Affordability of College - Issue?

[Palehorse]

So almost every republican voted today to double the interest on student loans. . . If we expect the workers of the 21st century to be well educated, how do we expect them to be able to afford such rates?

[Bo D]

"Apparently, even the education of our children is now fair game in the never-ending political soap opera "

Republicans demand that money committed to programs they don't like be skimmed to cover the costs of any bill the Democrats might happen to support—no matter who gets hurt.

In the Senate, the Democrats had proposed that the rate freeze be paid for by removing a tax loophole that allows wealthy taxpayers to avoid paying their full Social Security and Medicare tax by categorizing money they receive as dividend income rather than cash income, thus avoiding FICA taxes.

The Senate Republicans remain insistent that the House bill, which takes money from important health programs, remain the  quid pro quo for giving the Democrats what they want and what the public appears to support. The result of this approach would require that people whose lives could be saved by the cancer screening programs that would be eliminated, be put at risk in order to lessen the burden of student loan repayments." [the REAL death panel]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/05/08/student-loans-stuck-in-the-endless-senate-soap-opera/

Just for another perspective, the current rate for student loans is 3.8%. The Republicans voted to let that double to 6.8%.

In contrast, the interest rate at which an eligible financial institution may borrow funds directly from a Federal Reserve bank is 0.75%.

Sigh .... the rich get richer ....

[Henry Hawk]

it can be argued that the democrast voted to LET that double to 6.8%.
The republicans are in favor of keeping it low....they just differ on how they arrive at the same conclusion.
The dems want to raise taxes to pay for it.
The repubs want $6 billion cut from some where out the $1.4 TRILLION spending plan that they have. 

It is ALL political...none really give a flip about the students.

I think we need to be logical, and reduce spending.....it is a fact we are spending TOO much money, we are wasting billions on frivilous progams....lets find a way to be smarter instead of throwing MORE money into the kettle.

[The Troll]

  There is one thing I wish for this coming election is.  For the working and poor people in America to sit down and read all of the things the Republicans have pulled to protect the Super Rich and the Corporations from paying their fair share of the taxes that is need to run this great country.  Keeping the poorer American from sending they children to college, plus making it to expensive.  Like high interest on college loans.   

  Protecting the Rich at the expense of the American people and their children.  Trying to make the people permanent serfs and wage slaves.   

[The Troll]

it can be argued that the democrast voted to LET that double to 6.8%.
The republicans are in favor of keeping it low....they just differ on how they arrive at the same conclusion.
The dems want to raise taxes to pay for it.
The repubs want $6 billion cut from some where out the $1.4 TRILLION spending plan that they have. 

It is ALL political...none really give a flip about the students.

I think we need to be logical, and reduce spending.....it is a fact we are spending TOO much money, we are wasting billions on frivilous progams....lets find a way to be smarter instead of throwing MORE money into the kettle.

  Aren't you the one who took government money to put your kid through college.  Like money from the Army.   

[Bo D]

it can be argued that the democrast voted to LET that double to 6.8%.
The republicans are in favor of keeping it low....they just differ on how they arrive at the same conclusion.
The dems want to raise taxes to pay for it.
The repubs want $6 billion cut from some where out the $1.4 TRILLION spending plan that they have. 

It is ALL political...none really give a flip about the students.

I think we need to be logical, and reduce spending.....it is a fact we are spending TOO much money, we are wasting billions on frivilous progams....lets find a way to be smarter instead of throwing MORE money into the kettle.

Let's stick to the issue at hand.

You say "The dems want to raise taxes to pay for it." When in reality, "Democrats had proposed that the rate freeze be paid for by removing a tax loophole that allows wealthy taxpayers to avoid paying their full Social Security and Medicare tax by categorizing money they receive as dividend income rather than cash income, thus avoiding FICA taxes." What is wrong with asking the wealthy taxpayers to pay their Social Security and Medicare taxes?

You say "The repubs want $6 billion cut from some where out the $1.4 TRILLION spending plan that they have." When in reality, the Republicans want to eliminate "preventative health and cancer screening program created in the Affordable Care Act."  I ask you, Henry. Is this your idea of "frivilous progams?"

[Henry Hawk]

Let's stick to the issue at hand.

You say "The dems want to raise taxes to pay for it." When in reality, "Democrats had proposed that the rate freeze be paid for by removing a tax loophole that allows wealthy taxpayers to avoid paying their full Social Security and Medicare tax by categorizing money they receive as dividend income rather than cash income, thus avoiding FICA taxes." What is wrong with asking the wealthy taxpayers to pay their Social Security and Medicare taxes?

You say "The repubs want $6 billion cut from some where out the $1.4 TRILLION spending plan that they have." When in reality, the Republicans want to eliminate "preventative health and cancer screening program created in the Affordable Care Act."  I ask you, Henry. Is this your idea of "frivilous progams?"

I'm not saying THAT is a frivilous progam by any means...but we DO have frivilous programs out there...don't you agree?
I am also not opposed to cutting out ridiculous loop holes in our tax system...I believe we do.

All I am saying BOTH parties are playing games right now, at the expense of our kids TRYING to educate themselves.
I am tired of democrats acting like THEY give a sh!t about people when they don't...they are trying to BUY votes from the students right now.........
I wish both sides would get serious and come up with common ground that we ALL benefit from...and that, in MY opinion, comes down to leadership by the white house.

[Bo D]

I'm not saying THAT is a frivilous progam by any means...but we DO have frivilous programs out there...don't you agree?
I am also not opposed to cutting out ridiculous loop holes in our tax system...I believe we do.

All I am saying BOTH parties are playing games right now, at the expense of our kids TRYING to educate themselves.
I am tired of democrats acting like THEY give a sh!t about people when they don't...they are trying to BUY votes from the students right now.........
I wish both sides would get serious and come up with common ground that we ALL benefit from...and that, in MY opinion, comes down to leadership by the white house.

I agree. We do have many frivolous programs. So why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program? I'll tell you why. They are so desperate to kill the Affordable Care Act that they think they can hide behind this ploy.

And if you agree with closing the tax loophole, why do you say the Democrats are playing games? It seems to me that they are taking the logical steps to pay for the student loan program, instead of adding to the deficit. The only game I see here is the Republican game of obstruction. And no amount of leadership from the White House is going to overcome this blind resistance at all costs by the knuckle-headed Republicans.

[Palehorse]

Democrats are not the ones who are holding the unemployed hostage, running rough-shod over women's rights, insisting on increasing taxation on the 99% while extending tax breaks to the 1%, insisting on the slashing of social safety net programs when they are needed most, doubling the cost of college education, and saying no to every single piece of proposed legislation.

This latest act further validates the fact that the repugnican party is nothing but a rich and corporation serving lapdog.

[Bo D]

I agree. We do have many frivolous programs. So why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program? I'll tell you why. They are so desperate to kill the Affordable Care Act that they think they can hide behind this ploy.

And if you agree with closing the tax loophole, why do you say the Democrats are playing games? It seems to me that they are taking the logical steps to pay for the student loan program, instead of adding to the deficit. The only game I see here is the Republican game of obstruction. And no amount of leadership from the White House is going to overcome this blind resistance at all costs by the knuckle-headed Republicans.

Oh, Hank?

why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program?

And if you agree with closing the tax loophole, why do you say the Democrats are playing games?

[Henry Hawk]

Oh, Hank?

why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program?

And if you agree with closing the tax loophole, why do you say the Democrats are playing games?

It is not as simple as closing a loop hole...it is a political ploy.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/05/student-loan-payroll-tax-increase-another-attack-on-small-business

[Bo D]

It is not as simple as closing a loop hole...it is a political ploy.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/05/student-loan-payroll-tax-increase-another-attack-on-small-business

Indeed it is. By the Republicans.

"The bill would pay for the $5.9 billion loan rate freeze by preventing individuals with incomes exceeding $250,000 who file their taxes as a small business to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes on some of their income."

I ask you again, what is wrong with that?

And you ignored my first question ...."why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program?"

[Bo D]

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/05/student-loan-payroll-tax-increase-another-attack-on-small-business

One more thing ... the other day, I was castigated for using a liberal website as a source.

Are you the goose or the gander?

[Henry Hawk]

Indeed it is. By the Republicans.

"The bill would pay for the $5.9 billion loan rate freeze by preventing individuals with incomes exceeding $250,000 who file their taxes as a small business to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes on some of their income."

I ask you again, what is wrong with that?

And you ignored my first question ...."why do the Republicans choose to attack the preventative health and cancer screening program?"

I didn't say that the repubs wasn't playing games either..........they BOTH are.  Why they choose to attack the Affordable Care Act, I'm betting it has something to do with the case on repeallng the "obama" care bill.

Again, if you can admit that the dems are  not perfect angels and are "doing good" for the Ameican people, but rather trying to garner college votes for november.

THAT is what it comes down to....and YES, the repubs are dicking around too...I'm betting a bill gets passed, and student loans will stay the same.

[Henry Hawk]

One more thing ... the other day, I was castigated for using a liberal website as a source.

Are you the goose or the gander?

I was just utilizing the opportunity to blast back what you guys have been throwing at me for years........the heritage foundation is one I will ALWAYS rely on for a conservative opinion....so, I'm not sure if I'm a goose or a gander. You pick.