UPDATE 2-Clinton proposes $5,000 'baby bonds'
(Adds Clinton spokesman, RNC comments in paragraphs 4-6)
WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Friday proposed giving every baby born in the United States $5,000 to start an account to use for paying for college.
Clinton made the comment at a forum sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus as she and Democratic rival Barack Obama competed for support from black voters a day after leading Republican presidential candidates skipped a debate on minority issues.
"I like the idea of giving every baby born in America a $5,000 account that will grow over time, so when that young person turns 18, if they have finished high school, they will be able to access it to go to college," Clinton said.
Clinton, a senator from New York, offered no details on how to pay for the program. The $5,000 "baby bonds" would accrue interest over time.
A Clinton spokesman, Phil Singer, said the "baby bonds" were "not a firm policy proposal, but an idea under consideration."
The plan was denounced by the Republican National Committee as the latest Clinton proposal that ignores fiscal responsibility. RNC Communications Director Danny Diaz said Clinton's "budget-busting proposals" totaled $615 billion dollars in new spending so far.
"If enacted into law, Hillary Clinton's reckless spending proposals would result in devastating tax hikes on hard-working families and grow the size of government at a massive rate," Diaz said.
Obama, a senator from Illinois, spoke to Howard University's 2007 convocation ceremony and outlined a plan aimed at addressing what he called disparities in the U.S. justice system. Continued...
reuters.com
Hope the Chinese read this ... |
