I hate the Massachusetts political machine. Last week, we heard about Senate President Robert Travaligni's brother getting a $40,000 pay raise (apparently because $260,000/year wasn't enough)...and today, we hear that war veterans are being forced to sign loans for college tuition because the Legislature ended their session without a decision? Isn't that the main reason why most of them signed up in the first place? Ever heard of honoring a promise?The following is a quote by gubernatorial candidate Kerry Healey, from today's Boston Herald:
"The Legislature has made the appalling decision to vote on things like tuition breaks for illegal immigrants, but they couldn’t take the time to take a vote to help our Massachusetts war heroes...I find it deeply disturbing.”National Guard officials say the bureaucratic red tape has left some soldiers scrambling to meet tuition costs.
“It appears that some schools are honoring the tuition fee waivers and some are not,” said National Guard spokesman Maj. Winfield Danielson. “We remain hopeful that the Legislature will fund the tuition waiver in an informal session.
Two groups are responsible here, and should be ashamed of themselves. MA Pols, and the colleges who won't honor war veteran tuition fee waivers. I want the Herald to post a list of those colleges who won't accept the waivers. Blacklist those schools! These guys, no matter how you feel about the war in Iraq, are putting their lives on the line, for us.
I'm not blind to the fact that Kerry Healey is a MA pol herself - she's spinning the whole situation for her own political gain (they're veterans, enough with the dramatic "hero" kick for spin - veteran says it all, thanks), but she's right in her overall sentiment.
I have a real problem with the fact that there are people in Massachusetts who are living illegally, not paying taxes, and are getting a break on tuition...especially when you factor in the fact that veterans aren't receiving the bare minimum of what's been promised to them.
I'm sure there are more than a few illegal immigrants who have stories that pull on our heartstrings, but rules should be enforced. It just goes to show how flawed our system of government in Massachusetts really is.
What a bunch of absolutely pathetic losers. And they wonder why voter turnout is so low.
3 comments:
Without reading anything or spending time to understand the issue, it sounds like the colleges aren't honoring the tuition waivers because there is no guarantee the government will fund them. So it's all on the government, don't blame the schools.
This season's premiere episode of 30 Days dealt with immigration, and it was really good. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it was just a really well-made documentary.
Colleges offer scholarships to people less deserving than those in the military, year in, year out - they're called athletes. So, yeah, I'm thinking, those colleges can be held responsible, for not coming up with a more creative solution.
I need to see that episode of 30 Days.
I mean, don't get me wrong re: illegal immigrants - I understand that they exist in a dire situation. But rules are rules, if I live here, and I have to pay for services, then everyone else that lives here should too.
And I refuse to place all the blame on the illegals - I know that red tape keeps a majority of them from ever reaching citizenship. The government needs to make some changes that help these people. This country is built on immigration, and turning a blind eye on it (e.g., building a fence to keep them out) isn't the solution.
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