Essential Workers get Free College under Whitmer

www.msn.com...

So Governor Whitmer has set up a proposal that would allow essential workers in Michigan to become eligible for a free college education.

Those eligible would be workers "like the ones staffing our hospitals and nursing homes, stocking the shelves at grocery stores, providing child care to critical infrastructure workers, manufacturing PPE, protecting public safety, picking up trash or delivering supplies

This would pay for everything from a technical degree to a bachelor' degree. If Michigan wants to reward their essential workers, that's fine by me--not that I live in Michigan. However, the issue I do have is how Whitmer proposes to pay for "Futures for Frontliners".

Details about the program, how people would apply for it or how much it would cost were not immediately released. Whitmer said the state would use federal grant money to pay the costs.

At a time when Dems and the GOP are fighting about whether or not to bailout the states--many of whom were already in the red before COVID-19 broke out-- using federal taxpayer dollars, we see an example of what certain state politicians may do with the Federal dollars. Essentially buying political favor from her constituents using other people's money from the other 49 states. Even if that money didn't ultimately come from a COVID-19 relief bill, I still have an issue when politicians make promises to give out "free stuff" to buy loyalty while using someone else's money to pay for it. Basically the M.O. for the Democratic party.

If Michiganders want their taxes to pay for it, that fine. They can at least respond at the ballot box. With her plan, however, its the rest of the country, that would be footing the bill without ever having the chance have a say in the matter. Meanwhile Whitmer scores points with those voters who are more than happy to take "free Stuff" without caring where it came from.

No, not all Michiganders are on board with this. AT ALL!

We can't fix the damn roads, but she has money for this?

And besides Detroit, what first responder/dr's. were anywhere near overwhelmed?

God she sucks.

a reply to: chiefsmom

No, she doesnt.

Grandstanding. Rallying that DNC cry.

a reply to: timequake

Increased accessibility to college is one of the few spending programs I could get behind, with a lot of conditions.

They'd have to bring down the cost of publicly funded schools. And people should get their two year with a community college.

Degrees with a good job market available.

And Ideally a way for those people to give back in some way. Maybe a two year paid internship for a public sector job or something along those lines.

This is not the time, and Michigan of all states is not in a position to have such an ambitious program while not attempting to bring down the cost of such an endeavor.

Before politicians spend, they need to think of how they're going to pay for such things... And they're clearly not by suggesting such things while we're in dire circumstances.

She's just trying to get her name out there. And she's throwing her hat in the socialist ring. The democrats are just competing now for who can be most socialist (aka tank the economy fastest) its pitiful really. These people have no new ideas. And just what is an "essential" doctor probably making good money going to college for anyways. If she really wants to help out the people stocking shelfs and running the quick e mart, she could start by lowering their taxes. But instead this proposal would almost certainly raise taxes on those workers.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I agree with a lot of, most of what you said there. The thing is, "essential worker" is such a broad term. I personally know some essential workers making an easy six figure income, they don't need free college at the tax payers expense. But on the flip side, I know some making 18k a year, and I would be all for helping them out. But like you mentioned, it would have to be under strict terms and conditions. Including starting with a two year community, to basically prove you're taking it serious and applying one's self.

I have no problem helping people out who want and deserve the help, but knowing the dems their virtue signaling will over ride any chance of responsibly distribution of funds.

a reply to: Oppositeoftruth

The reason I'm for it is because if it's done right, it would actually benefit the whole nation.

The advantages I see from it is if we could get it down to a reasonable cost for four year degrees, people would get better paying jobs, pay more taxes, and be at lest risk to use other social programs. I could also see it bringing a lot of good companies back because people are better educated, and keeping companies from leaving.

I highly doubt anything like this being done properly is possible though. Politics would muck it up. And they would spend too much for no reason.

But again, this isn't the time anyways. We need to get out of the mindset we can just spend whatever whenever without a solid plan.

a reply to: timequake

They are going to need it, pretty soon robots will be doing those jobs

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Yeah you're definitely correct on the spending too much money. I could see it now, college in Michigan would be 250k, just because they would know that the government will be floating the bill.

But, I do also believe this is an important issue, and it will be a huge undertaking. And it's probably best they pull themselves out of the crap hole they're already in first.

a reply to: Oppositeoftruth

I have family in Michigan and have a huge soft spot for it. It's a gorgeous state, and the people there are really good people.

It's rough seeing their state government screw that state over so often. But unfortunately that's a growing problem, and while I don't think it's as bad here in Virginia in as many ways, I'm definitely seeing some alarming stuff come out of the government here.

Whitmer said the state would use federal grant money to pay the costs.

Translation : Bend over American taxpayer.
Or in Liberal speak "I screwed up and made promises I can't keep so gimme money because.....uh...WE DESERVE MONEY ! "
because ...uh...

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: timequake

They are going to need it, pretty soon robots will be doing those jobs

r/
I know for sure with her podium style, vocab and
makeup skills (OK the last one's a rant), I could get
a better result from the Guv's mansion with...
one of Uncle Clive's ZX80s with a 16K RAM Pack and
a quick implementation of CPM-80. And oh yeah ,
for sure some cassette sequential to back it up. /r

Yeah, I AM that old and for its time it did the trick
for quoting tooling. This is another prime example
of [Mz] Whitmer effectively obliterating the logical
limits of the Peter Principle. [MZ on purpose=executable]

She and AOC should be both sequestered from their
present positions; and repurposed to leading a team
of scribe twits to revamp the Greed Old Deal.
Because socialism WILL be the same as it ever was...
and how can they be persuaded IT NEVER WORKS ??

I'm not in Michigan but I'm a frontliner. I'm happy to see folks got some sort of retribution. It's been so hard, I thought I could take it without a problem. I was wrong.

The last weeks were the worst. People got sick and died around me and I already felt emotionally affected but know we have to keep pushing forward.

Our governor said today parks will reopen Saturday, that's all I wanted. I feel rewarded.

Wuhan Witmer must be referring to the nurses and doctors we see dancing around on TikTok videos because they have nothing to do.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Well you're preaching to the choir there, as I too am a Virginian. And I'm appalled at some of the legislation passing through our capital. I live in a very rural area, we're a 2a sanctuary city. The bad thing is that the people up north are the ones making the laws for us, it might as well be a completely different state.

Oh boy...using Federal grant money.

This is pandering to the brain-dead 101. I will offer "free" education to all my worthy peasants. Of course I will not pay for it out of my budget, I will get the Feds to pay for it. Who pays the Feds? The worthy peasants! And if it fails to come to fruition, OMB. Too easy. Her Highness gets all the glory or she can out-source anything smelling of poo-poo while providing a Joan of Arc-esque concession. Can I be Vice-President now?

I would listen to a politician who offers "free" education but with provisos. Only certain courses of study qualify. We have a big shortage of X in the state. Free college for anyone going into X. Only applies to state schools. No free ride to Berkeley for Lesbian Interpretive Dance Theory @ $50k a year.

Will use federal grant money means...

I wanted to pay for your college degree but orange man bad and wont let me.

Note: I have no issue with college assistance I really dont, but free money no strings attached no in 95% of cases it will be wasted money.

Heck look at the student debt issue, even with strings attached much of it gets wasted on liberal arts, gender studies degrees, or wasted in another way getting a degree in a field that's overly saturated with candidates.

The entire education system in this country is screwed up. Until it starts to get fixed at the elementary level and high schools first absolutely no money should be going to higher education period. There is too much emphasis on dealing with feeling and feel good subjects when there is not enough focus on science, math, the arts and PE. The only thing I would be interested in spending money on at these levels is adding equipment and technology that the kids can use to help prepare for lifelong skill building, tech programs, and future jobs.

I am not sure when things started to change but the amount of "administrators" and teachers aids now is gross. The Education system has become so corrupted by money and politics it has really lost its way. When the majority of time that my kids spend in school is prepping for tests so the school can get high marks and in turn more funding is depressing. The absence of any direction towards life outside school is putting our country in a tough spot.

How many kids coming out of school know basic accounting and how debt works, how to grow and prepare food, how to maintain their homes? Many kids are so stressed out from taking tests all the time and the pressure to get into a "good" school that the focus on being a productive member of society has been lost.

Sorry had to vent

Yes, she does suck! She makes a big deal about what she is giving, then WHAM! She unloads more restrictions on everyone. So much for her social distancing - fist bumping and arm tapping as she is walking to the podium to announce this free tuition. a reply to: chiefsmom