January 21, 2008
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College Tuition
I posted an article link in my photoblog about presidential candidate Ron Paul.
Someone mentioned that he had received money for his president run from white supremacist groups. Then another person said they would accept money from the KKK to pay for his/her college.
There are many groups out there that you might find offensive. It might be a white supremacist group. It might be a gay rights group. It might be a pro-life group.
Would you accept a full ride college scholarship from a group who had views that you thought were wrong?
Comments (103)
No that would make you a hypocrite.
no.
yes. taking money away from them means they can’t spend it on anything to spread their views
No
No
The only reason I would ever take money from such a reprehensible group would be if I could use it to fright against them with. But allowing them to put me through school is simply my allowing myself to be part of a public relations campaign for them. “See we are not so bad, we send kids to college”
No, it wouldn’t sit well with my conscience.
Hell no! I felt guilty about applying for a scholarship from a crazy but harmless organization. It believed in preserving the English language so much that it bordered on insanity.
nope. but then, i also refuse to take out student loans or let my parents pay for my college — why in the world would i let some group i’m morally opposed to give me money? whether it’s a loan or a gift, you’re still indebted to these people.
yes, just to piss people off.
No, I would not. That would leave me beholding to a group I could not support. Plus it always comes back to haunt you later on in life.
No, definitely no
well I wouldn’t apply for a scholarship from a group that had views I found reprehensible in the first place.
But let’s say, hypothetically, they were just throw this money at me, then yes. I would never change the things I did or thought or said because of it. The worst they could do would be revoking the scholarship so then you’re just back where you started. College is ridiculously expensive, and I’m sure my family would love me a lot more if I got a full ride scholarship.
NO
NO WAY!!!! My character is more important to me.
No… because what would they expect in return? At the very least they would want me to compromise my principals.
if the KKK tried that I would reject them but since they wouldn’t never do that I’m not concerned
interseting point of view….. but lets see…. life is a dog eat dog world. so i’d honestly say yes. just don’t let anyone know.
I don’t think I would.. But maybe. Depends how much I disagreed with the group’s views.
Nope. Or maybe, yes, on second thought. They have to spend the money on something, so why not take it and put it against their cause and then make sure they have less to spend propagating their cause?
Yes, I definitely would.
Depends
I don’t agree with everyone on everything, so to say I couldn’t take any money from someone I disagreed with would rather limit who I could take money from… *ponders*
But here’s a thought. If I give the money back to the group I disagree with… does that mean I’m donating to their cause, then, because I’m giving them that money?
^That’s exactly what I was wondering, cuteluvr21.
Yes, I would. This is why I would never accept a state lottery scholarship.
maybe you take the money then get a job in the civil rights division…
…
If they didn’t expect anything in return, sure. Just take the check and go on my merry way.
Probably. Granted, it’s different if you’re running for president, where the association is more damaging and people are more likely to try to dig up dirt on you.
“If they didn’t expect anything in return, sure. Just take the check and go on my merry way.”
I agree with ms. kneesocks.
hey if the asian hater group was going to pay for my college tuition i’ll take it and say F U very much.
No, I would not. Hell, I turned down an offer for a scholarship from the State of Kansas at one point because I hate the bureaucracy that goes along with everything the government tries to do.
Sure, as long as there’s no strings attached.
Theres no such thing as a free lunch. I only trust the money I earn and the money I steal.
Absolutely. Me taking their money doesn’t mean I endorse them. I got a state-funded scholarship for my undergrad; I don’t think it’s the government’s business to spend tax payers’ dollars so people can go to school, but I wasn’t going to turn it down.
Just because some white supremacists appreciate the constitution doesn’t mean Ron Paul is a white supremacist. If you and a serial killer both really like orange juice, it doesn’t make you a serial killer.
As tempting as it could be, I ultimately know I couldn’t. There is always a price with free $$.
Nope.
HELL YES I WOULD! Then, hey, they’d be doing something worthwhile!
If they were just going to write me a check for absolutely no reason, I guess. But the second they expected me to advertise their beliefs, or agree with them, I’d hand it back. Because in the first case, they’re the ones compromising their convictions (and that’s good for me x2), and in the second case, I am.
Of course it’s ridiculous to think anyone would just write you a check for ~$200,000 and expect nothing in return, so in reality my answer is no.
No, I never would. I would rather put off college, work a couple of jobs, etc., than ever take scholarship money from a racist org like the Klan, an org like Planned Parenthood, a terrorist org, etc. There are too many good and just orgs out there to not take a principled stand. And an honest person would even if there weren’t.
Yes, because every person in this world is a hypocrite.
Besides, free money, no strings attached. All I have to do is explain to everyone who asks if I’m a racist (If it was a white supremacist group) is that I’m not, I just like free money.
Yeah. If they didn’t expect anything in return…
Let’s say for example, a well-known cigarette company offered me a full scholarship for college. While, it would remove a HUGE burden for me, I would definitely say NO because I know that this company is killing people one cigarette at a time. I could never live with myself.
If its something like a gay rights organization, I probably wouldn’t have a problem with accepting the money. I am not gay myself, but I am definitely pro-love – meaning, I don’t care who you are with as long as you truly love them!
So, as long as the organization isn’t harming people -mentally or physically, then I don’t think I’d have a problem taking money for my education!
Sure! If liberals paid for my Christian education, the joke’s on them!
I’d laugh all the way to the bank
I’m not sure, especially after reading others’ comments. I mean, I’m already applying for financial aid ’cause my family can’t afford school- my brother is even in debt. So I’d really like to…but what would they want in return? Then there’s my personal beliefs…I probably wouldn’t be able to take money from someone opposing something I feel strongly for.
On the other hand….if it were the KKK or something, you’d be taking away money they could be using elsewhere.
I think I’d need to sit on this for a while if it were to happen..ha
Absolutely, as long as they didn’t expect anything but good grades from me in return.
Depends on the group. Clearly not white surpremicists — I would never take anything from the KKK except for their lives =) LOL jk ;D
But if the Republican party would like to pay for my tuition I wouldn’t say no =D
Can’t tell you what I’d do. I’d have to be face to face with the temptation. There is the rational thought that if they give you money and you don’t believe in their cause then in one way you’re a detriment to their funds, setting them back a step.
-David
I would accept money from any legal source.
Nope. I wouldn’t want to be a hypocrite.
No. Accepting money from someone is in a sense endorsing them. For example, if Planned Parenthood gave money to your local pregnancy center, I hope they wouldn’t accept it.
My first thought was to say YES – and anyone who says otherwise is a liar OR has money and is not paying $40,000 + in debt for school for thier rest of their life… but my second thought wonders if I would or not really. My main beef is just that college is so freaking expensive, especially if you are in education, religion, or working with social/non-profit organizations… which do not pay much at all. I guess maybe if they did not ask for anything in return.. but part of me doubts if I would feel “right” about it and if any church or organization would ever look at me normal ever again (or my self for that matter).
Daniel (doubledb)
Hell yes!
But it would be immoral to write an essay on, say, white supremacy, to get the KKK scholarship. They have to just offer it to you, no strings attached.
Those of you who say no: did you ever take scholarships or loans from anyone (including your parents)? I bet if you did, the entity you got money from holds some position/opinion that you find abhorrent. If you’ll deny support from everyone who disagrees with you, even if they’re dead wrong, then you’re going to have a hard time finding any support (financial or otherwise).
First of all, any Christan who was is involved in the KKK is not a true Christian… (We all know that the KKK, was against all religions minus Christianity, against black people, against minorities, basically everyone but themselves…) Which is in fact is pretty sad.
But the other groups you mentioned, Gay Rights, pro-life, or a whatever, Those aren’t groups doing harm, so there wouldn’t be anything wrong accepting a scholarship from that group, especially if it was a full ride…
I would have a problem with the KKK giving me that scholarship, and I don’t think they would considering my race and religion.
Yes. I don’t see why this is a problem.
depends on how wrong.
as an idealistic freshman, i would have universally said no.
as a graduating senior in may and gazing at the loans ive accumulated…probably yes. like said before, it just means im taking money away from them to spread their cause.
yeah, as long as the group didn’t harm people. the full price of my college is $50,000 per year. so that would be a gift of over $200,000 over four years (if you tried to take out loans for that amount).
no if the money was from a gang or terrorist group (or basically any organization that kills people or gets people killed).
CHANGE. the dems are all about it… and mostly against all of those special interest groups and lobbyists. c’mon now theo.
Hmmm….depends on the group, I guess. On one hand, the stigma of having that group attached to my name ever after would suck. But then again, it would be a delicious way to thumb my nose at them–take their money to fight them with.
As long as they didn’t want anything in return, I absolutely would.
<33
I wouldn’t accept money from an extreme group that was involved in evil activities….Yet how do we know we aren’t being hypocritical? Does a student accept a government grant for college while opposing the Amercan stance on Iraq? Sometimes it’s a hard call to make? How about you? Would you take money from your government if you thought some of their policies were immoral?
If I found them offensive I would not accept their money. If I found out about it after I was in school I’d probably finish the semester and look for an alternative form of funding.
I’m kinda broke right now, so I’ll have to agree with Ron Paul on this one. If you give me money, I’ll take your money.
Sure why not?
It would actually be better if it was a group who had the exact opposite viewpoint on a heated issue then I did, rather then a group with a controversial stand where I wasn’t sure where I stood.
This question is basically, would you accept something along the lines of $15,000 to $100,000 from a group who had views that you thought were wrong? Unless I am a millionaire, or have parents who are millionaires I’m going to say yes to this question.
If they want to give me money for free, why not? If their were other stipulations it might be different, but why turn down alot of free money if there are no other stipulations?
I have friends in Georgia who were stressed out because their faith dictated that gambling is wrong, yet they received a full ride on the HOPE scholarship which is paid for by the lottery.
mmmm if the money doesn’t come with any stipulations of public or private support to the organization then why not? i don’t agree on everything my parents agree on yet that doesn’t mean i cut ties with them.
I do that everytime I take money through the federal pell grant.
No.
why would they give you money if you don`t agree with their views?
i would take the money as long as they know i`m not into what they are into.
I’d wonder why they want to send me to college.. what could I have done or said to give them reason to back me…
No, I would not want to be in their debt.
Yes, I will turn the money into something good!
I’d like to say no….but I honestly don’t know what cjoice I would make if I really needed the money….then again I’d be amusing to take their money and then use it to study or major in a topic that opposes that group
no i wouldnt
You know what?
YES!
I don’t give a damn, if someone’s offering to pay for my tuition… yeah, I’ll take your money.
Then again, I have no morals.
It depends on what obligations were imposed on the money and whether I disagreed with them or felt that their beliefs were morally reprehensible. For example, I accepted money from a group for the advancement of women, but would not accept money from the KKK.
If this group is willing to give me money for college fully knowing my views are diffrent than there, I sure would. It would keep me and my family out of debt later, and if they dont care (the group), I dont either.
Its just money. Just because you take the money doesnt mean you agree with the views.
Now if in order to recieve a full ride from a gay rights group I was required to wear their shirt everyday or protest with them, I would politly decline.
If someone is handing out money no strings attached I’m inclined to take it.
@j61johnclark - Great point!
No I would not accept a scholarship from an organization who’s views I think are wrong. Accepting the scholarship would forever associate my name with the organization.
@ArmyGreenUnderwear - Good points. Here’s one more idea. The Bible says it’s more blessed to give than to recieve. You can’t give if the other party won’t recieve. When you accept a gift, you’re allowing someone to be blessed. It would be selfish not to receive.
Yes.
Money’s money, and if they still want to support me even though they’re most likely aware we have different views – so be it.
hell yeah.
money is money
art school’s not gonna pay for itself!
If they want to waste their time giving money to someone who does not agree with them and won’t do anything to advance their cause, then I’m not going to argue with them. I already have a full ride to college though.
I would. But then my entire college experience will be a hoax. It’s like if anyone saw that Friends episode when Phoebe gets money in the bank by accident and if she bought shoes with that money, every step she took those fake shoes would squeak “NOT mine, NOT mine, NOT mine.”
Bad analogy, but you get my point.
What church do you belong to, Dan?
Yeah I would. And I would feel good about it, because I’d be taking their money. Hahahaha >D I WIN.
Depends on what my obligations would be. I wouldn’t want to support the group in any way. But if those suckers wanna give me their money with no strings attached, I’d seriously consider taking it.
like the military???
so my answer would be N E V E R !!!i would find another way to pay for school…
no.
no, i would never take the government’s money
absofreakinlutely. not just college money either. any money, the more i hated the group the more i would accept/take. for instance, one of my BIGGEST beefs is human trafficking. in a perfect world(one where i thought i could get away with what i would like to do.) i would take money from slave rings and use it to buy guns, bombs, training, etc, that i could use to kill traffickers and help free their victims, and of course, while killing them, take their money to further fund the crusade. in this way, i not only end their activities,(as they are dead) but i also drain the coffers of their organizations, making it harder for them to opperate. that’s not hypocracy, it’s expediency. only a fool would confuse the two.
yeah. c’mon guys, who are you kidding?
i wouldnt apply for the aid if I didnt agree with them but realistically and most college students share the view…if they wanna pay my tuition “grant” wise that’s great I’ll accept it that way I am not indebted to anyone’s cause.
no. dirty money.
hmm. great Q. Thinking about it. will read posts..
Ineresting comments. But the problem is that we acquire the characteristics of that which we associate with. Proverbs talks about that as well as common sense.
Money can lure. Still, it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil, not the money itself. Owning my own business is an awesome understanding of ownership in general.
Money needs to be purified….it had been used for strange things…oft to hurt people. It is good when it can cleanse and heal.
If I were running as a candidate, this is always an issue. Would not. Not from highest ethics, but from practicality. How can my constiuents trust me? They need to see things in this world. May become very confusing. Also, why add to my burden? If I accept their money, I have a responsibility back to them, to report etc. And YES I could use this as an educational tool…..but I need to create MY agenda….not be lured into theirs. Even their healing. If my primary objective is indeed their healing, then I would do it. But if this would wind up hurting or distracting me from my main goal….must not.
Yeah, it’s free money for college.
I highly doubt the KKK would sponsor me a scholarship to anywhere but out of this world….. I guess it runs along the lines of should a church accept donations (school supplies and money for an outreach program) from a strip club?? Racist, gay people, and abortionist all have a heart and a human side. In some sick and twisted way they want to make a difference as well….the racist-wiping out another race while promoting theirs as supreme…, the gays-want legal rights for marriage, abortionist-i dunno no more kids?? But I don’t think their opposing views discredit them from showing a softer side. Yeah it looks sketchy accepting money from a white supremist group and your running for president (note to self: Don’t vote for Ron Paul), but that’s their convictions, but they must also accept the heat they possibly may come with it.
No way. Never ever ever.
I’d accept money from an organization like PETA or MADD but never anything like the KKK.
I’d rather be in debt!
No. I don’t agree with them in any way known to God’s Green Earth. I’d rather skip college.
Walmart gave me a full ride and I hate to shop there.
Oh god yes, and I’d seriously be laughing all the way to the bank. A fool and their money are soon parted. If any of those groups gave me money it would be like stabbing themselves in the foot. I make fun of all of them on a regular basis.
No I would not. If I don’t approve of a group’s agenda or practices then I feel it would be wrong and hypocritical to accept their money.
No, I will find other ways.