Politics and Pucks

Dear Representative Rokita,

My name is Mike Brownstein, I'm a Masters student at Purdue University in Political Science who lives in West Lafayette, IN. I was unable to attend your event in Lafayette during the recess, but I wanted to make sure I stressed a point that you seem have a strong opinion about. I am speaking about the fact that you make it clear that the federal government has no business in helping students to be able to afford college.

As an out-of-state student, who has been living in Indiana full-time, this makes me furious for a few reasons that I will respectfully explain.

If you don't have any interest in defending students, you are really doing your children's generation a disservice. While I agree with you on the notion that not everyone should be entitled to a college degree, the people that are pursuing college degrees are the ones who will make a difference in our communities. They are our future corporation managers, CEOs, politicians, and others who will shape the world we live, with their leadership. By giving up on the students that work hard to get above a degree which is a barrier to entry, and discouraging people to go to school, the brain-drain problem that is persistent in Indiana will exacerbate. I, for one, do not plan on staying in Indiana when I graduate, and many other smart people I highly respect are leaving as well. It's because of politicians like yourself and others in our communities who feel it is better for them to help themselves than to help their communities.

On the topic of graduate students, I would like to remind you that we are also students. Although we hold undergraduate degrees, our commitments to the university are much greater. We do not usually have the free-time that undergraduates have. For every hour in class, I have to work about 8 hours, on top of other day-to-day expenses and responsibilities. Most of us are living in poverty, to pursue a degree because we know that a higher degree will put us in a better position for a career. Some of us have the passion to teach at the college level and further research that will help humanity. While you may see this as a waste of time in my field, I beg you to reconsider your insistence for the federal government to stay out of student affairs. I, for one, am an unfunded grad student who is working a part-time job for income. I make barely enough to pay my rent each month, because of my inability to commit more time. Loans (and whatever is left of my meager savings) cover most of my expenses because it is next to impossible for grad students to hold a full-time job and commit to a full-time graduate school load.

Your district contains Purdue University, a prestigious institution. The fact you have the gall to tell students they're not worth your time is appalling. We cannot pursue these careers when people in positions of power feel that their citizens seeking an education are a waste on the system if they cannot fund themselves. We might not have the funds to help everyone get through school, but please consider that we are doing this out of necessity of the current job market, or because we have aspirations to teaching at the college level. If you're passionate about teachers, some of us at the graduate level would appreciate if you would put some of your enthusiasm towards our livelihood. Many of us become teachers in all aspects of our education system. We also pay back our loans, and are a safer investment for not only the budget, but society as well.

Recently, in a letter to your constituency, you wrote this about the victims of the 9/11 attacks: “

They sacrificed their lives for their fellow Americans, and in doing so, they showed the world what it means to be an American. Someone who does what is right, regardless of the outcome. Someone who looks out for those in need.”

As a grad student and as potentially a future educator, I don't appreciate your insistence that we are a drain on the system.We're the people who are going to teach your kids. We're the people who are going to be your kids' business partners. Don't leave us in the dust. Not investing in college students will not only hurt your children's' education, but also deprive them of opportunities to be successful.

Thank you for your time,

   Michael Brownstein