Why so much support for Ron Paul at UTEP?

I ask, as evidenced by The Prospector's recent poll, why do UTEP students support Ron Paul? In the last issue, with the student interviews, why did students respond with favoring Ron Paul? The question was who should be the nominee, NOT who do you think will win? Many students said that Ron Paul was going to win, because he has very strong advertising. What does that have to do with the question who SHOULD be the nominee?

As far as favoring Ron Paul in general, why is there so much support at UTEP for him? As a side note, as Ron Paul being someone who likes to talk about downsizing government and cutting spending, the Washington Post stated that "Paul charged taxpayers nearly $52,000 on the more expensive first class flight tickets, or $27,621 more than the average Continental airfare for the flights between Washington and Houston, according to the AP's review of his congressional expenses and average airfares compiled by the Department of Transportation."

Now to be fair, his staff said he prefers first class because a congressman's schedule changes so much and the cheaper tickets don't allow for rescheduling but it turns out, according to the article, that "few schedule changes were necessary." So it would still make sense for him to cancel a few flights and save over $20,000, no?

 Also he wants to CUT STUDENT LOANS and strip the Department of Education to mere data collectors.

CNN stated, "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Sunday his proposed plan to phase out federal student loans would lower the costs of a college education, making it more affordable for those wanting to attend."

The Texas congressman, who is making his third presidential bid, said federally-funded education assistance raises the price of education while not improving the caliber, a cycle that will "backfire."

Paul's plan would eliminate the Department of Education, but keep the features that handle student loans for the time being, ensuring there are no cuts to those currently receiving assistance or who will in the near future.

In a USA Today editorial, Paul said eventually transitioning away from government-backed student aid would "give us better educational opportunities at a better price."

In an interview with CNN, Paul said "why should people who are laborers who never get to go to college, why should they be taxed to send some of us through college? So it's not even a fair system when it works. But obviously it doesn't work and that's why it's coming to an end."

Paul has long advocated for cuts in spending and the national debt, while calling for numerous government agencies to shut their doors and a renewed emphasis on individual responsibility. His responsibility platform also extends to education, he said.

"The responsibility is on the individual and the family to take care of their needs, not the federal bureaucracy. It just doesn't work," Paul said.

When asked if he would agree that some people in the United States "need federal help," Paul told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley that there are "always some needs, the market isn't perfect."

"It will not be perfect, but what we have now is this catastrophic mistake where people have a pseudo education and no jobs," Paul said. "We've indentured them."

Paul's current plan would favor extremely wealthy families, the middle class would struggle, and the poor would find it extremely difficult to go to a four-year university, making many opt for only community college or a technical school. Community college and technical schools are great institutions, but what if I don't want to be a mechanic or welder? What if I want to study engineering instead and my parents hardly have money to put on the table?

Knowing this, I think Ron Paul is the worst candidate for college students to consider. He has some good ideas and he does have strong arguments, but his "cure" for the country's ills are too aggressive. Mr. Paul wants to throw under the bus those who depend on work-study and financial aid in grants and loans. Mr. Paul KNOWS all the statistics and how many people depend on it. His expectations are too high. If he wants to do what he says, it is a process that would take decades to implement, and from what I have read, he would do it right away, or at least try to.

But its ok for those in college that still support him. As Penn from Penn and Teller said on Big Think, I will defend your right to say whatever you want to say, but I will then say you're wrong and then give reasons why I think you are wrong, I'm paraphrasing.

Ron Paul will do, I suppose, it's only the future of every college student, whatevs. Some have to suffer for the whole to thrive, I guess.

In short this is how I interpret Mr. Paul's words: Instead of finding a way to give students easier access to a university, lets make it harder in the SHORT TERM, and hope that in the FUTURE, universities and the states take pity on the young and un-college educated.

VOTE RON PAUL 2012! If you don't want loans, grants, or workstudy...

P.S. I applaud the Prospector for the courage to bring up the issue of athletics and education and how it relates to UTEP.

 - Reyes Espinoza, senior double major in theatre performance and philosophy