Uncle Joe

[Mjl]

It's a far right Libertarian take, yeah.

I like that kids from poor families can go to a school of their choice and aren't stuck with community college. Yes, lenders will make money on that. I would rather provide an opportunity for upward mobility than stick it to the lenders. But you do you.

[ousdahl]

But at what point is it the lenders sticking it to everybody else?

Is upward mobility really upward mobility if better opportunities are offset by potentially decades of debt?

I suppose the question is, how much of a margin, interest, other metrics are at play, and whether those metrics are appropriate

[Mjl]

The lenders are providing a service and aren't forcing anyone to take loans. If I'm not mistaken most student loans are not issued by for-profit entities and people don't work on commission, so I don't see a reason for them to be considered predatory.

Upward mobility is an opportunity to rise in economic class, not a guarantee. A college degree can help with that. Of course it's not guaranteed.

Adjusting metrics would need to be accompanied by a lot more government funding, since the way they stand now the intent is for the lenders to break even. I could get behind that. Take some out of the military budget.

[ousdahl]

Right on. Yea take some outta the military budget!

And I haven’t looked up more empirical numbers about it. But anecdotally, at least, it seems there’s a lot of stories like, “when I graduated 10 years ago my student payment was $300 bucks a month and I owed back a total of $60k. Now it’s up to $350 a month and I still owe $60k.” Or something.

And now these sob stories like, “ever since the gummint let me punt on my student loans for a while, I’ve actually been able to pay rent AND buy groceries without having to worry about if I can afford my kid’s school clothes too” and shit

But again, anecdotes. Maybe it’s not as bad as those art history majors want us to think

[ousdahl]

And changing gears, is how it seems fewer and fewer majors are even economically worthwhile. Not sure how I feel about that.

[JKLivin]

And changing gears, is how it seems fewer and fewer majors are even economically worthwhile. Not sure how I feel about that.

My wife, who is an American Literature Ph.D. and an English professor, hates this argument. She contends, and I (mostly) agree with her, that education has inherent value in and of itself. A degree is not a ticket to a particular job or lifestyle, but a passport to a series of destinations that help you chart your life course. Unless, of course, you get a degree in Transgender Feminist Basket Weaving or something like that.

I get second and third-semester students in my office every year who are switching their major from business or accounting or pre-med to psychology because they like the classes, find the subject matter intriguing, and want to help make other peoples' lives better. And this, despite the vehement disapproval of Dad and Mom, who are asking "What kinda job ya get with that degree?" Bachelor's degrees are a sign to employers that you are capable of learning and delaying gratification. What you do with the job opportunities you encounter afterward is completely up to you.

The cost of education is a whole other matter. People assume that the money goes to faculty, but they would be dead wrong. The added expense is facilities and redundant layers of administration.

[JKLivin]

This unsustainable college tuition scam is not going to last much longer.

Yup. There will be blood.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

[TDub]

Right on. Yea take some outta the military budget!

And I haven’t looked up more empirical numbers about it. But anecdotally, at least, it seems there’s a lot of stories like, “when I graduated 10 years ago my student payment was $300 bucks a month and I owed back a total of $60k. Now it’s up to $350 a month and I still owe $60k.” Or something.

And now these sob stories like, “ever since the gummint let me punt on my student loans for a while, I’ve actually been able to pay rent AND buy groceries without having to worry about if I can afford my kid’s school clothes too” and shit

But again, anecdotes. Maybe it’s not as bad as those art history majors want us to think

why do you think everyone should be able to afford everything all at the same time? choices....its all about choices. when you pay the minimum you're gonna pay longer.

I paid more than double the mo thly payment and delayed having a mortgage, a wedding, and kids until I was confident I could afford to do so...that meant needing to do without some things and drop that loan payment as quickly as possible.

choices....we all make them everyday...

[ousdahl]

Bro you’re jumping to conclusions again.

[TDub]

nah...youre a broken record with no desire to converse about anything contrary to your meme informed, pre-determined, position.

[ousdahl]

Happy to discuss.

Discussion just becomes more difficult when you come outta nowhere with this hyperbole.

If you’d like me to respond to your question, no I don’t think everyone should be able to afford everything all at the same time.

And good for you for being responsible with your own finances.

[TDub]

lol @ you accusing anyone else of hyperbole .

[TDub]

and out of nowhere? its a direct response to the story you told in the post I quoted. paying the minimum, with kids.

[sdoyel]

So many pieces of shit Trumpers out there.

[ousdahl]

Whoa, gotta get political even on the Santa tracker line.

The war on Christmas folks is gonna be pissed!

[sdoyel]

[sdoyel]

[jhawks99]

I guess this makes Joe the greatest president in US history. Mich's 401k is doing outstanding. He loves him some Joe.

[ousdahl]

Been seeing Biden get some shit for campaigning on “we need leadership at the federal level to beat covid” but now coming out and saying it’s a state thing.