Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Another Reason Why It Feels Good to Win

As part of their plan to win back voters to the Democratic Party, the Dems have promised that one of their first acts will be to cut interest rates on federally backed student loans from 6.8% to 3.4%. According to this article, the Republicans really took good care of the student loan industry, and the impending transfer of party control is producing anxiety for lenders who could count on the Republicans to screw over students. One republican congressman went so far as to say (while the reps still controlled Congress), "I have all of you in my two trusted hands. At the end of the day, I believe, you'll be at least satisfied, or even perhaps even happy with the final budget bill."

Comically, the republicans also said, that cutting interest rates would not address a more fundamental problem: the rising cost of college. "The interest rates shouldn't be the major issue here. Rather, the principal — the amount of money students are forced to borrow because of skyrocketing costs — should be," said Steve Forde, a spokesman for Republicans on the House education committee. "Unfortunately, House Democrats don't see it that way and are taking a Band-Aid approach." Correct me if I am wrong, but these are the same people who wanted to give ZERO relief to students? Now all of a sudden they care how much I am shelling out for my education? Talk about hypocrisy. I am so happy the Dems are ruling the roost. I hope they can utilize their new power effectively.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Slower Traffic Keep Right

Thanksgiving was great. I tried to do some work, honestly I did, but all I really managed to do was eat obscene amounts of pumpkin pie and turkey. Although I am certainly stressed about getting ready for finals, I definitely don't feel the same panic I felt as a 1L. I love being a 2L with a job already lined up.

Anyway, on my way back from visiting my family I was forced to languish behind old people, and people who don’t understand that an open highway and clear sky practically begs a car to speed. As I passed sign after sign that says “slower traffic keep right,” I got more and more frustrated with the people who insist on doing 70mph in the left lane. At first I tried to be patient and scouted for openings in the right lane so I could weave around the dead weight, then I glared at them in the hopes they would sense my hostility and fear my road rage, and finally I resigned myself to fantasizing about ramming them, but nothing worked. I was going crazy. Who are these people, and why do they conspire to keep my odometer below 90? There is a group however, that has come up with a reasonable solution. Everyone should be given a paintball gun and when a person refuses to move over, you can shoot the offender's license plate. If a person has more than three marks on their license plate, the CHP gets to cite them. Sounds like a great idea to me.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Heading For Self Destruction

As finals are rapidly approaching I seem to be incapable of reading for more than 30-40 minutes at a time. I am so behind and yet I can’t seem to break myself of my full-blown TV addiction. I’m starting to think that maybe I do have adult ADD. How else can I explain why I have cleaned my apartment from top to bottom to avoid reading when I hate to clean? Maybe I’ll ask my abuelita to get me some unregulated, dispensed without a prescription Adderall on her next trip to TJ.

I guess the bigger question I should ask myself is why I even care about grades now that I have a cool job to look forward to for next summer, and potentially after graduation. Somehow I am just unable to purge the competitive streak I have from my personality. Something about the whole P=JD outlook (to the non-Boalt people, you get a "P" if you passed) has never resonated with me even though I don’t always get good grades. Its sick, I know.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

What A Beautiful Morning

After experiencing some bruising mornings after an election (like Nov 2004) I wasn't sure what kind of morning I was in for. As I woke up and turned on the TV today, I was greeted with some of the best news I have seen in years. Finally, Democrats won and won big. Not only do we have control of the House, but we also have a woman as the Speaker of the House. Now I just have to keep my fingers and toes crossed that Senate control will fall to the Democrats as well. Today is a good day.