Funding for higher education, the war in Iraq, TennCare, a new legislative bill and his own campaign were among the topics discussed by Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. in a college press conference yesterday.
Speaking on a phone conference line from Washington D.C., Ford was in line to vote on a budget reconciliation package. This new bill is said to cut spending allowances by at least $50 billion. He said it is just another step towards benefiting the rich and taking more money away from those who need it, including students. This is just one of the reasons he says he is voting against the bill.
"This bill that we are voting on (today) will make it more expensive to take out (student) loans," Ford said. "We are raising fees and interest rates on student loans."
Ford said the solution to the student loan crisis lies within a contracted barter system between students and the nation.
"We need to arrive at a policy where tuition in exchange for national service should become a motto for the country," he said. "I'm a firm believer that kids in this country should be able to attend college for free."
Ford idealized about a nation where students could join corps to pay back their tuition. Examples given of these included one corps for doctors and another for nurses. These would enable students to practice in their fields, pay back their tuition and provide service to their country.
Melody Fly, a freshman music education major, said that this idea comes with pros and cons attached.
"I totally think it's a good idea and that it'll benefit other people, but it may be a downfall because of all of our expenses," she said.
It would allow more exposure for students, as well as a new level of focus, since students wouldn't have to worry about their college finances, Fly said.
The war in Iraq is another reason that Ford is not voting alongside Republicans for this bill.
"We're at war... the costs are exploding," he said.
He went on to call Iraq an unexpected "incubator for terrorist training" and said that President Bush should "investigate why the intelligence he gave to the country was wrong."
One idea Ford does support is placing a Character Education program in Tennessee schools.
"I think it's needed, we teach kids in school everything from how to throw a football...to mathematics," Ford said. "We need to teach children the value and importance of having integrity."
This program would emphasize the differences between right and wrong.
"You can't force kids to be nice, but you can teach them how to be humane," he said.
Ford also spoke about the TennCare problem sweeping this state. Thousands of people have been taken off the TennCare and Medicaid programs, including students.
"I wish I had a little more influence on that, I would have done things differently," he said. "If you're in college trying to make yourself better, the government shouldn't make it harder."
He also said the relationship between the drug companies and doctors are too "cozy" and that "you and I are then stuck with the bill."
Although he does say that Bill Frist has not handled this situation quite the way he feels he would have, he does say the governor is "faced with a fiscal problem."
"Senator Frist and President Bush are the authors of this legislature," he said. "I think they're wrong. For the life of me, I just don't believe we can't provide a quality package."
Ford said the government could cut the annual tax break given to millionaires from $103,000 to $90,000, which would allow them to avoid raising loan interests and cutting Medicaid programs. This tax break is more than most Tennesseans make in year. At least 95 % of this state's residents make less than $100,000 a year.
"Their tax break was bigger than 95% of the income of our state," he said. "It's entirely unfair."
The government is accountable to this nation and is responsible for upholding its promises and obligations, Ford said.
"I have every intention of living up to everything I said I'd do," he said. "If I don't, tell people not to vote for me."
A poll conducted by Harrison Hickman, a national pollster, has Ford in the lead against all opponents for U.S. Senate nomination in 2006 and all general election scenarios.
Bailey Bruckman, a sophomore education major, said its no surprise that Ford leads the poll, since he is so popular within the community.
"I think he has a high chance of winning," Bruckman said.
