Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 Source: Daily Herald (IL) Copyright: 2004 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Author: Jason Turuc, http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Jason+Turuc WHAT DOES EDUCATION FOR ALL REALLY MEAN? I hear the candidates talking about college for all; I was wondering if this means they don't support the current laws that refuse financial aid to students caught smoking marijuana. I don't think that should stop anyone from getting an education. Millions of people smoke marijuana, more than anyone thinks - parents, grandparents, bosses, co-workers and anyone in between. I can safely say that for every profession, every race, every group of people, and even someone you know has smoked or still does smoke marijuana. Our government should not punish people who are trying to make better lives for themselves by not giving them the chance to go to school because they have in the past smoked or currently smoke marijuana. What will happen in the long run is we will end up with poorer and less-educated people. Sending them into a downward spiral. Once again, these drug-war tactics result in causing more harm than good. This is working backward and will always have a negative effect on this nation. Life is full of crossroads, and sometimes people take the wrong path. With this law in effect, many Americans are forced to take the wrong path, leading them away from education. Forcing them toward the path of the unknown, which leads nowhere. Is this fair? This is not what this country was built upon! I would like to know what each of the candidates plans to do about this, and if they are including theses people in their plan for education for all? Jason Turuc Schaumburg - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake