I can think of few things that are a bigger slap in the face to Veterans than this crazy idea for us to pay for someone else’s college loans.
I was 19 years old, and I wanted to go to college. My family could not afford the costs. I needed some other way. Then I heard of “The GI Bill.”
Here was the deal: Go into the military, and IF you survive four years, we will give you a free education at the end. This sounded like a pretty good deal.
I ignored the IF part.
I signed the contract and went in the Navy/Marine Corps, (you know those people that dress up like a pickle, live in the woods, eat bushes and walk everywhere!). I was a Hospital Corpsman, (think “combat medic” with three times the training).
This was during the Vietnam war, but I made the bet anyway. I nearly did not win the bet. Shortly after I healed, I was honorably discharged. I almost immediately went to Ohio State, where the government sent me a monthly stipend.
I graduated debt-free.
Now Joe Biden wants to make me out to be a fool! I should have gone to college and waited for the American taxpayer to fund the cost.
This is not a political issue as the Democrats are trying to make it. This is a “contract” issue. Plain and simple!
I signed a contract, lived up to the contract, (getting shot in the process), and reaped the benefits. Now you want me to pay for a contract I did NOT sign. Here’s a bold idea …YOU SIGNED IT … YOU PAY FOR IT.
The worst part is these students have almost never done ANYTHING for their country. Everything they have done was to benefit THEM.
Don’t try to convince the millions of veterans who went to college on the GI bill, that they were foolish to risk their lives for a college degree. Instead, teach this latest group of children that they need to honor their decisions, and the signature on their contract. YOU SIGNED IT … YOU PAY FOR IT.
We have a glorious Statue of Liberty in New York. It represents the best of our freedoms here in America. We need an equally gorgeous Statue of Responsibility in San Francisco harbor.
Because without responsibility … you will surely lose your liberty.
My final admonition, to today’s young college graduate, is very simple … grow up!
Maxwell C. Seymour
Ashtabula
