US House to Current Student Loan Holders: "Sorry about your luck!"

H.R. 4872, the Health Care & Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, includes wording to remove subsidies to private loan providers. That's all fine and well, but Section 2214 of the bill - the section previously touted by the Young Democrats to help those of us currently drowning in student loan debt - only reduces payments and payment maximum terms for "New borrowers on and after July 1, 2014." Other wording earlier in the bill suggests that Federal consolidation loans may not be available for current borrowers come 2014, thus making us ineligible to become a "new borrower." This is unacceptable. If you find problems with this, you should contact your Senators immediately as the bill has already passed the House.

Update: The bill will soon be sent back to the House. Try contacting your House members as well!

Republicans Try a Democratic Tactic

"The word went out that the people's house is finally the people's house again," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said.

If only that was true. Democrats used the stay-after-hours tactic in 1995, this is nothing new. Here's an idea: Show up and speak up during normal operating hours and perhaps the American legislative machine could get something accomplished for once. And most importantly, get this passionate even when you're not up for re-election.

G4's "Attack of the Ron Paul"

G4 television attacks Ron Paul, alienates viewer base.

Kevin Pereira, co-host of G4's popular "Attack of the Show", was caught this week displaying blatant ignorance in a failed on-air joke. After showing a clip of Giuliani in the Fox Republican Debate where the moderator called Giuliani out for "being the only one on this stage that is against the war in Iraq" (implying that he is the only anti-war Republican candidate, which is untrue since Ron Paul is also anti-war), Pereira tries eliciting humor by saying that it is contradictory for Ron Paul to be running for president "since he is anti-government."

It is obvious that Pereira missed out on a few United States history lessons, and knows nothing about Paul's campaign. As G4's viewers know, Ron Paul is not "anti-government." He advocates returning to the vision our forefathers had for the federal government, which is a small federal government with most of the power left to the individual states. Ron Paul does not support disbanding the federal government, just shrinking its power, which is all important after the many executive orders and bills of dubious legality that President Bush signed while he was in office. A president has the power to control the size of the federal government, so it makes plenty of sense for Paul to be running for president.

It is also obvious that Pereira is out of touch about his target audience. G4 is a gamers television network with a target audience of males ages 13-35 who are informed, or want to be informed, about technology. This demographic happens to also be the same people who visit TechCrunch. According to the TechCrunch primaries, 70% of the Republicans in this demographic will vote for Ron Paul.

I suggest that Pereira study up before going on the air again.

College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007

We also have exciting news to report from the Democratic Congress. Earlier this month, Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) led the fight to pass the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007! The bill will provide more than $18 billion over the next 5 years to help students with college tuition. Now it’s up to President Bush to sign the bill.

I would highly recommend that the Republican Party request that the president sign the bill. It's political suicide for him and his party for the new generation if he doesn't sign it. Contrary to popular belief, the youth do follow politics, and we will outnumber non-youth before you know it. Time to shape up...or be left behind.

Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007

Passage of the "Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007" will eliminate the threat of unfair and discriminatory taxes that would limit the consumer choice, delay innovation, and prevent some from accessing the Internet.

You Can Make a Difference Today! Urge your elected officials in Washington to Keep Access Taxes Off of the Internet by Supporting the "Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007".