Kerry proposes tax cut to help make college affordable for middle class

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/pr_2003_0912.html

Columbia, SC -

Presidential candidate John Kerry visited Benedict College today where he announced the centerpiece of his middle class tax plan—a new College Opportunity Tax Credit that would make four years of college affordable for hardworking families struggling with skyrocketing tuition costs. 

Kerry’s proposal would relieve the burden on middle class and low-income families, and reflects his strong disagreement with those in his own party—including Howard Dean—who have proposed time and time again to raise taxes by thousands of dollars on hardworking families who are already struggling to pay the bills.  

John Kerry said, “Middle class families are taking too many hits already – their health care costs are rising, housing payments are higher, their jobs less secure, and college is costing more and more.  The last thing these students’ families need is a tax increase.

“Unfortunately, some in my party want to repeal the tax cuts Democrats gave middle class families.  This is wrong, and my plan will provide tax credits that keep college within reach for all students.  We need to offer these students and their families our support—and that starts with a quality education.”

Kerry has introduced a College Opportunity Tax Credit that would make four years of college affordable for all Americans.  He will provide a credit for each and every year of college on the first $4,000 paid in tuition—the typical tuition and fees for public college tuition.  The credit will provide 100% of the first $1000 and 50% on the rest.  It will also make this credit refundable so that it helps the most vulnerable students.

[lcordero]

1. Taxcuts DON'T WORK

They haven't worked in the last 20+ years and THEY NEVER WILL!

[LuminousX]

2. Want to make college affordable?

Audit how those colleges and universities are spending the money. I believe because of guaranteed student loans, colleges and universities pad the tuition to get every last dollar they can.

[maxomai_vs_rove]

3. I like this plan

My question is, how much is it going to cost? Can we afford it?

What will we have to cut in order to provide this credit?

We *do* need to ask these questions. We can't go on with deficit spending for much longer, as foreign investors are starting to turn away from Treasuries.

[w4rma]

4. This looks to me like it is an upper class tax cut, also.

IMHO, it would be better to subsidize collages and somehow regulate their tuitions to keep them from skyrocketing.

[sandnsea]

5. It's Kerry's plan, can't be any good

That bastard.

[kwolf68]

6. I know

Hes a loser. If this had been Dean we would be blowing Kazoos and working our crotchal area.

[DrFunkenstein]

7. His Non-Military Plan For Affording College

"A new 'Service for College' initiative will call on young people both to help strengthen America's security and to address unmet needs. For every young person who gives two years of service, America will pay the cost for four years of their state's public college tuition. This will simultaneously strengthen our society, enhance our economy and advance our values by opening doors of higher education to those who respond to a higher sense of duty to make our country better.

My aim is nothing less than to make national service a way of life for each new generation of Americans. So I will set a goal within the next decade of enlisting five hundred thousand young people a year in Service for College - more than one out of seven young Americans working side by side, in many different ways, but with a common commitment to our best hopes and values.

America has already seen the impact of enlisting the young in meeting some of our hardest challenges. For nearly ten years, young people have received assistance in paying for college in exchange for a commitment to serve as police officers after graduation.

The Police Corps is an idea I've championed from the start; it has been one of the most innovative initiatives of the last decade. As President, I will expand it and it will continue to provide an even higher level of benefit for all four years of college.

Whether the young people who are members of the Corps stay in police work or serve and then go on to other careers, they make our streets safer while they are in uniform - and, in a larger sense, whether in uniform or afterwards - they strengthen our rule of law and our shared understanding of rights and responsibilities."

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/speeches/spc_2003_0519.html

This is just one aspect of Kerry's national service program. I regret that it took me so long to check it out. For those of you that like the idea of inspiring the sense of community and full-bodied citizenship that people like Bill Moyers and Ralph Nader promote, you will find this speech truly amazing.

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[burr]

8. Way to go Johnny!!!

How many is that now, four or 50?

They don't mind giving up the college scholarships, fewer slots for students, and lower tuition as a result. Nor do they mind paying higher interest rates on their student loans, lower incomes to pay down their loans, or being replaced by outsourced workers. All that matters now is defaulting on the national debt, so the entire nation goes to hell before they are handed the price tab.

[sandnsea]

9. What a terrible idea

Let's kick it up so everybody sees how horrible Kerry's college plan is in comparison to Dean's wonderful plan for the elderly.

Yeah, I'm being a bitch tonight.