Take a Quiz on Sen.McConnell's Position regarding Student Loans

STUDENT ASSIGNMENT: Read Senator Mitch McConnell’s opinion piece from POLITICO and then answer the questions below.

 

Obama plays politics with college graduates

By SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL | 5/7/12 9:24 PM EDT

Senate Democrats on Tuesday are due to hold a vote that’s in keeping with their election-year strategy to use the Senate not to solve problems but to produce campaign material. Rather than prevent an increase in student loan rates, they want to check a political box.

Few groups today are struggling more under the Obama economy than recent college graduates. More than half either can’t find work or can’t find work to match their skills, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Close to half, or 42 percent, of recent college graduates, a Pew Research Center study found, are back living with their parents.

The real solution, of course, is a pro-growth policy that makes it likelier businesses will hire.

But in the short-term, Republicans are ready to offer temporary relief — just as we did for millions of working Americans earlier this year through an extension of the payroll tax holiday. We don’t think Americans young or old should suffer any more than they already are as a result of President Barack Obama’s failure to turn the economy around.

Unfortunately, Democrats are more interested in helping the president win reelection than in solving the problem.

The president has been trying for weeks to convince college students that their struggles have less to do with him than with “some in Congress” who stand in his way. And for weeks, Senate Democrats have echoed his taxpayer-funded distraction and misinformation tour.

They’ll likely keep it up Tuesday by creating yet another conflict where there is none.

Fearful that young people might start to realize the reason they need relief right now is because of the Obama economy, Democrats have turned the college loan issue into yet another fake election-year fight. The goal is to distract young people from the fact that they’re suffering disproportionately under this president’s policies.

After all, the reason young people need relief right now from an interest rate spike that Democrat leaders approved five years ago is because most of them can’t find good jobs in the first place.

QUESTIONS:

1.      According to Mitch McConnell, what actions are the administration taking to  hinder Congress from preventing an increase in student loan rates?

2.      What is Mitch McConnell’s position on the rate of interest that banks are currently charging for student college loans?

3.       According to Mitch McConnell what is the connection between job growth and lower student loan interest rates?

4.      Did Mitch McConnell say he is in favor of temporarily lowering student interest rates?  If not, what temporarily relief is he offering?

5.      What pro-business growth policies is Mitch McConnell recommending and how quickly can you expect relief from college loan debts?

6.      What is Mitch McConnell’s position on lowering tuition costs or on helping low income students get a college education?

7.      Which paragraph above highlights the Republican vision for more affordable, accessible higher educational opportunities in America?

8,   Aside from blaming President Obama for the economy and for waging politics, what of substance is Mitch McConnell saying?