Student movement in Chile

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Larry B.
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Student movement in Chile

#1 Post by Larry B. » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:25 am

So, today there's a general strike here, which could extend tomorrow. Most likely not everyone is going to strike... it's 9am here and most services are working decently.

Why the strike?

Because of the education system. The students from high-school and universities have been demonstrating for around 3 months, demanding free and quality public education. College education in Chile is the second most expensive in the world, second only to the US. Basically, if your parents can't afford to pay for college, you're screwed. You can take a loan in any bank, with the State as guaranty, but interests will fuck you up, specially because it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get a job, you just have to start paying.

A couple of months ago, the government said that it would continue guaranteeing the people's right to education, by lowering interests rates and shit like that. But still, they were just going to compensate that lower interest rate by paying the difference to the banks with our tax money. I don't want my taxes to increase some bankers indescribable wealth, I want them to fund somebody's education.

I was lucky that my parents could afford some of my education. Many people aren't that lucky and they are left with two choices: not study; or go into debt, not knowing if they will be able to ever pay it. We're talking about people whose parents earn the minimum monthly wage (around USD 350) having to go into a debt of around USD 7,500 per annum. Even if your parents earn a decent wage of around USD 2,000 per month (which is above the average of a middle class wage), it's a goddamn high debt.

BTW, most of our politicians here are professionals who obtained their degree in a time when education was actually free. The Chilean president studied for free. And, all of a sudden, they discover that free education simply doesn't work. They actually began with the whole "socialism is evil" speech, but luckily they stopped.

In my opinion, free education is the only way to go. This country has money. This country is the most unequal country on Earth. Some big companies are actually for a raise in taxes in order to improve that situation, but there are too many people trying to steal that shit and just improve their personal wealth and/or their businesses.

Chile's constitution guarantees the right of education. Giving credit is not a guarantee of that right. What a bunch of shit, what a ripoff.

Hokahey
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Re: Student movement in Chile

#2 Post by Hokahey » Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:02 am

Larry B. wrote:So, today there's a general strike here, which could extend tomorrow. Most likely not everyone is going to strike... it's 9am here and most services are working decently.

Why the strike?

Because of the education system. The students from high-school and universities have been demonstrating for around 3 months, demanding free and quality public education. College education in Chile is the second most expensive in the world, second only to the US. Basically, if your parents can't afford to pay for college, you're screwed. You can take a loan in any bank, with the State as guaranty, but interests will fuck you up, specially because it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get a job, you just have to start paying.

A couple of months ago, the government said that it would continue guaranteeing the people's right to education, by lowering interests rates and shit like that. But still, they were just going to compensate that lower interest rate by paying the difference to the banks with our tax money. I don't want my taxes to increase some bankers indescribable wealth, I want them to fund somebody's education.

I was lucky that my parents could afford some of my education. Many people aren't that lucky and they are left with two choices: not study; or go into debt, not knowing if they will be able to ever pay it. We're talking about people whose parents earn the minimum monthly wage (around USD 350) having to go into a debt of around USD 7,500 per annum. Even if your parents earn a decent wage of around USD 2,000 per month (which is above the average of a middle class wage), it's a goddamn high debt.

BTW, most of our politicians here are professionals who obtained their degree in a time when education was actually free. The Chilean president studied for free. And, all of a sudden, they discover that free education simply doesn't work. They actually began with the whole "socialism is evil" speech, but luckily they stopped.

In my opinion, free education is the only way to go. This country has money. This country is the most unequal country on Earth. Some big companies are actually for a raise in taxes in order to improve that situation, but there are too many people trying to steal that shit and just improve their personal wealth and/or their businesses.

Chile's constitution guarantees the right of education. Giving credit is not a guarantee of that right. What a bunch of shit, what a ripoff.
Chile

Budget: revenues: $40.97 billion
expenditures: $45.07 billion (2010 est.)

Where is the money is supposed to come from to pay for this?

You're in the red.

The only option is to increase taxes. Rob from Peterto give Paul a handout.

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Larry B.
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Re: Student movement in Chile

#3 Post by Larry B. » Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:31 am

hokahey wrote:The only option is to increase taxes.
:nod:

That's the idea...

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Hype
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Re: Student movement in Chile

#4 Post by Hype » Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:32 am

Rob from Peterto give Paul a handout.
Paul's Peter's abused and neglected child.

Hokahey
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Re: Student movement in Chile

#5 Post by Hokahey » Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:21 am

Adurentibus Spina wrote:
Rob from Peterto give Paul a handout.
Paul's Peter's abused and neglected child.
Or his spoiled, fat, lazy uncle.

I suppose that's the debate though isn't it?

I don't know enough about Chile to have a strong opinion on this.

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