2008 Woodie Awards
I'm Mentioning
A son should not be punished for the sins of the father...
Frank Romero
Date created: 1/31/05 Section: OPINION
Many people say it's our new governor's fault that the prices have gone up so high; however, if you remember, the prices for classes were increased before Gray Davis was ever recalled from office.
The fact of the matter is that there are many individuals responsible for the increase, and although I have no way of knowing for sure, I would be willing to bet that at least 75 percent of those involved in the decision making process actually attended a community college at one time or another throughout the course of their lives.
Did these individuals have to pay the increased prices? Did any of the thousands of people who came to this school in the past have to pay what we do? Of course they didn't.
So, what's different now as opposed to then? Has the cost of teaching risen that dramatically? Is it because paper has become as rare as gold, and is now so expensive that it is necessary to have a 100 percent increase in tuition simply to afford the supplies needed to teach?
I think our generation should not be held responsible. Those of us who attend classes now are in no way at fault for the deficit California has fallen into. That deficit was caused by the already educated individuals who are now in power and have already received their education from this, and other schools similar to this across the state.
Although it is not our fault that the state desperately needs money, it is inevitably us who are going to pay for it. Personally, I think we should try to balance this issue.
If we have no choice but to pay the $26 per unit, our elders should pay the same. Anyone and everyone who ever attended community college before should be billed to make up the difference between the amount of money they paid, and the price they would be paying today. If they don't think it's fair, that's perfectly fine. We don't think it's fair that we're paying for the deficit now.
Long winded? Yes. Relevant? Probably. Filled with angry complaints? Most definitely. You all know my style, so I don't think it needs to be explained. Until next time and as always, I am the Accordion Cowboy, and this is I'm Mentioning.
The fact of the matter is that there are many individuals responsible for the increase, and although I have no way of knowing for sure, I would be willing to bet that at least 75 percent of those involved in the decision making process actually attended a community college at one time or another throughout the course of their lives.
Did these individuals have to pay the increased prices? Did any of the thousands of people who came to this school in the past have to pay what we do? Of course they didn't.
So, what's different now as opposed to then? Has the cost of teaching risen that dramatically? Is it because paper has become as rare as gold, and is now so expensive that it is necessary to have a 100 percent increase in tuition simply to afford the supplies needed to teach?
I think our generation should not be held responsible. Those of us who attend classes now are in no way at fault for the deficit California has fallen into. That deficit was caused by the already educated individuals who are now in power and have already received their education from this, and other schools similar to this across the state.
Although it is not our fault that the state desperately needs money, it is inevitably us who are going to pay for it. Personally, I think we should try to balance this issue.
If we have no choice but to pay the $26 per unit, our elders should pay the same. Anyone and everyone who ever attended community college before should be billed to make up the difference between the amount of money they paid, and the price they would be paying today. If they don't think it's fair, that's perfectly fine. We don't think it's fair that we're paying for the deficit now.
Long winded? Yes. Relevant? Probably. Filled with angry complaints? Most definitely. You all know my style, so I don't think it needs to be explained. Until next time and as always, I am the Accordion Cowboy, and this is I'm Mentioning.
