Page 6 Stop With a vote 227-203, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a series of budget cuts aiming to reduce the federal budget deficit on October 26. Rather than cutting over-budgeted programs such as the military, these cuts attack social programs that have been used to benefit working people. Educational aid is being cut by an average of two thirds. Over the next five years, $2O billion of the current $3l billion is being axed by the Republican-led house. Due to these “sacrifices,” the College Work Study program will be eliminated. So will Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (i.e. grants for working-class people who can not afford schooling), Peikins Student Loans, and Student Interest Exemption on Student Loans. How does this affect you, the student? This would mean tuition hikes of up to SO percent and a rise in student debt of about 20 percent. If it isn’t hard enough to afford school now, it has to be harder. If you want plain numbers, this means that in-state students could be paying $15,000 instead of the current (approximately) $lO,OOO a year. Out-of-state students could be paying as much as $25-30,000! What does this do? Maybe it does balance the budget deficit created by the Cold War. What these cuts also accomplish is making it more difficult for working-class citizens to go to school. Weekly advice with... Amy and Cathy Dear Amy and Cathy, I write poetry dealing primarily with sexual issues. Lately, I have found myself undergoing severe criticism regarding the validity of this subject matter. Do you think my work is valid? Sexually Frustrated Dear Sexually Frustrated, As writers ourselves, we too occasionally suffer from the disease we like to call criticitis (otherwise known as severe pains in the butt). We just want you to know, we're here for you. The most helpful thing we have learned in our extensive therapy is the critics got their name for a reason. (Note: they are NOT called ego inflators!) See our point? Besides, if you are under this much scrutiny, you must be doing something right. Who knows, you could be the next Hugh Heffner. We say, the next time someone bad mouths you work, tell them "Sure, I'll modify my work." Then, go out and write the raunchiest, most explicit poem you could possibly imagine (If you need some inspiration, we know some willing test subjects). Anyway, until you're rich and famous, and can tell them all where to go, just be sure to take your antibiotics. And remember, the day sex becomes an invalid subject matter, we're all out of a job. Just keep banging away. We're sure it'll all work out P.S. Can we examine your research notes? to msy aims) ta®w wto® 9® my aa to? Then The Collegian is just the place for you. The Editor encourages letters on news coverage, content and University affairs. Mail letters to The Collegian or drop in our mailbox in the SGA suite. All letters must include the name and phone number of the author for verification, Amy and Cathy Opinion Cuts! -Adam Levenstein It does not stop at educational funding - Medicare must be cut as well. From the program benefitting senior citizens, $270 billion is being cut. On the average, it costs $36,000 a year to house someone in nursing home. Medicare currently pays for half. For someone who has no one willing to take care of them, $lB,OOO is quite a bit. Imagine if public assistance is reduced! Apparently it is the Republican idea that those people no longer able to take care of themselves should be left to die. Medicare is not reliance on the government. Simply because an older person can no longer live by himself/herself does not mean they should be left to starve to death. A civilized culture should not do this. Also in the Republican agenda is the reduction of tax breaks to the working poor. These people are not the people who, according to many congressmen, “eat off the welfare system,” these people are people who work as much as they can, yet are still below the poverty level. In tax cuts, $245 billion are going to the wealthy. America cannot scapegoat working people for the ills of this country, workers and farmers work hard, yet receive very little. These cuts go to the wealthy, who already have what they need and more to survive. Working people in this country are taking the blame for the actions of the ruling rich in the government. It is time, in front of this slap to the face for working people, for the people to stand up and say, “Workers - Unite!” Dear Amy and Cathy, One of my friends is dating multiple girls and doesn't know if he should settle down with one of them or keep dating all of them. What should he do? Dear Anonymously Concerned, Your question immediately calls to mind that old cliche: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. However, we also realize that two in the bush is generally more fun. We think that if your friend decides to settle down and needs help choosing one girl - we say he should be as obnoxious as possible to all of them. He should stay with the one who is willing to put up with his crap - she's the one in love. But if he decides to keep dating them all, we would just like to remind him that venereal diseases are the gifts that keep on giving - so keep it wrapped. We know the PC thing for us to say is that what he is doing is morally wrong and that he should find a nice girl and settle down into a meaningful relationship. Blah, blah, blah. But we refuse to be hypocrites (we've all done it - or at least most of it). So, instead, we'll just wish you luck and promise to light a candle for you in church this Sunday. Anonymously Concerned Amy and Cathy Thursday, November 2,1995 The Behrend College Collegian Pubfehed weekly by the students of The Pennsylvania state University at Erie. The Behrend College Editor in Chief Jennifer V. Colvin Business Manager Jennifer Heilman Hews Editor Danielle Murphy Sports Editor Nick Ztllovtch Assistant Sports Editor Julie Stocker Entertainment Editor Joe Moitillo Photography Editors Sheila Bickei Joe Stiller Opinion Editor R Cart CampbeiMti Advertising Manager viererraan ouu (jopy Editor Michelle Gruendl Advisor Mi*. Cathy Mester Artwork Brad Martin uoiiipipii wUnft «yan vihki Clause, Mike Coursey, Priya Daugherty, Eddie Edwards, Doreen Foutz, Brian Gregory, Ericha Hagenbuch, Bryan Harkins. Adria Kovafy, Stew landon, Adam MOT iHZQQ, %/QfQflQ Rethage, John Rossomando, Joe Ryan, Sean Siekkinen, Angie Yu. Photographers: Dave Boulos, Ccdaen Gritzen, Bob Misulich, Dan Murray, Chris Nelson, Dan Nowicki. Postal Information: The Collegian is published weekly by the students of The Pennsylvania State University id Erie, The Behrend College; First Floor, The J. Elmer Reed Union Building. Station Road, Erie, PA 16563. 814-898-6468 Or 814-898-6019 lax. ISSN 1071-9288 Latter Policy: The Collegian encourages letters on news coverage, editorial cement and University affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signeo oy no moretnan two persons. Letters should be no longer than 400 woros. Letters snouta include the semester standing and major of die writer. Ml letters should provide the address and phone number of the