Dan Levin's blog

Bumped, but this should not be taken as an endorsement of any particular candidate. If other candidates for office within the College Democrats want to post here on Future Majority, I'm happy to provide an equal and open forum. All you have to do is use the contact form to email me. --Mike

As a blogger here on Future Majority, it has given me great pleasure to blog about news and events regarding College Democrat chapters, state federations, and our national organization, from across the country.

Many of you have been with me every step of the way, reading posts about my blogging battle against the College Republican National Committee, fighting to save the Liberty University College Democrats chapter, or organizing thousands of students in New York for the first time to get involved during this past 2008 elections.

It is with that same spirit, that I aim to run for a national position on the College Democrats of America executive board. At our national convention starting July 24 in Washington, D.C. I will be running for the CDA Political Affairs Director.

The news of my candidacy took some in our organization by surprise, as I am knowingly running against an incumbent candidate seeking re-election. However, given my proven track record as former president of the College Democrats of New York, I believe I can make the greatest impact in our national organization by becoming the next Political Affairs Director.

For the most part, the role of Political Affairs Director has concentrated on the Caucus system, a group of caucuses to recruit individuals of different races and backgrounds and to bring them in to the College Democrat organization. While that is something I will continue to do, I want to be on the national board to affect change for the organization for every member, regardless of background. That is why I am running on a platform of new ideas, including taking up political issues by the organization on a national level, including better student advocacy for education policy, student loans, and fostering a better national presence. We have proven to the country that we can be a powerful organizing force in the elections; now we must prove that we can be a powerful student advocate group as well, fighting for issues to represent students across the country.

The rest of my platform you can check our at my campaign website. Thanks again for all your help and I hope to see you in DC this summer.

This is the most absurd and ridiculous thing I have seen in a while when it comes to our nation's youth. I just received an email from David Hardt, President of the Young Democrats of America, informing everyone that Liberty University disbanded the Young Democrats club on their campus for supporting the Democratic Party's principles which is "contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine"

The absurd letter from Liberty University's administrators is below:

Even though this club may not support the more radical planks of the democratic party, the democratic party is still the parent organization of the club on campus. The Democratic Party Platform is contrary to the mission of LU and to Christian doctrine (supports abortion, federal funding of abortion, advocates repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, promotes the "LGBT" agenda, Hate Crimes, which include sexual orientation and gender identity, socialism, etc). The candidates this club supports uphold the Platform and implement it. The candidates supported are directly contrary to the mission of LU. By using LU or Liberty University and Democrat in the name, the two are associated and the goals of both run in opposite directions.

We are removing the club from the Liberty website and you will need to cease using Liberty University's name, including any logo, seal or mark of Liberty University. They are not to be used in any of your publications, electronic or internet, including but not limited to, any website, Facebook, Twitter or any other such publication.

Mark Hine
VP for Student Affairs
Liberty University

Please sign their online petition to reinstate the club and shows these clowns at Liberty University that in America we believe in Freedom of expression

In the New York legislature, an ongoing fight has emerged on legislation proposed by Governor David Paterson to legalize same-sex marriage. While the Assembly is likely to pass the bill, the state senate is struggling to find the votes to pass it.

Last night, the Student Association at Binghamton University in upstate New York, unanimously passed a policy statement supporting same-sex marriage on behalf of its student body. I was proud to be a sponsor of the policy statement and a special thanks to Phil Calderon for authoring the legislation.

The policy statement is below:

Whereas the University prides itself on having a very diverse culture and atmosphere for its students;

Whereas all of the different departments on campus of Binghamton University also strive to endure they are meeting the needs of diverse lifestyles;

Whereas Binghamton University is recognized as a leader amongst SUNY schools due to its academics and diverse student body;

Whereas the city of Binghamton, along with the mayor, unanimously showed their support of the same-sex marriage bill which was reintroduced by Governor Paterson,

Therefore be it resolved:
1. That the Student Assembly join the Binghamton City Council in supporting the same sex marriage legislation
2. That the Student Assembly join the mayor of Binghamton in supporting same-sex marriage legislation
3. That the Student Assembly here at Binghamton University position the university as a leader in this very important social issue.
4. That this Assembly show its support of the lifestyles that are within its own members and constituents and support same-sex legislation which was reintroduced by Governor Paterson to the state assembly and senate.

Dan Levin is the President-Emeritus of the College Democrats of New York

(Quick Note- I've changed my blogging account from NY College Dems, to my name, Dan Levin, as my term expires as President of the College Democrats of New York).

Among the many issues that the Obama administration is trying to tackle, is expanding financial aid for college students while cutting costs at the same time. To do this, he is planning on cutting out the middle man, the private lenders.

From

Obama also is seeking to overhaul federal Perkins loans, administered by schools to bridge gaps between other loans, grants and scholarships. The revamped Perkins program would provide $6 billion in loans a year, compared with the current level of $1 billion, and participation would be expanded beyond the current 1,800 institutions to all 4,400 colleges and universities. An additional 2.7 million students could receive the loans.

The plan would save an additional $94 million, which could then be redirected to more students.

Of course, the Republicans and the private lending lobbyist groups are gearing up for a fight. We can only hope this plan gets passed before the fall academic semester