If the proposed budget cuts are passed, fewer people would be able to attend college, and have the lifelong benefits, both monetary and otherwise, of a higher education. Essentially, only the already wealthy people of this country would be able to afford a decent education, further separating the already large distinction between the rich and the poor. Or, people would be forced into high paying jobs, instead of those desperately needed service jobs like teaching in the cities, that pay very little in order to pay off a huge education bill. A recipient of federal aid myself, I resent being told that I am not entitled to the kind of education a place like Trinity can offer because my family is not wealthy enough. But that is what congress is doing.

Balancing the Budget is among other things, a question of priorities. Education should be the top priority of this country. But for the price of just three b-52's, the federal Pell grant program could be doubled in size, expanding the college opportunities for the children of more working class families. The pentagon has said that it doesn't need any more b-52 bombers. But that hasn't deterred congress which has voted to build several new b-52 bombers, designed to penetrate Soviet air space. Another act of Congress this summer was to allocate 600 billion dollars more to than Pentagon than they even asked for. Why? Because the districts where some influential members of congress are from hold the contracts to build these massive weapons. This is from the same congress that is screaming to make cuts across the board and cutting education in the interest of balancing the budget. But they won't make cuts in their hometown.

This is simply a screw up of priorities.

This almost seems like a cut and dry issue- who is not in favor of higher education? Some of the arguments that I have heard for the budget cuts is that college already costs too much and that by cutting funding for education it will actually lower tuition, enabling more people to go to college. That's a dangerous risk to take, and it is still denying a good education for many people. In addition, if tuition comes down, colleges will most likely be forced to make some cuts, possibly putting the quality of education in jeopardy. Yeah a college tuition is too expensive, but so is a B-52 bomber and a candy bar. Again it's a question of priorities. What is really important enough to spend money on? Everyone's answer should be education.

Another more pervasive and more disturbing argument for cutting funding for higher education is the idea that no one should be getting handouts from the government. I made it on my own and blah blah blah. Anyone familiar with an iota of American history knows that the idea that someone can "do it themselves" is just a myth ( created by watching too much television, I believe). The fact is that prior to the nineteen thirties only 5% of the population even went to college. In other words, only those who had a large sum of money, or who were able to gain the favor of someone with money, were able to go to college. Starting with the first federal student aid program in the nineteen forties, the GI bill, which enabled returning veterans to go to college, the percentage of the population attending has steadily risen to about 45% or more. I don't see much better proof that federal student aid programs work.

What can you do as a Trinity student? ConnPIRG is organizing this semester to let your congressmen know that you care about student aid. A few weeks ago, several students called the office of their representatives to go on record as opposing the proposed budget cuts. One aid to a representative had the gall to tell the student caller not to worry because the proposed cuts wouldn't really mean anything!!?!!! If you are the student on financial aid for whom every penny needs to be saved, then these cuts are very important. 10 million dollars may not be much for congress but 2,000 dollars could mean the difference of a college education for me. Let Congress know how you feel by making a phone call, or Writing a letter, or e-mailing congress. Phone numbers and sample letters are available from ConnPIRG, as well as additional information on this issue. If you were at all moved by the Ralph Nader speech than this is a wonderful opportunity to become a "civic" person, and take an interest in the actions of congress that affect you and that you feel are just plain wrong. Stop the student aid budget cuts from happening now- in a month it may be to late, congress is planning on finishing up this issue soon.

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© Trincoll Journal, 1995.