I can imagine that Jessica Robinson’s job is much like working in the writers’ room at a late-night chat fest. She msut laugh and laugh as she types these e-mail delusions to the press.

To pretend that MoHELA’s problem have nothing to do with taking millions of dollars out of their portfolio is laughable–if not foolish.

But factual.

Suzy, if you knew anything about financial markets you would know that the assets sold couldn’t have been sold at a more opportune time. Selling off immediately prior to a big, I mean HUGE meltdown is about as close to perfect timing as one could achieve. The fact is, if the entire portfolio were still intact, the losses Mohela is experience would just be magnified. To think anything other is foolish.

So, Amazed: how did Blunt know the “meltdown” was about to occur?

Amazed, there is one enormous flaw in your argument. Even assuming those securities were sold immediately prior to a huge “meltdown”, look at where those funds went. THEY DIDN’T ALL GO BACK IN MOHELA. Regardless of how financially saavy you are suggesting our Governor is, the problem lies in the fact that a chunk of the money was removed from MOHELA’S coffers, much like the Republicans want to do with Social Security funding. Ordinary people aren’t mad Blunt pulled the money out of some securities, they’re mad because he took a chunk of the money away from a well-funded plan for kids’ educations and inserted it into riduculous pet projects pushed by his dirty constituents. Think next time. You’re probably the same guy that thinks Democrats will expand government after 8 years of unprecedented spending and debt. Just think. The Republican Party you loved in the 80’s doesn’t exist anymore. They may not tax, but they love to spend.

What has been done to MOHELA flies in the face of its mission and every family with a college-bound child should be outraged. If you remember, MOHELA’s own consultant advised against the asset sale, predicting exactly what is happening now. You should also remember that MOHELA board members who weren’t on board with Blunt’s plan were replaced. MOHELA administrators who spoke against the plan to sell assets were ousted. Now, the chickens have come home to roost and all you Blunt supporters can only say that it would have happened anyway.

Let me remind you one last fact: MOHELA was the best student loan agency in the nation, well respected and solvent. It was the perfect example of how a student loan agency was suppose to treat students and encourage higher education. Now, thanks to Blunt and company, it is not.

Slow down folks. I never stated that it was a great idea or a terrible idea to sell the securities and use the proceeds to invest in higher education. I was just debunking Suzy’s suggestion that taking money out of a portfolio at an almost perfect time hurts the portfolio.

Blunt never had a clue that a meltdown just as millions of other investors had no clue.

Did the funds not go to higher education facilities throughout the state? The same institutions that we constantly hear are in dire need of funding?

Every family with a college bound student shouldn’t be looking at an outside entity to provide that student the opportunity to attend college. If you want a college education, work, work, and a little more work is more than adequate enough to get a kid through 4 years at any of the state schools in Missouri. It is even more affordable if you knock out all the piddly pre-reqs at a JUCO. Jeez louise people where is your individual responsibility?

Amazed-

I am a lawyer. I grew up in St. Louis and eventually acheived my goal of graduating from undergrad and a wonderful law school in this City. My family was uneducated - and relatively poor. While my FAFSA application led to a loan in the maximum amount MoHELA could grant at the time, $18,500 per year, I still couldn’t afford law school, even with a nearly full time job. Tuition and housing totaled around $36K per year. I had to borrow money from nearly every person I could. I had to swallow my pride and even ask for money from more distant relatives and friends. MoHELA helped, and I couldn’t have recieved a higher degree without it, but it wasn’t enough. My family was wanting, but certainly wasn’t indigent by today’s standards.

You say the parents should “work, work” etc. - but what if they don’t - or don’t have the means. Should the child be penalized because the parent didn’t provide everything for the child’s future? Call social welfare systems “outside entities” or whatever you will, but please do not attempt to marginalize their purpose or effectiveness.

I hate to attempt to classify you, but I am guessing the availability of student loans didn’t determine whether you went to college. Let’s be honest. Were you to stand in the shoes of one less fortunate, I imagine you would be less callous about our Governor’s lackluster performance. The massive flaw in your argument this time is that you are assessing the “individual responsibility” of the parent rather than that of the child who is struggling to obtain a decent education. Don’t ignore this. I expect a response.

really,

Congrats on you achievement. Let me counter a few of you beliefs about me. I attended STL Public schools until my sophmore year of high school. I lived in one of the most run down areas of North St. Louis at that time. My parents weren’t rich by any means. When I graduated high school, I went to one of our fine state schools and get this, payed my own way completely.

I wasn’t referring to the parents when I mentioned work. I was referring to the individual wanting to attend college. Even if a college student were to attend class and study for a total of 8 hours a day, which we all know most do not, that leaves 16 hours. You can’t tell me that a person can’t find a way to make some money during that 16 hours. I worked an average of 30 hrs a week while school was in and 60-80 hrs a week during the summers. It can be done without help from outside entities.

As to your own situation, I’m going to assume you attend WashU or Slu Law. Both great schools with great price tags. I can guarantee you there are less expensive routes to earning a law degree. In fact, some of my friends from school received their undergrad in Cape and went on to law degrees at MU, SIUC, and various schools in their respective home states.

Where in the rulebook does it state that one has to complete school in a 4-5 year span? Why not take 6 or 7 and pay as you go with money you earn? My wife’s Master’s was paid for in cash and it took her about 1 semester more to get there than was expected. But she did it without debt and without any outside source to pay for it. Amazing huh?

Lastly, reallyamazed, the massive flaw in your last post is you misunderstood a sentence in my last post. The one that reads, “If YOU want a college education, work, work, and a little more work is enough to get a kid through college.” The key word is YOU. If YOU want a college education, work will get you one with a little sweat along the way.

Cranky this morning, aren’t we Suze. Your hatred has spilled over.

Let me explain slooooowwwwllly so that you may understand. If the assets had not been sold, the problems MOHELA is experiencing would still be present, only with much, much bigger losses. Get it?

You are linking the sale of assets to the current troubles and the two are not related.