on PolicyMic
Joe Fragassi please disregard the most recent two comments below, the website repeated them for some reason...start reading the comment thread at :"students are to blame..."
Joe Fragassi and by the way, we can control college costs if we, as a nation decide to boycott major universities for community colleges, which charge a much smaller amount and don't boast the kinds of numbers you posted in this article. If, as you say, it's a luxury to go to college, then they should be advertising that way. not as if you have to have a college degree, no matter what your income level, and if you can't afford it, take out loans (which, as you mention, they're now suing for). A Cadillac is a luxury car, but they don't try selling it to lower class car shoppers. If you don't have enough to finance it, they might tell you to look at a cheaper vehicle, because they admit its a LUXURY car. The data you included defeat your own argument.
Joe Fragassi And, yes, it is essential to know the employability of your major, something they wash over in college pamphlets, shadow days, and visits. College is a business, they'll sell any career path to an undecided prospect. You wrote, "Young people should realize that nothing is guaranteed simply by graduating from college. Society does not owe everyone with a diploma a job". You're right, society doesn't, but a college does owe them something. And, no, they may not be able to guarantee you a job in this changing world and bad economy, but then they shouldn't be charging so much for such a common token of what could end up being a crapshoot experience given the circumstances out there. No one to blame but ourselves? No offense, but thats awful.
Joe Fragassi ...at least a well paying job. in response to your closing paragraph, the point for most, of going to college, is to decipher what is best for you to do in life. Not every kid has their mind made up upon graduation of high school. You can't assume students are simply going to entrench themselves in a comfortable academic setting with no thought of their future endeavours. If colleges are evolving from the once spoken advertisement of 'get a good career, get a college degree, it'll set you apart" to 'you have to go to college just to compete nowadays. you can't get anywhere with just a high school degree', then they need to stop ripping people off with exorbitant costs for an admittedly average degree that does not set you apart anymore...
Joe Fragassi students are to blame because they did not realize its an investment? at a time when colleges are suing them shortly after graduating for the repayment of debt? Hmm, if its an investment, shouldn't both sides see it as one that takes time to pay off? The colleges are admitting, by doing this, that the graduate should have a well paying job right off the bat. As you mentioned, most 18 year olds don't know squat about investments, therefore shouldn't the admissions counselors help you realize the decision you're making instead of blindly leading you in? And unrealistic expectations and a sense of entitlement?? when you're throwing sometimes hundreds of thousands at a university, um yeah, I'd expect something pretty grand in return...
Joe Fragassi i agree, Chris, this was the turning point of the deliberations today
Joe Fragassi actually most of the current subjects needing reform come from tradition not directly from scripture, so you might want to pay closer attention before over simplifying the problem
Joe Fragassi Did I say this Pope was definitely going to accept gay marriages? I didn't even suggest he would accept civil unions. I brought up the fact that he considered the idea and brought it to the table when he was a bishop. "Anyone assuming Pope Francis will alter certain church platforms on gay marriage or females becoming priests will be surely disappointed"...the point of this article is to suggest that the church needs to invite gays back to the table, not that Francis is pro-gay marriage...and comparing the new holy father to Hitler? Feel free, but I will not join you in that inflammatory assesment
Joe Fragassi Congress broke that resolution, and ensured that 'appropriate measures' were meaningless, when they decided that the Post Office, a solvent organization, and its funds should be established as a piggy bank for government spending. The USPS has a duty to ensure that all 'appropriate measures' are being taken to ensure the continuation of government run mail, something set up by our founding fathers, and the incomes of its employees. That is not dependent on the irresponsible whims of changing members of Congress. The Post Office kept its promise to remain solvent. Congress obviously did not keep their promise to allow the organization to continue on as a government run service, if they're now forcing it to bankruptcy.
Joe Fragassi Where did this title come from? I think its misleading...the article makes the case for football not to change, but does not portray the breeding of violence
Joe Fragassi and are all of these hellish machines intending to cause mass casualties? Why are there signs on the highways informing us how many people have died in aut-related accidents this year, in an effort to produce more caution, yet there are no signs in gun shops warning people of how many have died because of irresponsible intentional and un-intentional gun ownership??
Joe Fragassi the "31 shootings since..." figure was reported by many news networks, including, Thinkprogress.org, CNN, and William Wolfe-Wylie of Postmedia News, etc.
Joe Fragassi to echo Lev's point, I think its a bit disingenuous to suggest these actions will amount to the equivalent force of a new cold war. The US has to view any gains and advantages in the region with a changing sense now that the super powers' economies are interconnected in a way never before.
Joe Fragassi the article also states that a majority of Americans still favor repealing Obamacare, yet the citation clearly says 50% of LIKELY VOTERS favor repeal...either way last tuesday was their chance to show the supposed majority dis-taste for it, and they didn't
Joe Fragassi Stephen, the tax issue hinges on the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, which would result in a 4% re-adjustment of the tax rate for those making 250, 000 and more. They've been receiving a tax CUT for a decade to spur job growth. Regardless of the fact that in the long term, revenue from this is unsustainable to pay down the deficit, the point is they've seen a reduction in taxes for years, lower incomes have not. And the GOP would be okay with keeping the cut for the wealthier side but letting the middle class cut expire. you wrote 'And never mind that the president’s anti-1% rhetoric was nothing more than a ploy to win votes from the people his policies have impoverished'...can you identify how HE's impoverished those who voted for him?
Joe Fragassi and also, the hispanics may have nothing to worry about for themselves, but they're obviously tied in with family members and people who make up the base of the immigration problem. So why wouldn't that be an issue for them in the voting booth? If they have concerns about the immigration issue, thats abviously going to come out in the voting booth. I don't think reassuring them that they'll be fine because they're citizens changes that.
Joe Fragassi Sorry I think the GOP takes some responsibility for not reaching out to those people on a personal level.Did Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan take real action to show their commitment to protecting and engaging the minority groups they hadn't in the past? Even after the 47% video, Mitt wasted an opportunity to show his commitment to 100% of the people, regardless of how many times they said he did--talk is cheap.They didn't go out of their away, and neither has the party to take these groups under their wing.Blame the lack of leadership in the GOP which created a void for extremist views to take over.Blame the tea party for hijacking a once centered GOP.On the rape comments, i agree they were just a few, but where was the party-wide denunciation?
Joe Fragassi William, the part speaking about blacks, latinos, and women voting for Obama ('the common thread was that they felt the Republicans want to take something from them or not give them enough') rests on the presumption that they drove themselves towards Obama, not that the Republican party did something to drive them away. It is probably true that some felt the GOP would disenfranchise their entitlements, but if the GOP wanted to keep them on their side, the question must be asked, why did they alienate them, leaving no alternative than to run to Obama? Why did they speak about rape for weeks, alienating women. Why did they push self-deportation, alienating hispanics? A lot of polling suggests those were the reasons, not lack of handouts.
Joe Fragassi you have to do both-provide for benefits for those who are retired and on Medicare, and invest in the next generations...It can't be just a choice of which group to invest in. you can't just neglect one whole part of our population because we can't find a way to streamline entitlements. This country made guarantees to generations past that they would be cared for, as they should. Noone is saying changes aren't needed to entitlement programs, but it would be unwise, also, to shift the entire focus of our spending onto the next generation, and leave the elderly behind. There has to be some middle ground-the reason why we haven't done yet what Paul ryan wants is because both MC and SS are widely popular
Joe Fragassi My issue with President Obama calling Sandra Fluke was this: she was defamed by an entertainer . If she had been defamed by a sitting member of congress, then I would see the reasoning, but why legitimize Limbaugh in the same level as an elected official? I don't think it was wrong to call her, because, as the President said, a woman who comes to speak her voice in Washington shouldn't be viciously insulted for doing so; but Bristol has a point-she was defamed for openly expressing her personal issues, and Bill Maher defamed her as well. No, i don't think Obama should call every person who is publicly defamed for expressing their views, but if you're going to apologize for an entertainer's remarks, then be ready to call a lot of people
Joe Fragassi Here's to hoping the U.S. learned its lessons from the Iraqi disaster it spawned over the course of the last decade! Denying the facts, the reality, as you point out in this piece, Seamus, is the difference between war and peace, life and death...the forces in Washington have had the power to dictate Iran's future since 1953, don't be fooled into thinking these same forces, and not Akmedinejad, will be the orchestrators of war now, if there is to be one.
Joe Fragassi The 'major reform' that was lacking in Obama's first term can not be attributed to the mistakes of one person here. FDR received unprecedented support when he launched his New Deal program, Obama had unprecedented resistance-to everything. I'm not saying he's blameless, but seriously, major legislation takes major agreement in Washington. And I would also reiterate the point that some of the Wall Street prosecutions never took place because the actions were not outside the bounds of legality at the time they took place-that's why he tried to change the laws. Most of it was watered down by your old friend, Congress.
Joe Fragassi I think Newt prefers debating to actual governing
on PolicyMic
Joe Fragassi please disregard the most recent two comments below, the website repeated them for some reason...start reading the comment thread at :"students are to blame..."
Joe Fragassi and by the way, we can control college costs if we, as a nation decide to boycott major universities for community colleges, which charge a much smaller amount and don't boast the kinds of numbers you posted in this article. If, as you say, it's a luxury to go to college, then they should be advertising that way. not as if you have to have a college degree, no matter what your income level, and if you can't afford it, take out loans (which, as you mention, they're now suing for). A Cadillac is a luxury car, but they don't try selling it to lower class car shoppers. If you don't have enough to finance it, they might tell you to look at a cheaper vehicle, because they admit its a LUXURY car. The data you included defeat your own argument.
Joe Fragassi And, yes, it is essential to know the employability of your major, something they wash over in college pamphlets, shadow days, and visits. College is a business, they'll sell any career path to an undecided prospect. You wrote, "Young people should realize that nothing is guaranteed simply by graduating from college. Society does not owe everyone with a diploma a job". You're right, society doesn't, but a college does owe them something. And, no, they may not be able to guarantee you a job in this changing world and bad economy, but then they shouldn't be charging so much for such a common token of what could end up being a crapshoot experience given the circumstances out there. No one to blame but ourselves? No offense, but thats awful.
Joe Fragassi ...at least a well paying job. in response to your closing paragraph, the point for most, of going to college, is to decipher what is best for you to do in life. Not every kid has their mind made up upon graduation of high school. You can't assume students are simply going to entrench themselves in a comfortable academic setting with no thought of their future endeavours. If colleges are evolving from the once spoken advertisement of 'get a good career, get a college degree, it'll set you apart" to 'you have to go to college just to compete nowadays. you can't get anywhere with just a high school degree', then they need to stop ripping people off with exorbitant costs for an admittedly average degree that does not set you apart anymore...
Joe Fragassi And, yes, it is essential to know the employability of your major, something they wash over in college pamphlets, shadow days, and visits. College is a business, they'll sell any career path to an undecided prospect. You wrote, "Young people should realize that nothing is guaranteed simply by graduating from college. Society does not owe everyone with a diploma a job". You're right, society doesn't, but a college does owe them something. And, no, they may not be able to guarantee you a job in this changing world and bad economy, but then they shouldn't be charging so much for such a common token of what could end up being a crapshoot experience given the circumstances out there. No one to blame but ourselves? No offense, but thats awful.
Joe Fragassi ...at least a well paying job. in response to your closing paragraph, the point for most, of going to college, is to decipher what is best for you to do in life. Not every kid has their mind made up upon graduation of high school. You can't assume students are simply going to entrench themselves in a comfortable academic setting with no thought of their future endeavours. If colleges are evolving from the once spoken advertisement of 'get a good career, get a college degree, it'll set you apart" to 'you have to go to college just to compete nowadays. you can't get anywhere with just a high school degree', then they need to stop ripping people off with exorbitant costs for an admittedly average degree that does not set you apart anymore...
Joe Fragassi students are to blame because they did not realize its an investment? at a time when colleges are suing them shortly after graduating for the repayment of debt? Hmm, if its an investment, shouldn't both sides see it as one that takes time to pay off? The colleges are admitting, by doing this, that the graduate should have a well paying job right off the bat. As you mentioned, most 18 year olds don't know squat about investments, therefore shouldn't the admissions counselors help you realize the decision you're making instead of blindly leading you in? And unrealistic expectations and a sense of entitlement?? when you're throwing sometimes hundreds of thousands at a university, um yeah, I'd expect something pretty grand in return...
Joe Fragassi i agree, Chris, this was the turning point of the deliberations today
Joe Fragassi actually most of the current subjects needing reform come from tradition not directly from scripture, so you might want to pay closer attention before over simplifying the problem
Joe Fragassi Did I say this Pope was definitely going to accept gay marriages? I didn't even suggest he would accept civil unions. I brought up the fact that he considered the idea and brought it to the table when he was a bishop. "Anyone assuming Pope Francis will alter certain church platforms on gay marriage or females becoming priests will be surely disappointed"...the point of this article is to suggest that the church needs to invite gays back to the table, not that Francis is pro-gay marriage...and comparing the new holy father to Hitler? Feel free, but I will not join you in that inflammatory assesment
Joe Fragassi Congress broke that resolution, and ensured that 'appropriate measures' were meaningless, when they decided that the Post Office, a solvent organization, and its funds should be established as a piggy bank for government spending. The USPS has a duty to ensure that all 'appropriate measures' are being taken to ensure the continuation of government run mail, something set up by our founding fathers, and the incomes of its employees. That is not dependent on the irresponsible whims of changing members of Congress. The Post Office kept its promise to remain solvent. Congress obviously did not keep their promise to allow the organization to continue on as a government run service, if they're now forcing it to bankruptcy.
Joe Fragassi Where did this title come from? I think its misleading...the article makes the case for football not to change, but does not portray the breeding of violence
Joe Fragassi and are all of these hellish machines intending to cause mass casualties? Why are there signs on the highways informing us how many people have died in aut-related accidents this year, in an effort to produce more caution, yet there are no signs in gun shops warning people of how many have died because of irresponsible intentional and un-intentional gun ownership??
Joe Fragassi the "31 shootings since..." figure was reported by many news networks, including, Thinkprogress.org, CNN, and William Wolfe-Wylie of Postmedia News, etc.
Joe Fragassi to echo Lev's point, I think its a bit disingenuous to suggest these actions will amount to the equivalent force of a new cold war. The US has to view any gains and advantages in the region with a changing sense now that the super powers' economies are interconnected in a way never before.
Joe Fragassi the article also states that a majority of Americans still favor repealing Obamacare, yet the citation clearly says 50% of LIKELY VOTERS favor repeal...either way last tuesday was their chance to show the supposed majority dis-taste for it, and they didn't
Joe Fragassi Stephen, the tax issue hinges on the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, which would result in a 4% re-adjustment of the tax rate for those making 250, 000 and more. They've been receiving a tax CUT for a decade to spur job growth. Regardless of the fact that in the long term, revenue from this is unsustainable to pay down the deficit, the point is they've seen a reduction in taxes for years, lower incomes have not. And the GOP would be okay with keeping the cut for the wealthier side but letting the middle class cut expire. you wrote 'And never mind that the president’s anti-1% rhetoric was nothing more than a ploy to win votes from the people his policies have impoverished'...can you identify how HE's impoverished those who voted for him?
Joe Fragassi and also, the hispanics may have nothing to worry about for themselves, but they're obviously tied in with family members and people who make up the base of the immigration problem. So why wouldn't that be an issue for them in the voting booth? If they have concerns about the immigration issue, thats abviously going to come out in the voting booth. I don't think reassuring them that they'll be fine because they're citizens changes that.
Joe Fragassi Sorry I think the GOP takes some responsibility for not reaching out to those people on a personal level.Did Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan take real action to show their commitment to protecting and engaging the minority groups they hadn't in the past? Even after the 47% video, Mitt wasted an opportunity to show his commitment to 100% of the people, regardless of how many times they said he did--talk is cheap.They didn't go out of their away, and neither has the party to take these groups under their wing.Blame the lack of leadership in the GOP which created a void for extremist views to take over.Blame the tea party for hijacking a once centered GOP.On the rape comments, i agree they were just a few, but where was the party-wide denunciation?
Joe Fragassi William, the part speaking about blacks, latinos, and women voting for Obama ('the common thread was that they felt the Republicans want to take something from them or not give them enough') rests on the presumption that they drove themselves towards Obama, not that the Republican party did something to drive them away. It is probably true that some felt the GOP would disenfranchise their entitlements, but if the GOP wanted to keep them on their side, the question must be asked, why did they alienate them, leaving no alternative than to run to Obama? Why did they speak about rape for weeks, alienating women. Why did they push self-deportation, alienating hispanics? A lot of polling suggests those were the reasons, not lack of handouts.
Joe Fragassi you have to do both-provide for benefits for those who are retired and on Medicare, and invest in the next generations...It can't be just a choice of which group to invest in. you can't just neglect one whole part of our population because we can't find a way to streamline entitlements. This country made guarantees to generations past that they would be cared for, as they should. Noone is saying changes aren't needed to entitlement programs, but it would be unwise, also, to shift the entire focus of our spending onto the next generation, and leave the elderly behind. There has to be some middle ground-the reason why we haven't done yet what Paul ryan wants is because both MC and SS are widely popular
Joe Fragassi My issue with President Obama calling Sandra Fluke was this: she was defamed by an entertainer . If she had been defamed by a sitting member of congress, then I would see the reasoning, but why legitimize Limbaugh in the same level as an elected official? I don't think it was wrong to call her, because, as the President said, a woman who comes to speak her voice in Washington shouldn't be viciously insulted for doing so; but Bristol has a point-she was defamed for openly expressing her personal issues, and Bill Maher defamed her as well. No, i don't think Obama should call every person who is publicly defamed for expressing their views, but if you're going to apologize for an entertainer's remarks, then be ready to call a lot of people
Joe Fragassi Here's to hoping the U.S. learned its lessons from the Iraqi disaster it spawned over the course of the last decade! Denying the facts, the reality, as you point out in this piece, Seamus, is the difference between war and peace, life and death...the forces in Washington have had the power to dictate Iran's future since 1953, don't be fooled into thinking these same forces, and not Akmedinejad, will be the orchestrators of war now, if there is to be one.
Joe Fragassi The 'major reform' that was lacking in Obama's first term can not be attributed to the mistakes of one person here. FDR received unprecedented support when he launched his New Deal program, Obama had unprecedented resistance-to everything. I'm not saying he's blameless, but seriously, major legislation takes major agreement in Washington. And I would also reiterate the point that some of the Wall Street prosecutions never took place because the actions were not outside the bounds of legality at the time they took place-that's why he tried to change the laws. Most of it was watered down by your old friend, Congress.
Joe Fragassi I think Newt prefers debating to actual governing