burr sells out students to his banking buddies
Republican Senator Richard Burr would rather sell out low income students than say no to his special interest friends in Washington.
Burr is a primary sponsor of a measure that reduces by several billion dollars the money that low-income students receive in federal Pell grants. The neediest of students would lose about an average of $300 in increased scholarship aid under Burr’s proposal.
That’s remarkable considering that 147,095 North Carolina students received Pell Grants totaling more than $365.8 million during the 2005-2006 school year. (US Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/finaid/prof/resources/data/pell-2005-06/table-22-2005-06.xls)
What would make Burr sell out his own constituents?
Burr received nearly $130,000 from private student loan lenders for his personal campaign account and his leadership PAC, the Next Century Fund. Wachovia and Sallie Mae have been the most generous of givers, donating $44,350 and $14,500 respectively through their companies and corporate PACs. (HigherEdWatch.org: http://www.newamerica.net/blogs/education_policy/2007/07/banking_ben_nelson_and_richard_burr)
Private lenders, under the Democratic proposal, would get less in federal government subsidies. The savings would then be redirected to increase spending for student aid.
“I’m not saying Richard Burr is bought and paid for,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek. “But Burr’s actions could leave thousands of hard-working North Carolina college students stuck with the bill.”
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Ever the diplomat
I AM saying Richard Burr is bought and paid for . . . which is why I could never do Jerry's job.
Thanks for reporting this.
I've noticed the soft approach in NC politicians
watching Mel Watt on C-Span yesterday morning appologizing ( calling Bush a liar on the floor of the Congress is a no-no apparently ) it struck me how he speaks softly. Gentle, calming, conciliatory. I just hope he's carrying A BIG STICK
It's Not Rocket Science
The cost of everything is up. But the money in our pockets is going down.
We see which way the wind is blowing Senator. I hope you enjoyed your ride. (while it lasted)
Are we criticizing the odor or the skunk?
either way it stinks, but Burr never pretended to be anything else.
When North Caroilinians elected a skunk, we should have expected the odor.
Republicans are Republicans. They defend and represent the powerful, rich and influential. They have not hidden that. Burr and Liddy are being true to what they are and always were.
We failed in educating the voters. The organizational skills of the Democratic Party in NC are sorely lacking. The Status Quo in NC politics is no friend to Democrats, but we accept it and even perpetuate it. Republicans in NC have been reaching out to the non-alligned...the undecided and those sitting on the fence......We Democrats have, as usual, been talking to each other.
I love the Democratic principle... I am proud to be a NC Democrat...but we are letting ourselves down...We need to stand up and be counted...all over NC....not only within our own camps.
Nice weather we're having ain't it.
No Friend to Anyone -
Dull & Brrr shaft the average North Carolinian on a regular basis.
I guess some people still think Voodoo Economics and the 'trickle down effect' really work -
Guess they haven't figured it out yet, eh?
The fewer and less Direct Government Loans,....
the greater the commercail banking loans...its 2+2.
Actually we are attacking the wrong things. ALL student loans should be "Direct Government Loans". All Junior Colleges (Community Colleges) in America should be as free as any high school.