The public school system was formulated in the mid 1840’s. Schools were established by the state to provide elementary education to all children. Over time, the federal government started taking a larger role in educational institutions and money was afforded to states in order to educate the masses. Most of the youth in America in the late 1800’s only attended school through the 8th grade, but it was mandatory. After that time, few students would move on to institutions of higher education. In the early 1800s, colleges had low tuition rates, or didn't charge at all. However, only those who came from well-to-do families had the means to pay for college's living expenses and travel.
Post-secondary training was not, and still is not, mandatory. It is optional. It is an opportunity for specialization, but is certainly not necessary for success. Though it is not free, there are breaks (scholarships, grants, financial aid) available to help anyone who would like to attend college. If it is not required, and not all jobs or trades require a college education, then students are attending by choice.
College degrees were once seen as a means to higher pay in the workforce. Surprisingly though, according to recent statistics, 41.10% of men who are degree holders say they are not using their degrees nor are working in fields related to what they studied. 31.09% of women said they could not find a job related to their degree. So they are going to college and getting jobs in fields other than what they studied. That feels like a waste of college education for the mass amount of debt that students are incurring when attending institutions of higher education. On top of that, it is estimated that 45 million Americans have student loan debt. |
The overall cost of attending college has risen significantly. In the 1980’s, the average cost of college attendance per year was $8,000. Today, the number is closer to $22,000, and double that for private institutions. It seems like an exorbitant amount of money to borrow for folks that aren’t working in those areas, and are now saddled with debt.
If they ARE using their degree, many fields and companies will assist their employees in the forgiveness of loans that college students took out during their time in school. Teachers, public service employees, soldiers in the military, and private companies offer loan forgiveness or payoffs. However, this is not a handout or free money. These are opportunities afforded to employees who are providing a service to and working for an outcome or goal in a company or the nation.
However, what is happening now is NOT a reward for service, nor is it forgiveness for services rendered. Instead, the Biden administration wants to wipe out a percentage of the debt that Americans own from college…in return for nothing. In its soft opening, the Student Loan Forgiveness program proposed by the Biden administration, signed up 8 million people on the first day. This plan includes debt cancellation for anyone making under $125,000 a year. They can apply for $10,000 to be forgiven, and anyone with a Pell grant can apply for an additional $10,000. Officials have calculated that the debt forgiveness would cost the government upwards of $400 billion. President Biden has also extended the pause on monthly student loan payments until at least January.
If they ARE using their degree, many fields and companies will assist their employees in the forgiveness of loans that college students took out during their time in school. Teachers, public service employees, soldiers in the military, and private companies offer loan forgiveness or payoffs. However, this is not a handout or free money. These are opportunities afforded to employees who are providing a service to and working for an outcome or goal in a company or the nation.
However, what is happening now is NOT a reward for service, nor is it forgiveness for services rendered. Instead, the Biden administration wants to wipe out a percentage of the debt that Americans own from college…in return for nothing. In its soft opening, the Student Loan Forgiveness program proposed by the Biden administration, signed up 8 million people on the first day. This plan includes debt cancellation for anyone making under $125,000 a year. They can apply for $10,000 to be forgiven, and anyone with a Pell grant can apply for an additional $10,000. Officials have calculated that the debt forgiveness would cost the government upwards of $400 billion. President Biden has also extended the pause on monthly student loan payments until at least January.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania reports that, “between 69 and 73 percent of the debt forgiven accrues to households in the top 60 percent of the income distribution.” So although Biden’s promise that this will alleviate the strain in the middle, as well as the lower classes, it is in fact, helping out a lot of people who are making enough money to pay off their loans. This is similar to Biden’s policy of stimulus checks during COVID to many Americans who WERE getting a paycheck and didn’t need it. That makes no sense. The outcry among those of us who will be carrying the weight of this “program” over 10 years are the same ones who are withstanding the strain of an already floundering economy - the middle class. |
“Taxpayers will foot the bill for this massive expenditure, including the vast majority of Americans who already paid off their loans, paid for tuition out of pocket, or do not even have post-secondary education nor enjoy the higher lifetime earnings associated with it,” said Senator Toomey.
“This decision will have wide-reaching, negative ramifications across America’s economy, including increasing already disastrous inflation, exacerbating America’s spending problems, and encouraging higher education institutions to raise the cost of going to college.” |
If this administration is so worried about saving the environment, reducing carbon footprints now in order to ensure a healthy future - why is THIS not a concern for them? In the short term, a large number of college goers or recent graduates will receive a “drop in the bucket” band aid of loan forgiveness, but at what cost to the health of our economy and financial stability?
Most importantly, what are we teaching our children by adding yet another social program? First of all, we want to raise good citizens who work hard for what they have. We don’t want to impress upon young people that it’s ok for them to go to college with a sense of entitlement that they won’t have to be accountable for their choices and not deal with their responsibilities.This program, along with many others in this administration, enables. We make excuses, we coddle, and we let certain groups carry the burden of others. This is the opposite of what our country stands for. Freedom is not free. It costs. Sacrifice, hard work and commitment are qualities we hold dear. |
If students have a vision and desire to go to college, they do so like the rest of us, knowing that they will have to pay for it. Young people who really need assistance to help pay for college, CAN do so through scholarships, grants, and federal assistance programs that already exist. That happens BEFORE signing up, it should NOT be after the fact. We need to help our children consider the cost of doing something. Most of them can’t afford to just go to college without a focus on the outcome in mind. If it’s worth it, then so will paying off the loans they have to incur to get to the end. Anything less is just a handout.
Getting involved locally:
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
- Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
- Strasburg * Mr. Dan Hoff
- Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
- Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann