US Presidential Candidate: Free Education is Possible

As millions of college students begin preparing to enter college this fall, many have become accustom to increased tuitions year after year. Nationwide college tuitions are climbing and in some states the increase is 10 percent or more going into the fall semester. Stewart A. Alexander, a Peace and Freedom Party Candidate for President, says free education is possible through university level; a position the PFP, Peace and Freedom Party, has supported for 40 years.

Stewart A. Alexander for President
Peace and Freedom Party

August 3, 2007

As millions of college students begin preparing to enter college this fall, many have become accustom to increased tuitions year after year. Nationwide college tuitions are climbing and in some states the increase is 10 percent or more going into the fall semester. Stewart A. Alexander, a Peace and Freedom Party Candidate for President, says free education is possible through university level; a position the PFP, Peace and Freedom Party, has supported for 40 years.

In most states the tuition hikes have out-paced the rate of inflation; in some states double or three times the rate of inflation. States with the highest tuition hikes are Michigan, Illinois, California, Oklahoma, Florida and Colorado; the increase tuitions are creating a financial hardship on working class families nationwide.

The higher tuitions are placing an extreme financial burden on students nationwide; many have to work one or more jobs; working part-time or minimum wage jobs that will leave very limited available funds to pay back student loans. Many students will drop-out due to the pressures of work and trying to obtain a quality education.

Nationwide college tuitions are up 42 percent from 2002-2003 levels according to data compiled by enrollments from (The College Board); the increases are the highest gains for any decade within the last 30 years. The Democrats and Republicans in the House recently passed legislation to reduce the interest that students will have to pay on loans; however Congress and state governments resist the concept of free education and the candidates, from both parties, have offered no plans to deal with this growing crisis; a tax on the youth of America to receive a higher education.

Stewart Alexander is presenting an ambitious short term and long term plan to provide college students a free education through university level. Alexander’s plan goes beyond the next presidential term or the next decade; it’s a plan that will address the needs of students, and society, for the next 300 years.

In 2006, while running as a candidate for lieutenant governor, Alexander introduced a three year program that would have offered California students a free education by 2009. The plan was designed to reduce much of California’s wasteful spending on special interest projects; instead redirecting state funds to meet more of the human needs; to include free education for college students.

Another part of Alexander’s plan was to have many of the large corporations, doing business in California, to pay their share to educate the students that, in the future, would be the employees of those corporations.

The ramifications of that plan was to serve the needs of student in California and the nation; Alexander was proposing that college students should be tax exempt for tips received in service related jobs; such as restaurants, food service, pet grooming, and other services where tips are traditionally paid.

Now as a candidate for president, Alexander’s plan has evolved with the demands of the position. Alexander still wants corporate America to invest more to educate the working class. Alexander also wants the US government to eliminate the funds for advancing US imperialism and financing wars; instead investing in the youth of America and all those seeking a higher education.

Peace and Freedom Party has supported a Universal Basic Income since the establishment of the party in 1967. Alexander is embracing that concept; to improve the standard of living for students and to make free education a reality. The idea is also designed to elevate young people and the working class above a poverty standard of living.

Recently Stewart Alexander introduced a similar concept to assist seniors; a program that would supplement social security and provide seniors a decent standard of living. This concept of a guaranteed basic income is not being offered only to students and seniors, it is a plan for the working class; those without capital in a capitalist society.

Peace and Freedom Party is a socialist party, ballot qualified in the State of California. The party is making plans to have candidates on the ballot in other states for the 2008 General Election.

For more information search the Web for: Stewart A. Alexander; Alexander Wants Student Tips Tax Exempt; Presidential Candidate Wants to Supplement Social Security.