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Readers' Forum

Readers' Forum Feb. 23

A plea for financial literacy

Let’s face it; college students are poor. Many students find ways to squeeze the amount of what they have left for rent or food. Furthermore, some still have trouble understanding interest, loan terms and the importance of paying credit cards on time. According to U.S. News, 56 percent of college students between ages 18 and 24 have four or more credit cards, with an average balance of over $3,000. Students must learn financial literacy.

Financial literacy teaches students more than just saving money; it teaches students to make wise decisions. Other than monetary risks, students must learn how each choice they make is an investment towards their future.

Students need to learn not only how to reduce the amount of debt they have, but also how to find ways to minimize the amount of occurring debt in the first place. Over the past five years, student debt has increased by over 40 percent, while student earnings stagnated or decreased by two percent.

Financial literacy is necessary for students’ future. Let’s stop worrying about the bills we have to pay and start learning how to reduce those bills in the first place!

— Victor Lau
Los Angeles, California

Socialism or capitalism?

How this presidential election is decided will ultimately determine whether this nation will become a truly life-changing state of socialism or remain in a state of capitalism.

We hear a lot about the “progressive” “share the wealth” or “redistribution — under a dark, enclosing cloak, this is socialism. Tax the rich and fair share equalize to the poor. Socialism says there is a limited amount of wealth in the world, and that wealth must be equally divided between all citizens.

Socialism, however, strongly requires a larger government with more regulation, control and power. Socialism is anti-innovation, anti-individualism.

By contrast, the Constitution allows the incentive system to flourish. It is the only social system that rewards merit, ability and achievement, regardless of one’s birth or station in life. It sparks that man or that woman, the entrepreneur, with unlimited drive, initiative, insight, energy, daring, creativity, optimism and ingenuity, thus creating wealth.

It is the great giver to the world. Socialism is the great taker.

When each of us enters the voting booth in November, the personal decision is only between two opposing forces — increasing oppressive government control, regulation and debt vs. Constitutional free agency, growth and national sustainability.

— Dave Olpin
Provo, Utah

A letter from parents

As parents of a daughter at BYU, we feel the need to offer you young men some advice. Here are 10 things to remember:

1. She doesn’t want to “hang out” with you- she wants you to ask her on a date and pay for it.

2. A second date doesn’t mean you’re engaged, so relax.

3. If you text her to ask her out (or break up with her) she won’t answer you.

4. She doesn’t care that you’re a War Craft master — turn off the video games.

5. Open the door for her because she deserves your respect, not because she needs you to open it for her.

6. Commitment is not a four-letter-word. Pull out your man card and do something.

7. Turn off the porn — run away from it as fast as you can and never look back. IT IS NOT LOVE!

8. Prove to her you can do something to build the kingdom. She wants a man who honors his priesthood and loves the Lord.

9. Prove to her that you can support her and that you will be the provider.

10. The latest scientific research indicates that being romantic does not cause cancer.

— Rob and LeeAnn Olson
Santa Barbara, California