On the Thursday edition of Your World with Neil Cavuto, an organizer of the “Million Student March” went up against the titular host to defend her initiative. Keely Mullen, a self-proclaimed working-class citizen, leads a movement that demands three things for college students: (1) free tuition at all public colleges; (2) cancellation of all student debt; and (3) minimum wage of $15/hour (or more) for all campus employees.
Sadly, Mullen walked into this discussion unprepared. She didn’t pose any coherent argument for why the top 1 percent of earners should pay for these demands. By the time the segment completed, Cavuto made it sound like Mullen wanted the top percent to hand over 90 percent of their income to the government. This was a painful interview to witness and only added fuel to the movement against this movement.
Among the voices speaking out against the “Million Student March” is James Erickson, whose Twitter profile indicates that he is a U.S. Marine, a soccer coach, and a national champion (of some sort). Erickson holds no empathy for the college students who have joined the movement. His implication, of course, is that there are other ways to pay for college than straight-up student loans. Military members often sign up for more than a decade of service in order to pay their way. Erickson tweeted this selfie from his own 25-mile march in (presumably) harsh terrain.
I wanted money for school, so I marched too… #millionstudentmarch This one was about 25 miles… #USMC pic.twitter.com/bS6QN0KDtb
— Say Hi James (@SayHiJames) November 12, 2015
The Million Student March holds lofty goals. Everyone would dig free education, but paying for that type of government program is another matter. On one side of this heated argument, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders supports the initiative.
If we could bail out Wall Street, we can make sure every American has access to public colleges regardless of income. #MillionStudentMarch
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 12, 2015
However, Erickson’s Twitter replies indicate a strong current in the other direction, but there’s some wavering back and forth in this mix, as well.
https://twitter.com/Bennettruth/status/664972665799622656
@SayHiJames drops mic…….
— Angela G⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ (@Iloveperfumeso) November 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/markaprovost/status/664966484989489152
https://twitter.com/KyeGnosis/status/664994201700986880
.@SayHiJames I went to school first, then served under LOAN REPAYMENT for five years in the @USArmyReserve then stayed in 13 more! #Hooah!
— Montgomery Granger (@mjgranger1) November 13, 2015
@SayHiJames @DeepSouthProud @puj_rit There's a big difference between those that earn respect and those that feel they're entitled to it.
— Lalapuj (@lalapuj) November 13, 2015
Here’s more from Erickson himself, who appears a bit conflicted, as well.
I almost agree with the #MillionStudentMarch… I mean, someone clearly has taught them the wrong meaning of Free Market System.
— Say Hi James (@SayHiJames) November 12, 2015