Democrats Suddenly Against Student Debt Sales, Now That They're Not Doing It
The Hill reports Democrats are up in arms over Trump's alleged plan to sell off the government's student loan portfolio, framing it as a threat to borrowers. This sudden outrage is curious, given President Obama's administration, largely dominated by Democrats, effectively nationalized student lending in 2010 through the Affordable Care Act, ending private bank involvement and making the
government the primary lender. Now, after years of record student debt accumulation under both parties, transferring the 'burden' back to the private sector is suddenly a bridge too far for the same party that facilitated this government lending? It’s a classic Washington bait-and-switch: nationalize the asset when it looks like a good idea, then scream bloody murder when the other side suggests
privatizing the liability. The real question isn't who sells the debt, but why neither party has genuinely tackled the predatory higher education system that creates it. One might wonder if the concern is truly for the students, or for maintaining a lever of influence.