[StBernard] Expanding higher ed access for low income students

[Westley Annis]

Wendy,

I'm sorry, but I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree.  I believe
the programs we currently have in place on the state and federal levels are
more than enough to give anyone the opportunity to both "start" and succeed
in the state, in this country.   I don't believe, nor will I EVER believe in
the liberal concept of "just giving it away."  That is not the role of
government, nor was it ever the intention of our nation's founding fathers
for our government to become the socialist-welfare government it has become.

Also, as a matter of correction, I am the son of retired mailman, my late
mother was a housewife (she never worked), we lived (or survived better
describes it) on a modest income, I attended public schools all my childhood
and graduated from Chalmette High School in 1979.  My family was never
involved in politics so I had no connections nor did I develop any on my
own.  In fact, while attending Loyola I usually avoided conversation where
it might turn to "where I was from" so I would not have to tell anyone I was
from "the parish." ---- today I look back and see that was silly, but when
you're young and attending college with kids from prominent families (who
owned businesses and I might ask for a job one day), trust me when I say
"image" definitely mattered.  So yes, I did not want to talk about my being
from St. Bernard.  As it turned out, it didn't make a difference anyway and
still had to fend for myself upon graduating from Loyola.

Anyways, Wendy what I strong recommend is that you and everyone watch Will
Smith's latest movie, "The Pursuit of Happiness."  After seeing that movie -
and the story of Chris Gardner (a black man who came from and came up with
NOTHING) - it makes a powerful argument that any person in this country,
even from its lowest depths - can raise themselves up and make something of
themselves - and without a lick of help from the government.

John Scurich