EDITOR:

So, now Joe Biden wants to forgive the debt of a select portion of society. This selection is widely approved by radical liberals, socialists and democrat vote-buyers (who desire to “buy” using other people’s money). Debt is now no longer in the venue of commerce but has entered the realm of politics. There are those who, for some inconceivable reason, believe they should not be obligated to comply with a legally engaged contract and should have others pick up the tab with no consequence to the borrower’s credit rating wish to burden you with the debt.

When education is free… you get what you pay for, and what you (the taxpayer) are paying for is a member(s) of your family (or community if you don’t have children) who will be marginally capable of securing employment in the future. College completion would no longer be rewarded with a diploma and chance for employment, life fulfillment and understanding of the meaning of “fiscal responsibility”, but rather a mass-printed “participation award” and the expectation that it may actually have value to a future employer. Remember, the “employer” makes the final decision on choice of employee.

If anyone knows of a government program suddenly becoming a “freebie” or “handout” and later having it rescinded, I’d like to know. Reducing or eliminating student debt has the unintended consequence of having the student demonstrate little motivation to succeed since they have no “skin in the game”.

I taught evening courses in science, business and visual arts at Lansing Community College for 20 years. My experience with students proved that those who had to foot the bill themselves or with minimal financial assistance were motivated to succeed, and did. Those with loans, grants or “special” assistance would, in general, demonstrate minimal motivation and obtained significantly lower grades. It was easy to discern into which category these students fell.

Shifting responsibility for incurred obligations is a difficult “ethic” to accept. I recall a discussion with my fellow employees at the electricity provider for the city of Lansing – “how do we get payments from people who don’t pay their electric bills… we charge people who do pay even more”. Got some laughs for that inequity! Now it seems ready for acceptance in our country.

I have debts to pay after entering into a contract which I believed could be accommodated by my financial abilities during the contract period. I budgeted for this prior to signing. If I default because my car turns out to be a lemon, my boat leaks or my porch collapsed, I don’t expect someone else to assume the balance of my debt. So should it be with all obligations. I should not be, nor shall I be responsible for someone else’s choices for a poorly anticipated return-on-investment in education.

If you agree with Biden, his minions in government and other “irresponsibles” of a socialist mentality then… You, Own, This.

Michael A. Glass

Nahma