EDITORIAL: Cutting Class

The Republicans' misguidedThe Republicans' misguidedbudget proposal couldThe Republicans' misguidedbudget proposal couldincrease loan costs by asThe Republicans' misguidedbudget proposal couldincrease loan costs by asmuch as $1,426 perThe Republicans' misguidedbudget proposal couldincrease loan costs by asmuch as $1,426 perUniversity student.The Republicans' misguidedbudget proposal couldincrease loan costs by asmuch as $1,426 perUniversity student._____________________________ The plan is an outrage. Buried somewhere within the Washington, D.C. beltway, legislators have lost their way. They have been blinded by dollar signs and decimal points, forgetting the real value of a college education. Let us remind you: College graduates shape the future of our country. College graduates heal the sick, shape the laws, and employ the jobless. The value of a college education must not carry a price tag, for it ensures the continued success of a nation. Money loaned to students is not simply a financial investment returning interest; more importantly, it is an investment in the future. These budget cuts are not simply a problem for the underprivileged alone. In today's economic climate, middle class parents also depend on subsidized tuition to keep their children in school. Without this funding, student loan costs could increase as much as $1,426 over four years. College could become a purely upper-class domain -- only those who can afford to pay for their education can attend. How many great thinkers will we lose to the budget ax? How much money is the next Albert Einstein or F. Scott Fitzgerald worth? Should we, as a nation, choose to educate and enlighten or penny-pinch and save? The budget proposal's obvious shortsightedness demands action. We encourage all University students to write or call their congressional representatives to voice their strong disapproval for this budget proposal. As an election year approaches, they will be sure to listen, knowing they can be voted out. President Clinton has called the budget cuts "Penny-wise, but pound foolish." We couldn't agree more.