Student Loan Forgiveness

 Student Loan Forgiveness

I have been involved in several FB discussions on this issue and asked by several (via DM) what my view is regarding this issue. So, to avoid a number of return DM's here is my view.

My opinion - we need to start treating public colleges as a continuation of public schools. If a person wants to go to college for 4 years, I am for that, as we need more teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers etc. the list goes on... Similarly, I feel this should apply to technical school as well, because we need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, machinists, etc.
Before public schools were created only the rich could be educated leaving opportunity out of the equation for the masses. Today education beyond Highschool is (in my opinion) in a similar situation. Either you are part of the 1% and have no need to worry or:
> you don't go to further your education.
> or you owe so much in debt its decades until you are free to buy a home raise a family etc.

Now I know a number of people out there - especially my age - will say" "Well I did it so why can't they?"

To me that sounds like: "Bitter-bus Party of 1 please"
When you feel that people need to suffer as you did, well to me that is just sad. Again - my opinion.

Now this doesn't mean that I think a person may go to college for as many years as they want until they get a degree or to a technical college jumping from craft to craft.
Nor do I think you just hand them monies to use on anything they want. I'd like to see safeguards to ensure the monies ONLY go to the public approved institution and only so much in total. If they go beyond that then that cost is their burden.
I won't elaborate on what I think those safeguards should be... no one wants to read any more of this than they likely have.

I will close by saying this... My wife wanted to go into Social Work after the children were in school. To do that she had to acquire her BS and a master's degree. We incurred that cost. 3 of our 4 children went to college another became a Chef... they incurred that cost. So, my family and I get it, we understand that those who follow us might have it easier. Last I looked - that's what is called progress. Very similar to when the first public schools were created to give opportunity to those less affluent.