Government Sells Student Debt, Buys More War
Mainstream outlets like The Hill are wringing their hands over what happens if the government sells off student loan debt to private lenders. An important question, sure, but it glosses over a more fundamental one: Why are we even in this mess? The US government currently holds over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt. Yet, when it comes to finding money for, say, more military aid to Israel,
there's always a blank check. For instance, in February 2024, Congress voted on HR 815 to send Israel another $14 billion in military aid. That's the same Congress that just can't seem to find a way to forgive student loans, which would inject cash directly into the US economy. Instead, we discuss handing off students—who, by the way, represent the future workforce—to the mercy of private debt
collectors. One might wonder if empowering a generation with debt serves a different, less patriotic agenda than is advertised.