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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe have a very big problem
There's an entire "subreddit" on Reddit dedicated solely to student loans.
We have to fix this problem fast because this is going to hurt us drastically as a party. There's thousands upon thousands of posts by young voters who are carrying debt, who are scared shitless, & who have no way of being able to repay their student loans. These young voters are now the largest voting bloc. We need to wipe out student loan entirely.
Here's a link to the subreddit https://reddit.com/r/StudentLoans/s/gw5ZFgHU7u]
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Tetrachloride
(9,624 posts)Loans last
Something like that
AZSkiffyGeek
(12,744 posts)Cool story Reddit.
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)Why are you punch down on working poor people?
AZSkiffyGeek
(12,744 posts)Don't see what that fact has to do with minimum wage.
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)The downside is they continue to grow due to interest but if these kids think the GOP could do better...they won't. WE need to win 24 to help these kids as right-wing courts continue to strike down anything Biden does. Why don't YOU offer a solution?
AZSkiffyGeek
(12,744 posts)I'd think with 30 doctors from around the world posting to that account, one of them would be able to offer more than "OMG Dems need to do something!"
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)What I do is vote and get out he vote. That is my solution. Nice to see you. How are things going?
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...is because Democratic leaders are actually open to hearing from their constituents, and don't consider our input to be "blame".
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)If we don't have the votes, then we work very hard to elect more Democrats next cycle rather than rag on those already elected who can do absolutely nothing without the numbers. There are serious problems with the rightwing courts. This makes executive orders difficult. What is your solution? My solution is to elect more Democrats.
We should not blame our leaders or threaten to vote for third-party candidates, stay home...or God forbid vote for Republican candidates. Party loyalty is everything...easy to bitch but how about instead one makes calls, knocks on doors, and does whatever we can do to win.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...from the voter's point of view.
And what do you think about how to get more votes from the candidate's point of view?
DemocraticPatriot
(5,410 posts)the right-wing courts struck it down....
I hope they don't blame 'Fighting Joe' for failing to do
what he tried to do.....
It is REPUBLICANS who want everyone to suffer....
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)and lots of questions/information about both MOHELA and the SAVE program.
There was also a link to this:
September 29, 2023
The Biden-Harris Administration marked a critical step forward in its efforts to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act, even as extreme House Republicans threaten a government shutdown that would hurt families, communities, and our economy. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today released an issue paper laying out its initial set of policy considerations to create a path to debt relief for student loan borrowers in need. The paper identifies five questions about distinct categories of affected borrowers for which the Department is seeking feedback. This includes questions about borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, whose loans first entered repayment decades ago, who attended programs that did not provide sufficient financial value, who are eligible for relief under programs like income-driven repayment but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship and need support, but for whom the current student loan system does not adequately address.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has taken unprecedented action to fix the broken student loan system and deliver record amounts of student debt relief,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Now, we are diligently moving through the regulatory process to advance debt relief for even more borrowers. Today, after considering more than 26,000 public comments on how to tailor this relief, we are releasing this additional information about this effort. We’re committed to standing up for borrowers and making sure that student debt does not stop anyone from climbing the economic ladder and pursuing the American dream.”
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible
AZSkiffyGeek
(12,744 posts)I've been keeping an eye on my wife's loan (mine is with Aidvantage and is already processed) but Mohela is running behind - they did put it into forbearance for an extra couple months though.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)As for the "Something must be done!" crowd, they would do well to follow your example by staying informed and keeping up with the news.
AZSkiffyGeek
(12,744 posts)I did it when I was unemployed and later working for minimum wage - they were very easy to work with and granted deferrments and forbearance until we were able to pay.
The new law is a GODSEND, even without the debt forgiveness.
My payments were cut from $2000 to $200, my wife's from $1600 to $300. We didn't know how we would make them when the payments restarted, but I figured they'd be able to work with us, because they always have been.
If we made less and hadn't been foolish taking loans out the payments would be even lower - I know people with monthly payments around $20.
EDIT: Love the sea lion graphic.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...the Biden administration agrees with the "Something must be done!" crowd, according to the announcement posted.
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible
betsuni
(29,078 posts)lapucelle
(21,061 posts)Any crowd stoking the narrative that Biden-Harris has not been or is not actively working on this issue is as sadly misinformed as the hapless poster on reddit who thinks that a loan can be discharged through a statute of limitations.
And who benefits from the divisive storyline that nothing is being done?
Cui bon?
Not Democrats.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)Not a very Democratic position, is it?
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)As for the rest, sea below.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)..."Shut Up and just Vote for Me!" type of politician, you are on the wrong website.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts) 
Fiendish Thingy
(23,236 posts)Joe Biden pushed that law through in the 90’s.
I dont know what the poster is talking about re: statute of limitations- that’s for crimes…is the poster afraid of going to jail for fraud?
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(23,236 posts)I thought it was the 90’s; that was a different bill.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)That's some pretty interesting spin from The Guardian in December 2019.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/2415/related-bills
Fiendish Thingy
(23,236 posts)The Guardian wasn’t alone in their take on the bill.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)on the 2005 bill, so there's lots of conflation and confusion in many of the articles from the same period.
Republicans held the Senate 55-44-1 at the time of the bill's passage, so the spin is troubling at best.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 1, 2023, 01:20 PM - Edit history (1)
...between the student loan issue and the perceived lack of strong climate action, we are really risking the vote of "The Largest Voting Bloc".
I certainly hope none of the younger voters who are asking the Biden administration for help with the student loan situation (and ARE getting some, thank goodness) are reading this thread because some of the posts here might turn them off to the Democratic Party completely!
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)And quite honestly I'm beginning to believe I'm too young for this website....
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)Last edited Wed Oct 4, 2023, 06:59 AM - Edit history (1)
...sometimes I think I'm too much of a Democrat for this website.
A lot of folks here seem to be trying to chase away more Democratic Party voters.
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)glass to vote for Democrats.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...what I'm referring to is the abundance of thinly disguised rightwing talking points that seem to overwhelm a lot of the political discussions.
But how can we keep people out who are only here to try to weaken our solidarity?
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)
Oopsie Daisy
(6,670 posts) lapucelle
(21,061 posts)https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=364710
Demsrule86
(71,542 posts)
We need to have more people we don't have the House and the Senate majority is too small. You make all these demands but how I ask you how we can do this given our circumstances? Biden has done good for climate and forgiven student loans that he could. Try giving him more foot soldiers so we can have more.Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...speaking directly to those voters, and listening to their concerns, would show them that Biden is actually doing a lot, wants to do more, and needs everyone's help (unlike some of the posters here) to do it.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/07/vice-president-harris-launches-nationwide-fight-for-our-freedoms-college-tour-to-mobilize-students-and-young-people-in-the-fight-for-their-rights/
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)lapucelle
(21,061 posts)and listening to their concerns..." maybe some of the concern will abate.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)Last edited Wed Oct 4, 2023, 06:14 AM - Edit history (2)
...I am sure it will.
Edit to add:
And here's a great example of our 1st amendment working, and why these young Americans must continue calling for the help they need from the elected officials who can help them:
Biden cancels another $9 billion in student loan debt days after payments restart
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143139094
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)have had their concern addressed.
Imagine reading a reddit post from a confused borrower who thinks there is a statute of limitations on loans and concluding that all loan debt must be wiped out immediately.
Response to lapucelle (Reply #58)
Post removed
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)October 4, 2023
The Biden-Harris administration announced today that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes the U.S. Department of Education has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and granting automatic relief for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today's announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:
$5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment plans. These are borrowers who have been in repayment for 20 or more years but never got the relief they were entitled to
$1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability and have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-announces-additional-9-billion-student-debt-relief
"For years, millions of eligible borrowers were unable to access the student debt relief they qualified for, but that's all changed thanks to President Biden and this Administration's relentless efforts to fix the broken student loan system," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The Biden-Harris administration's laser-like focus on reducing red tape, addressing past administrative failures, and putting borrowers first have now resulted in a historic $127 billion in debt relief approved for nearly 3.6 million borrowers. Today's announcement builds on everything our administration has already done to protect students from unaffordable debt, make repayment more affordable, and ensure that investments in higher education pay off for students and working families."
betsuni
(29,078 posts)Democrats get into politics is to get rich being corrupt and bribed? They could stop everything bad in America with magic wands but refuse!
That if they lose elections to Republicans they'll have to go and be poor somewhere, weeping bitterly every night with remorse at spending all their time in office doing nothing except being out-of-touch elites enjoying swanky canapés and giggling with corporate donors about ignoring The People -- that'll teach them!
If they don't vote, their choice. Their future. If they can't see the difference between parties...
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...clearly state what they expect their elected leaders to do and to practice their right to choose those leaders according to the response to those expectations.
betsuni
(29,078 posts)will obviously do nothing. I don't understand your comment.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...I'll try to rephrase it...
You asked:
" Why? Do they think it will somehow punish the Democratic Party, as if the only reason
Democrats get into politics is to get rich being corrupt and bribed? They could stop everything bad in America with magic wands but refuse!
That if they lose elections to Republicans they'll have to go and be poor somewhere, weeping bitterly every night with remorse at spending all their time in office doing nothing except being out-of-touch elites enjoying swanky canapés and giggling with corporate donors about ignoring The People -- that'll teach them!"
But I don't believe that's what these young voters are thinking.
I believe that as voters, they are trying to express to the candidates the issues they feel our elected officials should be addressing, and that they will be making their voting decisions based on who best responds to that.
betsuni
(29,078 posts)Maybe you mean anti-Democratic populists making promises that people who don't know how government works believe.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...as young American citizens, they're probably just not worthy of participating in our democracy.
betsuni
(29,078 posts)government works, otherwise all the old people who voted for Trump's populist promises wouldn't have. You should give young people more credit!
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...which thread discussion you're in?
betsuni
(29,078 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 1, 2023, 07:41 AM - Edit history (1)
People who vote for Democrats. This is a forum for supporters of the Democratic Party.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...a discussion specifically about the difficulties that specifically young voters are facing...
Are you just arguing for the sake of arguing?
betsuni
(29,078 posts)is a forum for supporters of the Democratic Party.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...that it is inappropriate for the Democratic Party base to have a discussion (on a forum dedicated to the base) on the possibility of losing a large Democratic voting bloc, then what exactly do you think this forum IS for?
On second thought, never mind. I really don't want to follow whatever new and unrelated direction you would take this conversation by answering that.
betsuni
(29,078 posts)
Response to betsuni (Reply #55)
lapucelle This message was self-deleted by its author.
Hekate
(100,133 posts) 
Sugarcoated
(8,240 posts)Just sayin
betsuni
(29,078 posts)Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)...but I think Betsuni is just a little confused.
Oopsie Daisy
(6,670 posts)NowISeetheLight
(4,002 posts)One huge problem is the crazy cost of education at some schools. For-profit schools push huge loans for programs that don't lead to a decent income. Lok at all the schools that have gone out of business where the government has wiped out loans due to what amounted to fraud.
At least with Income Based Repayment (IBR) it can be manageable. I think they are 10% or 15% of disposable income?
My advice to anyone would be two years of community college (cheap) then transfer to an affordable university in your state (in state tuition). Even better online colleges like Western Governors that are not for profit but fully accredited. Lastly pick a major where there is earning potential
former9thward
(33,424 posts)The IBR plans are 5% of disposable income. For most folks it is practically nothing. Most people complaining have not bothered to look at the options.
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)And it's definitely not coming from our side.
It misses the fact that wages are at historical lows and the cost of education is at an all time high. Why should young people be exploited for getting an education? If countries like Germany have free 4 year education then we can too.
Most people "complaining" are doing so because they can't afford student loan payments..
Jeez, I'm beginning to believe I'm far too young for this website anymore..
Link to tweet
former9thward
(33,424 posts)Maybe that means your side. You did not dispute a single one of my facts. I don't know who the "Debt Collective" is but I would advise going to the official Dept. of Ed. site rather than off the wall sites.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)Unfortunately, Debt Collective's "financials" page does not link to its tax filings.
https://www.influencewatch.org/organization/debt-collective/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Collective's manifesto (Can't Pay, Won't Pay) and its operations manual (The Debt Resisters Operations Manual) are both available for purchase on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Pay-Wont-Disobedience-Abolition/dp/1642592625
https://www.amazon.com/Resisters-Operations-Manual-Common-Notions/dp/1604866799
Elessar Zappa
(16,385 posts)who won’t support Biden because of student loans. For one thing Biden made it 5% of your income that you have to pay instead of 10%. That’s huge. If there are any progressives who’ll sit out because of this issue then they’re fucking idiots who are no better than Trump supporters.
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)The figures you cite aren't a lot when people in other countries like Germany aren't paying student loans because tuition is free.
Young people aren't stupid. It's 2023 and people talk with other people all over the world. They're sick & tired of being exploited for an education while it's not happening to their friends in other countries. It's needless harm being done to them & they want it to go away, and rightfully so.
You can call people names all you'd like but that isn't going to solve the problem nor fix it is it? You're talking about the largest voting bloc & we need to solve this problem immediately because it has siee effects. Imagine, if we make tuition free at 4 year colleges & erase all student loan debt, you'll never see another Republican president in your lifetime.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)Democrats did that.
If your group focuses hard on getting out the vote in every election in all of the states that the 30 "doctor's" [sic] and "researcher's [sic] represent, tuition free state university is more likely to be a reality all over the US.
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=364710
MichMan
(17,151 posts)Right now, in nearly every state, even state colleges are all individually managed and operated with wildly varying tuition costs. Their property and assets are not state owned, and employees are not government employees. It isn't at all like K-12 schools.
In my area, there are three colleges in close geographic proximity. University of Michigan charges $700 per credit hour (in state ) & $2400 per credit hour (out of state) Eastern Michigan Univ. charges $600 and Washtenaw CC charges $170 per credit hour.
If the cost to the student is zero, the student no longer cares how much it is. Why not go to the most expensive colleges (perceived to be "better" ) if you had the choice? Now, If UM can charge $700 per credit, why wouldn't Eastern raise their price to at least $700. For that matter, why wouldn't UM raise theirs to $1000? Students could care less since they are not paying. In fact, many would think that they are getting more for free.
What if someone wanted to attend UM that lived in another state, should the taxpayers be forced to pay the $2400 per credit?
So, how would it be administered?
1) Let people attend any college they like, at whatever they want to charge, with taxpayers being responsible? Might as well give the colleges a blank check.
2) Have the Federal government nationalize the entire college system by buying all the assets, making everyone a federal employee, and charging a set price at all? That doesn't even seem possible.
3) Tell the colleges how much they are allowed to charge and make all colleges figure out how to make that happen, even if they have to cut costs like salaries, facilities and programs, in order to do so?
3) Provide students a set stipend and make them responsible for the rest? Now it's no longer free college anymore. Would colleges be able to continue charging what they like, and would the stipend keep up ?
4) What do you do with private colleges? Are they allowed to be part of the system or not? If not, that would make many of the best known HBCU ineligible since they are private, not public. Would they even be able to attract students paying tuition, if they could go for free somewhere else.
Sugarcoated
(8,240 posts)and concerned
AntivaxHunters
(3,234 posts)How much student loan debt do you have?
BannonsLiver
(20,595 posts)Very. Concerned.
Hekate
(100,133 posts)
Mysterian
(6,486 posts)Very, very stale.
W_HAMILTON
(10,333 posts)How many of these people wanted to shit on Hillary Clinton in 2016, even though they were warned time and time again what would happen if we lost the Supreme Court for a generation?
Biden and the Democrats have tried to cancel a significant portion of student loan debt and it was either blocked by Republicans or overturned by the Republican-hijacked Supreme Court.
If they think the answer is taking it out on Democrats, they are fucking idiots and probably pulled the same childish bullshit in 2016 and now they are whining about the consequences of their actions.
What's their favorite saying? FAFO?
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)You'll need to make a more convincing case.
MichMan
(17,151 posts)All mortgages and auto loans would be invalidated after a few years and no longer collectible?
Response to MichMan (Reply #57)
lapucelle This message was self-deleted by its author.
Shermann
(9,062 posts)Student loans can't be discharged by bankruptcy protection. They must be paid back, or they will follow you forever. Imagine if you could just ghost the bank for three years instead? That's the opposite of that. 
And why would anyone think that a "statute of limitations" would apply to a non-criminal matter? Did the US get debtors' prisons when nobody was looking?