What seems to get lost in the debate over student loan debt is the very idea of student loan debt. That is, the fixation on restructuring student loan terms circumvents the real issue: Education is now a money-making enterprise more than a societal virtue.
Learning has always been a civilizing force—why must it be a capitalist industry? Shouldn’t some things be elevated above mere profit? The argument cannot be made at this point that athletic programs alone drive up tuition costs at some schools. While this is true in some cases, the national trend for the last few decades has not been a reduction in tuition. And where there is honey, one will find bears.
As The Wall Street Journal reports, “Even as the growth of student debt stirs debate on everything from whether the government should move to ease borrowers’ burden to the ability to discharge obligations through bankruptcy, some banks are jockeying for position to lend to students.”
Easy victims, in other words.
That not a single politician seems to address the problem of tuition fees (which necessitate student loans) is abhorrent. Ron Paul believes that dismantling the Department of Education and counting on smaller banks to lend to students will solve the problem. Real change, however, will not arrive through a kinder interest rate and less predatory student lending, but through a paradigm shift in how we view education.
It wasn’t always this way, this extremely monetized version of education. It can be changed, all it takes is the political will and courage to speak out. But the same can be said of the healthcare system. As we’ve seen, it’s easier said than done.
[Image: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/File]
May 17, 2012 at 12:20 pm, Don Fillebrown said:
How about we get rid of the tens of billions of oil subsidies, dismantle the war machine put in place to protect the oil industry in Europe/middle east/Africa, and restore the progressive tax structure that was in place in the sixties.
This country could easily fund four years of post high school education for everyone. That is the real investment we need.
May 17, 2012 at 1:19 pm, Never Run Out of Cash said:
Using debt to get an education only makes the education more expensive. And if things don't work out just like you plan, student loans can ruin you financially for life. Education is good. Borrowing a bunch of money to attend school is not. It too often ends in regret.
May 17, 2012 at 2:27 pm, Kristen Franks said:
Want to join the many voices that are screaming to Congress and the Senate, wake up, this is what we need, and we demand you hear us. There are several listed methods below on how to become engaged in the political discourse:
Popvox: click here.
(https://www.popvox.com/).
Open Congress: click here.
(http://www.opencongress.org//).
Gov Tracks: click here.
(http://www.govtrack.us/).
Politico Open Forum: click here.
(http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/index.html)
Want to join Robert Applebaum in the FSLD lobbying process:
Robert Applebaum, the founder of The Forgive Student Loan Debt (FSLD) organization will use contributions in its avocation in a number of diverse ways. A set agenda towards the advocacy plan of FSLD will be forth coming – as the campaign gains momentum and begins to hit its funding goals.
The lobbying effort will continue the fight for the financial freedom for millions of past, present and future students who are faced with a heavy student loan debt, please help promote: H.R. 4170 The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012.
Please sign this petition: 946,159 signatures strong as May 17, 2012 click here.
(http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=1117051).
Would you like to contribute: click here.
(https://youlobby.com/campaigns/123/).
Want to contact you Congress person: (http://www.contactingthecongress.org/).
Want to contact your state Representatives: (http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/).
Want to contact all your governmental representatives: (http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml).
Need more information on the fight and the possibility of a future law suit against Sallie Mae: http://suesalliemae.blogspot.com/2008/02/sallie-mae-harassment-violations.html.
Rebuild the Dream: Tell Sallie Mae Work With Students Not Against Them!
(http://act.rebuildthedream.com/sign/petition-sallie-mae/?akid=618.715322.XGx66I&rd=1&t=).
for more info: http://studentloandebacle.blogspot.com/.