September 18, 2014
Every time I read or hear about Republican Rand Paul’s current political campaign for the 2016 election, all I can remember is the first time I drove on the interstate. I careened in and out of lanes at 35 miles per hour as every other vehicle on the road honked and swerved in a desperate attempt to avoid what probably looked like reckless driving.
Rand Paul has managed to do the same with his political policies. The most recent example is his change of view on the terror group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria). On June 19, he published an opinion piece entitled, “America Shouldn’t Choose Sides in Iraq’s Civil War,”in which he chastised President Obama for putting “boots on the ground” and emphasized his disapproval of the airstrikes of which many Americans are in favor. On a later day, according to Daniel Greenfield, he admitted openly that he had the same strategy for tackling ISIS as Obama does.
Like my Subaru on the highway, reckless policies have the power to hit everyone. Even Hamilton can feel the effect of a political vision casting around for a way to stand out. For instance, Rand Paul’s plan to entirely abolish the US Department of Education would could be detrimental to future and current students on the Hill alike. What is billed as an attempt to decentralize educational policies would have a real effect on who would be able to attend Hamilton.
The Department of Education works to improve the public education system, provide financial aid, and forgive student loans. Therefore, students unable to afford Hamilton College’s $240,000 four-year fee may find themselves at a severe disadvantage. And those who remain would find themselves in a less diverse environment.
The inability of some academically talented but less wealthy students to attend Hamilton would lower the overall quality of the student body. The Office of Admissions would be forced to fill the spots of lower income students with less deserving but wealthier ones. Therefore, the value of a Hamilton degree would decrease, which would hurt the ability of graduates to find prestigious internships and jobs.
Furthermore, by giving less wealthy students the chance to study at top schools like Hamilton, the ED helps foster a national culture of equality and economic mobility.
According to the College Board, educated individuals tend to smoke less, commit fewer crimes, and volunteer more. Thus, a more highly educated society is in everyone’s best interest and the ED helps make this goal a reality by increasing the number of citizens who can obtain higher education.
Consequently, Rand Paul’s policies, though unique, could radically alter the Hamilton community and other institutions.
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