Politics as usual

Larry Ragland
March 22, 2010
Filed under Opinion

           We all take different roads in life, ultimately setting on the path of life that is meant for us. For me, college was a forgone conclusion after. Graduation in 95, my goal was to simply work and make enough money to do what I wanted to, buy what I wanted. Needless to say, that was a difficult task. Now, years later (arguably when I was ready for college) I’m back in school and the only obstacle preventing me from achieving my goals, is money related and out of my control.

I’ve been blessed; I’m in a better situation than my peers. I have funds available to me that pay for my education but for many this isn’t the case. Just last semester, we had a fee increase, and now we find out that another is coming down the tubes? How does that work? How is that fair in any shape way or form? So let me get this straight. Due to something that is largely out of our control, mired in politics and other nonsense, we the students (and the tax payers) are now being asked to pay up once again. We the student body, are supposed fill the gap that they-the state and federal government, created.

In order to understand and hopefully change our situation, we need to face the facts about what our supposed “leaders” in state and local government are doing. California is deep in debt, everyone knows this. We are trying to sell our debt in the form of bonds that frankly, people aren’t exactly interested in. Why should we be? The same people doing the same things, over and over again, yet somehow through lack of civic responsibility, have continued to put these crooks in office. If the people in charge of the states funds are proving themselves untrustworthy, time and time again, them boot them out of office and get people who can make the a change. Because of politicians’ mistakes and lack of responsibility, we have to bare the load and that isn’t right.

With the price going up to $40′s a credit that could be the death nail that many have been dreading. Let alone the cost of paying for books (most of which I haven’t even used yet), the added cost is going to be too much for some. Even with financial aid programs, we don’t have any more money. The supposed $150 million that is to be generated because of the increase isn’t going towards more teachers, classrooms or equipment. Instead, it’s going to fill the other hole left behind by past financial transgressions. In any case, I believe that those in charge, those making the laws, making deals in smoke filled backrooms, should be held responsible. They should be replaced.

Ultimately, it is the student body who has to take a stand for what is in store for the education, their future. At one time, state colleges were free. Obviously, that isn’t the case anymore and it’s only going to get worse. Wake up. Start paying attention. We need to organize, unite and effectively make a change. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of having things that directly affect my life, the life of my fellow student’s and teachers, out of my control. The government doesn’t have any money, all of those funds are from tax dollars, our money. Start acting like you care, you should. It’s painfully obvious to this student, that the head honchos aren’t listening, don’t care and have plans of their own.

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