Life in the Bush Administration! 11 years ago I was given a school loan of $3,695.40 for a 3 year course in computer science. The money was paid directly to the school. After 3 months of attending 5 days a week I had to drop out to take care of my father who had Alzheimer ’s disease. Later on, I myself had developed brain tumors which caused me non stop migraine headaches and destroyed my own ability to concentrate ultimately disabling me to where I couldn’t work and my only income was a $467 a month disability check. On my very last Income Tax Return before I was totally disabled they (the Dept. of Education) took the $680 tax return I had coming back to cover the repayment of the loan for the 60 days I attended school so I never gave it another thought knowing the rest of the loan would be refunded by the school – National University of San Diego. Last week I got a notice and bill in the mail for $5,388.53 from the U.S. Dept. of Education. It seems the school – National University – never refunded them the remainder of the school loan so they are now going to take my only income – my $467 SSI monthly disability check until the $5,388.53 (the original loan and accrued interest over 11 years) is paid back. Quite an expensive bill for a total of 60 days of schooling attempting to further my education before health circumstances forced me to discontinue my plans for my education and future. After contacting National University, they have a record of the 60 days I attended, but since “It’s been so long ago,” they have no records of what happened to the funds they got from the Dept. of Education. So I guess without any help from anyone my government which is supposed to help and protect me will be making me homeless. Life in the Bush Administration.

This current situation inspired me to write my latest poem THORNBIRDS.