The linked is a nice story; she was also on NBC national news last night. This is the sort of student that someone like me would want to warm with: emthusiastic, motivated, presumably smart.

But, I can't resist the following snarky comments. Under the administration of president Ron Paul, she is unlikely to work for NOAA or other governments agencies because some will be done away with (EPA) and many of the rest would have their budgets slashed. She would have to hope she is accepted by a rich university like Harvard or Brown (or rich private colleges like Williams or Amherst, both of which HD applied to). The reason is that president Paul would likely want to eliminate Pell Grants, and the rich schools give grants (not loans) based on need to cover all expenses and fees if you are poor enough.

HD was wait-listed at Williams (2nd most difficult college to get into in Country after Amherst). She went to, and graduated from (Cum Laude), UC Santa Cruz. The homeless student, Samantha, probably would not be able to afford to go to a future UC Santa Cruz, which I assume already has limited ability to cover more than tuition, which has gone up extremely (although from a low in-state starting point) in the last few years (State budget problems, not Federal).

Some of the other Republican candidates are worse. At least Ron Paul is consistent: he would slash everything. Others would increase our already huge military while slashing everything else.

Yes, the deficit and someday the debt have to be reduced. Most democrats have a very different approach to this then all of the Republican candidates (except maybe Huntsman?).

Yes, I know USA presidents depend on the Congress to pass laws. I don't know how much ability they have to eliminate things on their own.

Chris

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