New term brings Bush fresh challenges relevant to students

House Editorial

The platform of the GOP, and that of President Bush, should come as no surprise to anyone within earshot of this fall’s mass-media campaign coverage. It also should come as no surprise that students — yes, students — were listening.

And we’ll be listening today, too. As Bush is sworn in and speaks to the nation in his second inaugural address this afternoon, we expect students to tune in for three particular issues.

Economic Outlook

The goal is simple: Create new jobs and protect existing ones. To droves of students entering a fluctuating, Bush-era job market, few things seem more important.

To economists and advisers, however, no single answer can resolve the complications induced by years of ineffective, or at least questionable, fiscal policies.

Most of us aren’t studying to be economists, but we’ve got a few suggestions. Stop granting tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Deferral policies encourage outsourcing. Instead, cut taxes for companies that produce jobs at home.

It might seem too simple. But even much of Bush’s rhetoric backs the ideology that a strong economy, with a growing and stable job market, is critical to America’s strength and security.

Higher Education Costs

Reception of education reform á la Bush varies from adored to despised. But it’s his policies that address the escalating costs of higher education that we’ll tune our ears to today.

The Washington Post reports college tuitions have risen by 30 percent over the last three years. We at JMU certainly have felt the increase.

As governor, Bush promised to increase college aid. But he also attempted to increase charges on student loans and eliminate Pell Grants to thousands of people. A new formula to calculate financial aid was introduced last month and could deny up to 90,000 students grants, The Post reported.

Students have a right to call his priorities into question. College must be made affordable.

Earlier this week, it seems Bush attempted to make good on his promise. In a proposal Friday, Bush said he aims to increase the maximum federal grant for low-income college students by $100 a year for five years.

Many say the change is small. And they would be right — a much too large discrepancy exists between Bush’s rhetoric and actions. The new maximum of $4,550 (up from $4,050) is still thousands higher than the average student actually receives. However, the proposal signals a willingness to make education increase the accessibility of education.

We hope the trend continues.

Polarization

It borders on hackneyed to encourage Bush to be a uniter, not a divider — but we’ve had enough.

Following a week of events promoting unity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., following a season of political debates promoting respect among differences and following a season of OrangeBand programs advancing understanding of cultural, ideological and social diversity, students on this campus have made their view clear: The only thing not to be tolerated is intolerance.

While traveling abroad, students should never have to hang their head. Following the election, some said they were ashamed to be American. Some joked about moving to Canada.

Internationally, we feel divided. Domestically, we feel divided. Bush cannot continue his seeming war against differences.

We are thankful students at JMU know differences are a source of strength. They’ve learned to take pride in them, fight for them, and savor the freedom that allows them to exist. If only we could personally pass that advice along to our president.

We expect Bush to speak on these issues. We expect students to listen. We hope Bush listens, too.