Bush vs. Young Americans

The Boston Globe points out that the Bush administration has adopted many policies that work against the welfare of young Americans.

But, in fact, this administration’s record reflects a deep disregard for the interests of young Americans.

Recently, new federal rules eliminated Pell Grants for nearly 90,000 students nationwide and cut financial aid for an additional 1.2 million students. This even as family incomes keep falling and school tuitions keep rising.

As for creating strong ties between generations, this administration has harnessed every American under the age of 30 to an enormous national debt — much of it accumulated in order to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich. And remember, young people are one of the largest and fastest-growing groups without health insurance. They will breathe dirtier air, inherit degraded public lands and national parks, and bear the burdens of our continued dependence on foreign oil — all thanks to policies advanced by this administration. And don’t forget the Iraq war, where thousands of young people are fighting and dying far from their families.

The Globe goes on to point out that all Americans will receive higher Social Security benefits if we do nothing to fix it than if we adopt private investment accounts.