm rates let alone off-campus housing. And at that point I had a decision to make, go to school or work to save more. I did both; commuting two days a week and online classes would provide me with enough credits to remain fulltime to receive all of the money awarded to me. Even so, most of the package was federal loans with interest rates well over 10%.

            Rand Paul was our candidate to focus on, I discussed Bernie in Hillary to compare viable candidates to a non-traditional ones. Rand has this belief that liberty is the number one priority. Taking government out of personal lives. Which is true and favored he was unable to tell of comprehensive plan for college tuition. He agreed that Community College should be free and that we need work to offset cost. But there wasn’t a clean comprehensive message on how we would obtain more funding. He focused on changing campus climate. Drug reform was his gateway onto college campuses. “When I was a college student that I really didn’t like about adults or rather politicians was hypocrisy”. He spoke about how non-violent marijuana use should be the end of someone’s college career. Or better yet our funding.

            I speak critically and harshly on candidates because I’m in the position where the policies chosen will affect me. Paying back student loans isn’t a fun thing. But I am happy to know that these candidates believe that my payments shouldn’t cost more than my apartment. Income based repayment is one thing I am looking forward to because otherwise based on the fluctuation of my rates it would be impossible to pay back the cost of my loan and afford to live. I bid you these words: Choose a candidate that socially appeals to you, but also has your future in mind. Fiscal ideology is important and it should paid close attention to.