Debt-free college: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand

[Ray From Cleveland]

But living at home for a few years can help a kid save and then they have a nest egg. Capitalism is all about the dollar. Kids want to make lots of money. Can we blame them? Our society is all about the buck.

So they could save money
while their parents pay the costs

I don't think there is anything wrong with parents helping their kids out even into their young adult age. Most of them pay their own way. But for an extended period of time, that's ridiculous.

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband became a drug addict and quit paying on their house. She has two younger children and a 19 year old. The 19 year old sits at home and plays video games all day. She has no idea what she's going to do in the future and how she will be able to afford another home in the suburb her kids are going to school. That's ridiculous.

He should be working full time and make plans on where they are going to move next when the bank forecloses. IF he's going to live at home, at the very least, split the bills with his mother.

 

[initforme]

Living within your means in today's America may very well mean one can't afford to live on one's own until a substantial savings is built. I see this as being responsible and if it means living at home for awhile nothing bad about it.

 

[Andylusion]

There are very few options for a high school graduate in today's America.

I just don't believe that. Just factually not true.

Now it is true that people with only a high school degree do in fact tend to struggle, but that is more a function of them not wanting to do what is required to succeed, more than a lack of 'options'. There are millions of options in this country.

You can start driving a tractor trailer, in 4 weeks, and start off making $30,000 a year, and be making $50,000 a year by the end of the year.

There are millions of jobs that you can make a middle class income. But it takes effort and hard work.

1-800-GOT-JUNK, was started by a high school kid and $900 pickup truck.
But picking up junk is hard work, and thus most people don't want to do it. But that's how you end up with a multi-million dollar company.

A dozen of my relatives all don't have degrees, and they all make really good cash. One works on electrical systems under the city. Of course it's hard work, and climbing down into the disgusting tunnels and holes under the city is not fun, so most don't want to do it. But he's making almost 6-figures.

We had a guy come and do brick work on my parents house. He never went to college, he just learned how to lay bricks. He's making $22/hr roughly based on the job. (self-employed) But you are outside under the sun, and you are working.

The problem isn't that people don't have options. The problem is people don't want to work.

I myself have no degree whatsoever, and I'm not struggling. But the difference is obvious. When I'm at work, I'm working, and working hard. I get my stuff done. I come in, work from that time I start, until the time I leave. When needed I skip lunch. When required I don't go to break.

I watch people come in all the time, and they sit around from 7:30 AM, until 8 AM doing nothing, but talking. And they never miss a break. Never miss a lunch. And they leave right at 4 PM, like the place was burning down.

Who is going to promote someone that lazy? Who is going to give that person an opportunity? Doesn't matter if they have degree or not, they are not going anywhere. They'll be struggling with their low wages until they die.

That's the problem. The problem is work ethic. You get these people to work, and they'll stop struggling so much.

Heck, you can buy a $50 lawn mower, and double your income. But you have to get your butt mowing. You have to be out in the heat, and getting the job done. It really is that simple.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Living within your means in today's America may very well mean one can't afford to live on one's own until a substantial savings is built. I see this as being responsible and if it means living at home for awhile nothing bad about it.

Thats utter bullshit!
Get a fuken roommate,or two if necasary.
And again,what does an 85 year old know about todays job market?

 

[rightwinger]

Get out and do what? On 35 grand a year it would be tough. If they live at home for a few years they can save and not go into debt.

I make $50,000 a year now, and I am the supervisor! I have a newer car, 2000 square foot home on an acre of land, and I am doing fine.

That sucks

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Get out and do what? On 35 grand a year it would be tough. If they live at home for a few years they can save and not go into debt.

I make $50,000 a year now, and I am the supervisor! I have a newer car, 2000 square foot home on an acre of land, and I am doing fine.

That sucks

Why does that suck?

 

[Wyatt earp]

Get out and do what? On 35 grand a year it would be tough. If they live at home for a few years they can save and not go into debt.

I make $50,000 a year now, and I am the supervisor! I have a newer car, 2000 square foot home on an acre of land, and I am doing fine.

That sucks

Why does that suck?

He pays 2 grand a month for a 300 sq ft closet in New Jersey

 

[keepitreal]

But living at home for a few years can help a kid save and then they have a nest egg. Capitalism is all about the dollar. Kids want to make lots of money. Can we blame them? Our society is all about the buck.

So they could save money
while their parents pay the costs

I don't think there is anything wrong with parents helping their kids out even into their young adult age. Most of them pay their own way. But for an extended period of time, that's ridiculous.

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband became a drug addict and quit paying on their house. She has two younger children and a 19 year old. The 19 year old sits at home and plays video games all day. She has no idea what she's going to do in the future and how she will be able to afford another home in the suburb her kids are going to school. That's ridiculous.

He should be working full time and make plans on where they are going to move next when the bank forecloses. IF he's going to live at home, at the very least, split the bills with his mother.

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband became a drug addict and quit paying on their house. She has two younger children and a 19 year old. The 19 year old sits at home and plays video games all day. She has no idea what she's going to do in the future and how she will be able to afford another home in the suburb her kids are going to school. That's ridiculous.

The husband didn’t become a drug addict overnight
so why didn’t she already get a plan together
and why wasn’t she paying the house note?

If she can’t afford a house then she rents,
what’s ridiculous is worrying about getting another house
after letting your other house go into foreclosure

He should be working full time and make plans on where they are going to move next when the bank forecloses. IF he's going to live at home, at the very least, split the bills with his mother.

I disagree, he shouldn’t have to take on his fathers role
and she shouldn’t put that responsibility on him

Help her out, sure...split the bills, no

 

[initforme]

I have 4 kids currently in the work world. They all have college degrees. Of course I gave them NO other options upon graduation. They had to continue their educations. They inform me of what it's like in the God forsaken rat race. I have 10 grandkids...every one who has graduated is in or graduated from college.

 

[McRocket]

'A clear divide exists among 2020 presidential Democrats who are rolling out plans to tackle the student debt crisis, whether tuition-free or debt-free policies are the way to win voter support.

By the numbers: Student debt in the United States has reached $1.5 trillion, and is responsible for much of millennials and generation Z's anguish.

In Congress

• Congressional committees have launched hearings to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which looks to discuss more affordability in college costs, student loan programs and more. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) reintroduced legislation to help students become debt free within 5 years of graduating.

Tuition free
These programs provide students 2 years of free tuition at participating state community colleges, associate-degree programs and vocational schools. The majority fall into the category of "last dollar" scholarships, indicating the program pays the difference in tuition after financial aid and grants have kicked in, per CNBC.

• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is still running on his 2016 campaign promise to make college tuition free and debt free. In 2016, Sanders introduced a bill called the "College for All Act," making public college tuition-free to students through a partnership between the federal government.
• Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro supports tuition-free college.
• Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) wants to eliminate tuition and fees at 4-year public colleges and universities. She also supports free community college tuition for everyone.
• New-age spiritual guru Marianne Williamson supports universal pre-school and free college.

Debt free
This idea aims to cover the costs associated with attending public college without requiring students to take out loans, by establishing federal matches for state spending on higher education and using those funds to fill unmet need for people pursuing degrees

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is running her campaign on students being debt free by using proceeds from her wealth tax. Warren is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. She has sponsored and co-sponsored several others including one in 2014 that allowed federal student loan borrowers to refinance their debt at a lower interest rate.
• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.): She believes universal pre-K and college should be a "fundamental right," to be debt-free, The Atlantic reports. She is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill.
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.): Introduced a bill in 2018 for baby bonds, which attempted to close the racial-wealth gap in education. Booker is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill.
• Former Texas representative Beto O’Rourke has supported debt-free ideals. In 2018, he tweeted: "We should allow Texans who commit to working in in-demand fields and in underserved communities the chance to graduate debt free." O`Rourke co-sponsored Student Loan Affordability Act until 2015.
• Former tech executive Andrew Yang: Debt forgiveness plans and loan repayment plans, according to his campaign website.

Refinance student loans

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) rejected the idea of tuition-free college at a CNN town hall, but called for has called for free 2-year community college degrees. She offered up the idea to refinance loans and expand Pell grants.
• Former representative John Delaney has called for reforming bankruptcy laws so student loan debt can be discharged like all other debts as well as refinancing.

Mixed statements

• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. In February, she tweeted she'd "allow all students to refinance their loans at 4%" if she were elected president.'

Debt-free college: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand


I can understand universal healthcare and the $15 minimum wage (I don't fully agree with them - but I can certainly understand the logic behind them).

But this is just bat shit nuts.

No one put a fucking gun to these students heads to go massively into debt...it was 100% their choosing. Why the 'f' do students suddenly deserve to have their tuition paid off by taxpayers? Why this generation and not previous generations? And what makes student loans more important then mortgages? Or business loans? Why have taxpayers pay off student loans but do nothing for low income people with heavy mortgages/debts or business loans (NOT that I am for paying those off either - but at least they make far more sense then just paying off student loans)? What is fucking next? Progressives want taxpayers to pay off their credit cards? Car payments? Gambling debts?

This is progressives being flat out selfish. Many progressives are under 30 with HUGE student debt. So naturally their first thought is themselves.

I will say it again - HELLO? You people voluntarily took the huge student loans. You have no one to blame for them but yourselves. They are 100% YOUR responsibility. Stop pawning your bad decisions on to the rest of America. You fucked up - you get yourselves out of it. It's called 'taking responsibility for your actions'. DUH.

Good post.

I think the winning position is to have a system like Social Security except in reverse....

If you want....you can go to school for the equivalent of 60 semester hours ( Associate's Degree) up front. This doesn't need to be at a formal college with a quad, study hall, etc... If you want to use it at UTI or University of Phoenix or at the local beauty academy...feel free. There will be a monetary value tied to it and you get that money up front to get some vocational training or have a college experience or whatever.

Then over the next 40 years of your life...you pay that back by having money taken out of your paychecks (not to exceed $100 per paycheck) plus a small percentage interest.

So if you're 18 and graduating tomorrow, you have the first 2 years (60 hours) of college/trade school paid for in advance. This includes tuition, books, fees (not housing or meals).

If you're a 26-40 y/o no-life loser doing nothing, you get 2 years (60 hours) of college/trade school paid for in advance. However, your payback is going to be accelerated since you likely won't have a 40 year work life in front of you.

If you've completed some college already, you can apply these funds to finish your studies or at least knock out a chunk of it.

If you're mid-career and are looking to make a change either to a new career or enhance your skills, you're able to use this program without the accelerated pay-back. So if you're a welder and want to learn underwater welding...you can do that and pay it back later. If you have a dead -end job in internal audit at a hospital (lol), you can perhaps take a nursing course and become more fulfilled. This would be based no your previous work history and track record...so the government isn't taking a really bad risk of you not paying off it's investment.

And for those who are late in their careers, there is an exception where studies will be either at a reduced costs or they will be tied to your SS payments thus far.

The good news is that it's something for everyone. If you want to take a course that doesn't tie directly into a career...you can but remember you're on the hook for the pay-back. If you want to take 60 hours of dodgeball...feel free...but you're on the hook for the payback. If you are using it for career advancement or technical training...you can certainly pay it back sooner and not have deductions per paycheck.

Impressive. You really thought this through.

I am not against the government helping people go to college...at all. Just so long as they pay it back later.

Apparently, Bernie Sanders free college plan would include free room/board/expenses for all lower income students. Well, you probably know what that means...party time. Almost every young, broke teenager out of high school who has no idea what he/she wants to do - will just go to college for four yours absolutely free. Get a part time job for beer money, take easy courses and party for four years. It will be a 'right of passage'....all on the taxpayers dime. Most won't care what the degree is...just so long as it is easy.
There will be MASSIVE abuse of the system...and I would not blame the students one bit.

In fact - who would NOT go - not that many? You're living on the streets? Go to college for four years, take anything and have food/shelter/living expenses taken care of. Single mothers. Substance abusers. Seniors with little income (I went to university with a senior citizen - gutsy lady she was).
It would be glorified welfare.

I know (assume) progressives mean well. But why do they simply refuse to see that the larger the government program - the larger the abuse of that program?

 

[initforme]

All ten grandkids will do nothing but get educated...my instructions live on in our family.

 

[Meister]

'A clear divide exists among 2020 presidential Democrats who are rolling out plans to tackle the student debt crisis, whether tuition-free or debt-free policies are the way to win voter support.

By the numbers: Student debt in the United States has reached $1.5 trillion, and is responsible for much of millennials and generation Z's anguish.

In Congress

• Congressional committees have launched hearings to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which looks to discuss more affordability in college costs, student loan programs and more. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) reintroduced legislation to help students become debt free within 5 years of graduating.

Tuition free
These programs provide students 2 years of free tuition at participating state community colleges, associate-degree programs and vocational schools. The majority fall into the category of "last dollar" scholarships, indicating the program pays the difference in tuition after financial aid and grants have kicked in, per CNBC.

• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is still running on his 2016 campaign promise to make college tuition free and debt free. In 2016, Sanders introduced a bill called the "College for All Act," making public college tuition-free to students through a partnership between the federal government.
• Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro supports tuition-free college.
• Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) wants to eliminate tuition and fees at 4-year public colleges and universities. She also supports free community college tuition for everyone.
• New-age spiritual guru Marianne Williamson supports universal pre-school and free college.

Debt free
This idea aims to cover the costs associated with attending public college without requiring students to take out loans, by establishing federal matches for state spending on higher education and using those funds to fill unmet need for people pursuing degrees

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is running her campaign on students being debt free by using proceeds from her wealth tax. Warren is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. She has sponsored and co-sponsored several others including one in 2014 that allowed federal student loan borrowers to refinance their debt at a lower interest rate.
• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.): She believes universal pre-K and college should be a "fundamental right," to be debt-free, The Atlantic reports. She is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill.
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.): Introduced a bill in 2018 for baby bonds, which attempted to close the racial-wealth gap in education. Booker is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill.
• Former Texas representative Beto O’Rourke has supported debt-free ideals. In 2018, he tweeted: "We should allow Texans who commit to working in in-demand fields and in underserved communities the chance to graduate debt free." O`Rourke co-sponsored Student Loan Affordability Act until 2015.
• Former tech executive Andrew Yang: Debt forgiveness plans and loan repayment plans, according to his campaign website.

Refinance student loans

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) rejected the idea of tuition-free college at a CNN town hall, but called for has called for free 2-year community college degrees. She offered up the idea to refinance loans and expand Pell grants.
• Former representative John Delaney has called for reforming bankruptcy laws so student loan debt can be discharged like all other debts as well as refinancing.

Mixed statements

• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. In February, she tweeted she'd "allow all students to refinance their loans at 4%" if she were elected president.'

Debt-free college: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand


I can understand universal healthcare and the $15 minimum wage (I don't fully agree with them - but I can certainly understand the logic behind them).

But this is just bat shit nuts.

No one put a fucking gun to these students heads to go massively into debt...it was 100% their choosing. Why the 'f' do students suddenly deserve to have their tuition paid off by taxpayers? Why this generation and not previous generations? And what makes student loans more important then mortgages? Or business loans? Why have taxpayers pay off student loans but do nothing for low income people with heavy mortgages/debts or business loans (NOT that I am for paying those off either - but at least they make far more sense then just paying off student loans)? What is fucking next? Progressives want taxpayers to pay off their credit cards? Car payments? Gambling debts?

This is progressives being flat out selfish. Many progressives are under 30 with HUGE student debt. So naturally their first thought is themselves.

I will say it again - HELLO? You people voluntarily took the huge student loans. You have no one to blame for them but yourselves. They are 100% YOUR responsibility. Stop pawning your bad decisions on to the rest of America. You fucked up - you get yourselves out of it. It's called 'taking responsibility for your actions'. DUH.

I can only imagine how much the cost of a college education would skyrocket if the government gave FREE tuition.
I witnessed how the tuition skyrocketed when the government took over the student loan business.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Living within your means in today's America may very well mean one can't afford to live on one's own until a substantial savings is built. I see this as being responsible and if it means living at home for awhile nothing bad about it.

Thats utter bullshit!
Get a fuken roommate,or two if necasary.
And again,what does an 85 year old know about todays job market?

He runs 10Ks, so that is all the experience he needs to know that the rest of us are fat slobs who should live with their parents.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I have 4 kids currently in the work world. They all have college degrees. Of course I gave them NO other options upon graduation. They had to continue their educations. They inform me of what it's like in the God forsaken rat race. I have 10 grandkids...every one who has graduated is in or graduated from college.

Your kids are retirement age!

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

There are very few options for a high school graduate in today's America.

I just don't believe that. Just factually not true.

Now it is true that people with only a high school degree do in fact tend to struggle, but that is more a function of them not wanting to do what is required to succeed, more than a lack of 'options'. There are millions of options in this country.

You can start driving a tractor trailer, in 4 weeks, and start off making $30,000 a year, and be making $50,000 a year by the end of the year.

There are millions of jobs that you can make a middle class income. But it takes effort and hard work.

1-800-GOT-JUNK, was started by a high school kid and $900 pickup truck.
But picking up junk is hard work, and thus most people don't want to do it. But that's how you end up with a multi-million dollar company.

A dozen of my relatives all don't have degrees, and they all make really good cash. One works on electrical systems under the city. Of course it's hard work, and climbing down into the disgusting tunnels and holes under the city is not fun, so most don't want to do it. But he's making almost 6-figures.

We had a guy come and do brick work on my parents house. He never went to college, he just learned how to lay bricks. He's making $22/hr roughly based on the job. (self-employed) But you are outside under the sun, and you are working.

The problem isn't that people don't have options. The problem is people don't want to work.

I myself have no degree whatsoever, and I'm not struggling. But the difference is obvious. When I'm at work, I'm working, and working hard. I get my stuff done. I come in, work from that time I start, until the time I leave. When needed I skip lunch. When required I don't go to break.

I watch people come in all the time, and they sit around from 7:30 AM, until 8 AM doing nothing, but talking. And they never miss a break. Never miss a lunch. And they leave right at 4 PM, like the place was burning down.

Who is going to promote someone that lazy? Who is going to give that person an opportunity? Doesn't matter if they have degree or not, they are not going anywhere. They'll be struggling with their low wages until they die.

That's the problem. The problem is work ethic. You get these people to work, and they'll stop struggling so much.

Heck, you can buy a $50 lawn mower, and double your income. But you have to get your butt mowing. You have to be out in the heat, and getting the job done. It really is that simple.

Your comments remind me of a story I read years ago after the Reagan recession.

Like millions of Americans at the time, this guy lost his job. Living on unemployment and feeling hopeless, he wanted to do something where he'd never be in that position again. He had no idea what that would be without an extensive education or investments.

One day after he let his dogs in, he had to do the chore he hated the most, and that was going outside and cleaning up after them. That's when a lightbulb lit over his head. If he didn't like doing that, maybe there are other people who felt the same way!

He went to a print shop and had flyers made. He started his own dog poop company. He had a pickup truck, he had a shovel, now all he needed was for somebody to pay him to clean up their yard.

Before he knew it, he was getting customers by the day. He was eventually working ten hours per day and had to hire another person for the additional overflow. American ingenuity at work and a desire to be successful.

 

[initforme]

Yes the oldest is going to retire this fall. Life goes fast. Don't waste it working too much. Lol

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Yes the oldest is going to retire this fall. Life goes fast. Don't waste it working too much. Lol

Thanks for admitting that your point was in fact pointless!

 

[initforme]

Not pointless. I've got family in the game. Don't judge.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

But living at home for a few years can help a kid save and then they have a nest egg. Capitalism is all about the dollar. Kids want to make lots of money. Can we blame them? Our society is all about the buck.

So they could save money
while their parents pay the costs

I don't think there is anything wrong with parents helping their kids out even into their young adult age. Most of them pay their own way. But for an extended period of time, that's ridiculous.

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband became a drug addict and quit paying on their house. She has two younger children and a 19 year old. The 19 year old sits at home and plays video games all day. She has no idea what she's going to do in the future and how she will be able to afford another home in the suburb her kids are going to school. That's ridiculous.

He should be working full time and make plans on where they are going to move next when the bank forecloses. IF he's going to live at home, at the very least, split the bills with his mother.

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband became a drug addict and quit paying on their house. She has two younger children and a 19 year old. The 19 year old sits at home and plays video games all day. She has no idea what she's going to do in the future and how she will be able to afford another home in the suburb her kids are going to school. That's ridiculous.

The husband didn’t become a drug addict overnight
so why didn’t she already get a plan together
and why wasn’t she paying the house note?

If she can’t afford a house then she rents,
what’s ridiculous is worrying about getting another house
after letting your other house go into foreclosure

He should be working full time and make plans on where they are going to move next when the bank forecloses. IF he's going to live at home, at the very least, split the bills with his mother.

I disagree, he shouldn’t have to take on his fathers role
and she shouldn’t put that responsibility on him

Help her out, sure...split the bills, no

She was a stay at home wife. Her husband had his own business, but she never realized how he was making the real money. He paid for everything and she raised the children.

She never realized the situation until he got busted by the cops. That's when the story all unfolded. He got a DUI and possession charge with intent to sell. He's going to jail, and she has no real job experience because she lived the life of a stay at home mother.

Yes, it is partly her fault, even she admits that now. But she's in a bad situation she didn't create for herself. I think her son should get a job and bring home some bucks to help support the family. After all, that's what people used to do years ago.

My father quit school in the 9th grade for just that reason; to help support his siblings. It was pretty common back then when people died at a much younger age than today.

 

[candycorn]

'A clear divide exists among 2020 presidential Democrats who are rolling out plans to tackle the student debt crisis, whether tuition-free or debt-free policies are the way to win voter support.

By the numbers: Student debt in the United States has reached $1.5 trillion, and is responsible for much of millennials and generation Z's anguish.

In Congress

• Congressional committees have launched hearings to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which looks to discuss more affordability in college costs, student loan programs and more. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) reintroduced legislation to help students become debt free within 5 years of graduating.

Tuition free
These programs provide students 2 years of free tuition at participating state community colleges, associate-degree programs and vocational schools. The majority fall into the category of "last dollar" scholarships, indicating the program pays the difference in tuition after financial aid and grants have kicked in, per CNBC.

• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is still running on his 2016 campaign promise to make college tuition free and debt free. In 2016, Sanders introduced a bill called the "College for All Act," making public college tuition-free to students through a partnership between the federal government.
• Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro supports tuition-free college.
• Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) wants to eliminate tuition and fees at 4-year public colleges and universities. She also supports free community college tuition for everyone.
• New-age spiritual guru Marianne Williamson supports universal pre-school and free college.

Debt free
This idea aims to cover the costs associated with attending public college without requiring students to take out loans, by establishing federal matches for state spending on higher education and using those funds to fill unmet need for people pursuing degrees

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is running her campaign on students being debt free by using proceeds from her wealth tax. Warren is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. She has sponsored and co-sponsored several others including one in 2014 that allowed federal student loan borrowers to refinance their debt at a lower interest rate.
• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.): She believes universal pre-K and college should be a "fundamental right," to be debt-free, The Atlantic reports. She is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill.
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.): Introduced a bill in 2018 for baby bonds, which attempted to close the racial-wealth gap in education. Booker is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill.
• Former Texas representative Beto O’Rourke has supported debt-free ideals. In 2018, he tweeted: "We should allow Texans who commit to working in in-demand fields and in underserved communities the chance to graduate debt free." O`Rourke co-sponsored Student Loan Affordability Act until 2015.
• Former tech executive Andrew Yang: Debt forgiveness plans and loan repayment plans, according to his campaign website.

Refinance student loans

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) rejected the idea of tuition-free college at a CNN town hall, but called for has called for free 2-year community college degrees. She offered up the idea to refinance loans and expand Pell grants.
• Former representative John Delaney has called for reforming bankruptcy laws so student loan debt can be discharged like all other debts as well as refinancing.

Mixed statements

• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is a co-sponsor for the Schatz-Pocan bill and the Sanders bill. In February, she tweeted she'd "allow all students to refinance their loans at 4%" if she were elected president.'

Debt-free college: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand


I can understand universal healthcare and the $15 minimum wage (I don't fully agree with them - but I can certainly understand the logic behind them).

But this is just bat shit nuts.

No one put a fucking gun to these students heads to go massively into debt...it was 100% their choosing. Why the 'f' do students suddenly deserve to have their tuition paid off by taxpayers? Why this generation and not previous generations? And what makes student loans more important then mortgages? Or business loans? Why have taxpayers pay off student loans but do nothing for low income people with heavy mortgages/debts or business loans (NOT that I am for paying those off either - but at least they make far more sense then just paying off student loans)? What is fucking next? Progressives want taxpayers to pay off their credit cards? Car payments? Gambling debts?

This is progressives being flat out selfish. Many progressives are under 30 with HUGE student debt. So naturally their first thought is themselves.

I will say it again - HELLO? You people voluntarily took the huge student loans. You have no one to blame for them but yourselves. They are 100% YOUR responsibility. Stop pawning your bad decisions on to the rest of America. You fucked up - you get yourselves out of it. It's called 'taking responsibility for your actions'. DUH.

Good post.

I think the winning position is to have a system like Social Security except in reverse....

If you want....you can go to school for the equivalent of 60 semester hours ( Associate's Degree) up front. This doesn't need to be at a formal college with a quad, study hall, etc... If you want to use it at UTI or University of Phoenix or at the local beauty academy...feel free. There will be a monetary value tied to it and you get that money up front to get some vocational training or have a college experience or whatever.

Then over the next 40 years of your life...you pay that back by having money taken out of your paychecks (not to exceed $100 per paycheck) plus a small percentage interest.

So if you're 18 and graduating tomorrow, you have the first 2 years (60 hours) of college/trade school paid for in advance. This includes tuition, books, fees (not housing or meals).

If you're a 26-40 y/o no-life loser doing nothing, you get 2 years (60 hours) of college/trade school paid for in advance. However, your payback is going to be accelerated since you likely won't have a 40 year work life in front of you.

If you've completed some college already, you can apply these funds to finish your studies or at least knock out a chunk of it.

If you're mid-career and are looking to make a change either to a new career or enhance your skills, you're able to use this program without the accelerated pay-back. So if you're a welder and want to learn underwater welding...you can do that and pay it back later. If you have a dead -end job in internal audit at a hospital (lol), you can perhaps take a nursing course and become more fulfilled. This would be based no your previous work history and track record...so the government isn't taking a really bad risk of you not paying off it's investment.

And for those who are late in their careers, there is an exception where studies will be either at a reduced costs or they will be tied to your SS payments thus far.

The good news is that it's something for everyone. If you want to take a course that doesn't tie directly into a career...you can but remember you're on the hook for the pay-back. If you want to take 60 hours of dodgeball...feel free...but you're on the hook for the payback. If you are using it for career advancement or technical training...you can certainly pay it back sooner and not have deductions per paycheck.

Impressive. You really thought this through.

I am not against the government helping people go to college...at all. Just so long as they pay it back later.

Apparently, Bernie Sanders free college plan would include free room/board/expenses for all lower income students. Well, you probably know what that means...party time. Almost every young, broke teenager out of high school who has no idea what he/she wants to do - will just go to college for four yours absolutely free. Get a part time job for beer money, take easy courses and party for four years. It will be a 'right of passage'....all on the taxpayers dime. Most won't care what the degree is...just so long as it is easy.
There will be MASSIVE abuse of the system...and I would not blame the students one bit.

In fact - who would NOT go - not that many? You're living on the streets? Go to college for four years, take anything and have food/shelter/living expenses taken care of. Single mothers. Substance abusers. Seniors with little income (I went to university with a senior citizen - gutsy lady she was).
It would be glorified welfare.

I know (assume) progressives mean well. But why do they simply refuse to see that the larger the government program - the larger the abuse of that program?

I can't argue with any of that. Sacrifice-free welfare schemes are the new black.