Muskego Supporters, Detractors of Paul Ryan Present Generational Differences

While the Paul Ryan appearance in Muskego on Thursday was perhaps one of the least eventful he's seen in a while (and I'm proud of our city for that), it wasn't without its debate, which is also a good thing.

I have often learned more about my own beliefs when I hear from - no, listen to - those of others I would consider in opposition. So I believe that Thursday's listening session was a success based on that.

Matt Lowe, who is a Muskego resident, asked the congressman what he had to say to his plan that would cut funding to student grants and loan programs.  Lowe indicated he had received $5,500 in Pell Grants, which could see cuts in the coming years.

Ryan had explained that what he found was that whenever additional funding was provided to these programs, colleges and universities would hike their tuition.  Ryan saw that as putting money into 'funding inflation,' and said at some point they could not continue to keep throwing money into them.

Catching up with Lowe after the presentation, he said the congressman's response was not surprising, as he has asked the question before.

"What I have yet to see from Ryan is the numbers to support his statement, as I feel there's any causation between the two."

Ryan supporters chimed into the discussion, explaining their own stories of working through college to pay tuition, or just dealing with a mass of student loan debt once they graduated.

So, the question debated became whether it was a right to receive a college education, and if so, what role government should play?

While Lowe argued that without the funding he could not attend UW-Waukesha, where the tuition is $5500 per year because he has also been struggling with unemployment, others called it an excuse, as many who have been looking to hire people can't get applicants.

"I've had an open position for three months, and only one application," said one business owner, who requested to have her name withheld.  "I spend $400 in advertising, and all of these people who state they can't find a job don't apply."

Keith Hammitt, whose son is now in graduate school, said he's gotten a "load of debt, but he's working to pay it off while going to school.  The government doesn't owe him."

While Lowe said at one point he felt the government should pay tuition for any college student that posted a 3.0 grade point average, he retracted the statement.

However, the philosophical difference between him and another woman he was debating with he admitted was that he saw college education as a right, whereas others saw it as a privilege for some and not for others.

My daughter and I are just about to wade into those waters.  I had student loans and graduated with a letter about repaying them.  However, that was 30 years ago, and many, many thousands of dollars earlier.  Madison is looking like $10,000 per year for her, which in many ways is a bargain.  Other schools just over the border multiply that number by at least twice.  Will I feel the lure to call it a right for her?

My leanings are right, I have stated before.  I have a resistance to just say I am owed something by the government.  However education is getting extraordinarily expensive, and the costs to repay will likely take far longer than they did went I went into the world. I'd hate to think at some point it's a minority that attempts college, and the US sees a brain drain.

However, I don't see that equal opportunity should ever ensure equal outcome, and no one is ever owed a bachelor's degree, especially when it may take no effort at all to earn one.  If that's my age talking, then so be it.