Those who seek knowledge suffer from the sin of despair and frustration

This excellent piece by James Howard Kunstler is a MUST READ. (Kunstler is the author of the Long Emergency). There is a specific paragraph about the housing market and toxic mortgages, and there is a clear link to what's happening in that sector to that of the student lending industry. For instance, do you know that Deutsche Bank invests in student loan debt in the stock market? Does anyone wish to discuss the repercussions of the fact that our private loans are being swapped and packaged at the global level? What happens when those private loans become toxic? I have been digging for months and reading about a lot of these private loans - some companies are doing very well, while other companies are going belly-up. But I think there is a clear trend: private loans are becoming more toxic than they ever had been in the past. The consequences of this happening are catastrophic, and I fear that I may never be able to return to my home and make an honest living. 

Homesickness and despair sets in . . . We are heading into darker times.

 

Those who seek knowledge suffer from the sin of despair.

Private Debt Swap Proposal

I am on a grueling schedule as a new teacher in Korea. My first official day doesn't start until Monday (I've been in intense training these past two weeks), but am excited to be teaching again.

Despite this demanding schedule and adjusting to an entirely new culture (not to mention the worst bout of jet leg I've ever experienced - in fact, I am still feeling its after affects), I have managed to stay on EST and continue advocating for the indentured educated class.

For instance, a few days ago I touched base with the Education Policy Staffer at Sen. Sherrod Brown's office by phone. I wanted to catch up with her and inquire about the private student loan debt swap. Many of you viewed the proposal after I provided a link on my Facebook. There were mixed reactions to this proposal.

On top of this contact, many of you sent your letters that we sent via snail mail to the White House electronically this past week. Thank you so much for following up on this second step. For those of you who have yet to send your letters electronically, please do so ASAP. The email address is public@who.eop.gov.

Here was my letter to provide a general template (feel free to use your own introduction to Mr. Rodriguez - I am just offering a quick opening, because I know many of you have families, several jobs, and so many other priorities):

Hi, all,

It takes quite a bit of time for letters to arrive - thanks to that Anthrax scare a few years ago, letters are scanned and so forth . . . so, I have put up a request on FB to send your letters via email to the following email address: public@who.eop.gov

Also, please cc Sec. Arne Duncan ( arne.duncan@ed.gov) and Deputy Under Secretary Robert Shireman (robert.shireman@ed.gov).

Just add a quick note at the top (I pasted my letter in the body of the email) like this:
Dear Mr. Rodriquez: I am a member of the indentured educated class. Recently, we carried out a letter writing campaign with the help of Ms. C. Cryn Johannsen. She is an advocate for student loan debtors and helped draft a general letter of concern about the student lending crisis and the indentured educated class. Please find my copy below.

In any event, I just wanted to provide an update.

Bravery is bright - HuffPost project on sharing your story about student loan debt

Those of you who have been following my work here know that I have been posting testimonials for months (see here, here, and here - there are more if you explore older pieces, and you'll see that I worked tirelessly for one particular group). I want to thank all of you for sharing - it is brave to do such a thing, and I respect all of you for telling us such personal things about your daily travails as an indentured educated soul. Thank you again. I am continually astonished by your honesty, your kindness, and willingness to participate in this major struggle.

Moreover, there are several filmmakers with whom I met before departing for Asia who are collecting people's stories and creating documentaries. So it is great to see this much anticipated project at the HuffPost appear today (I was aware of this work, but wasn't sure when it was coming out).

One of the best things about this piece? Going after the 23k average. Bravo. This number is manufactured primarily by the COLLEGE BOARD, and I hope all of you join the Facebook Group - STOP QUOTING THE COLLEGE BOARD.  I also encourage you to join the Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class.

Finally, several of you have expressed an interest in being featured here - in the same way - and I apologize for my delayed responses to your notes. Rest assured, I will be in touch soon and hope that you still wish to share your testimonials here.

Those who are the bravest understand the true meaning of social justice. We do this not just for ourselves, but for our community, for our country. We will not be bound by injustice. We will not be the indentured educated class much longer. Let's keep up the good fight!

WHY ISN'T THE HILL INVESTIGATING THIS SITUATION? ANSWER ME THAT.

As many of you know, I spoke to Mary Pilon several weeks ago about the student lending crisis. We had a good talk for nearly an hour, and I put her in touch with student loan defaulters (a number of you agreed to speak with her and share your personal stories - thanks so much for being willing to discuss such a personal topic). Ms. Pilon informed me that she'd be writing several pieces, and I am glad that someone else is interested in discussing this issue that I've been writing about for months and months and months (I had hoped she would've mentioned my name solely for the purpose of letting student loan debtors know that there is an advocate out there as well as a community of people to whom they can turn). Moreover, so many of you have been sharing and discussing the issue and possible solutions too. We've been sending letters to our representatives, Sec. Duncan, and the White House. I've had some opportunities to ask the White House direct questions during phone conferences, and also been in touch with Sen. Sherrod Brown's education staffer.

In any event, she put out piece entitled, "The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden," and here's my question for THE HILL - why don't you care about this type of story? Seriously, why do you continue to overlook the student lending crisis? INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM NOW. That's my demand. Sure, you can ignore me, because I guess I'm just "blogging" about it, but enough is enough. Honestly, your lack of attention to the student lending crisis makes me sick.

This problem is a joke. It's an absolute joke, especially when you think about higher education in the U.S. and its level of cost in comparison to other countries. Do you people really think we're going to continue to be world leaders if you allow a system to turn those who are educated into indentured servants? I mean, come on . . . In addition, those who know any better will simply FLEE the country for better opportunities abroad (not only that, there are NO jobs in the U.S., so that kinda kills the b---s--t claim that going into debt for a degree is so-called "good debt.") I have already met others from the Ivies in Korea. They have been lured away for better job possibilities in Asia. LISTEN TO ME.

You have these two things people:

(1) The new American class - the indentured educated class, who can't BUY homes, HAVE children, etc., etc.
(2) Major brain drain - countries like Korea (that's only one example) are hungry to hire the best and the brightest from OUR best schools.

I don't think I need to be any clearer on this problem.  

Please put these two things together and think about the ramifications of these components at the global level - it's not good for America.

Cheers from outside of my homeland . . .

Want to share your student loan debt story?

This blog is being read on the Hill and elsewhere, so I am asking people to share their stories with me and hundreds and hundreds of others here (higher education policy analysts, journalists who are finally catching on and writing about the student lending crisis (!), staffers on the Hill, folks in the White House, and - most importantly - the indentured educated class. I think it's critical to let the latter group know that they aren't alone).

SPEAK UP, SING LOUD, AND EMBRACE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE AN INDENTURED EDUCATED CITIZEN (FOR NOW) AS A RESULT OF A LEGALIZED LOAN SHARKING INDUSTRY!

A NEW LIGHT OF SPRING HAS ARRIVED: WHAT WAS ONCE JUST A SHIMMERING TWILIGHT OF A REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT HAS NOW TURNED INTO BRIGHT DAWN , AND WE'RE DEMANDING  FOR SOCIOECONOMIC EQUALITY FOR THE CURRENT POPULATION WHO ARE THE INDENTURED EDUCATED CLASS. This struggle - that of true financial oppression - is not about our gender, our class,  or our race  (although those who are poor and from certain minority backgrounds suffer more than their "Caucasian" brothers and sisters), and we must unify to overcome legalized loan sharking. The opportunity for change exists, so we must continue to appeal to the Obama Administration.

So, back to the mundane . . . if you are interested in sharing your story, let me know! Write me here (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com), and tell me what you'd like to contribute. I'll send you some questions and ask that you submit a picture with your response piece. Don't worry, it can be completely anonymous. Moreover, I am very flexible, so if you wish to deviate from a Q&A format, I'm more than happy to hear your proposal - we can discuss over a virtual coffee).

As many who have already submitted their pieces can contest, they've received emails from their local state representatives. Let your voice(s) be heard!

 

Let your voices be heard! Sing loud and proud, as they do at the Vienna Opera House.

Part II: Progress Report Continued

After I participated in a conference call as an affiliate and supporter of SponsorChange.org a few weeks ago, I decided to draft two posts that provided details of my own work (the first one is here). These two pieces serve as a progress report of what I am doing as an advocate to help those who are part of the indentured educated class.

There have been a number of positive developments and grassroots activities since that first posting. Even though I am extremely jet-lagged and still not accustomed to the fact that I now reside in the second largest city in the world (Seoul, Korea), I have managed to stay on top of things related to the student lending crisis in the U.S. As I suspected before moving here, I am able to do more things abroad than I was able to do in my own country. That's why this move was imperative.

In any event, here's additional points on how you can assess my work and provide me with a grade and feedback on my progress:

(a) Letter Writing Campaign to Roberto Rodriguez, Sec. Arne Duncan, Jared Bernstein, and Deputy Undersecretary Robert Shireman


For starters, many of you participated in a successful writing campaign to the White House. At least 50 of us sent the same letter to Mr. Roberto Rodriguez. Moreover, some of you opted to send in either (a) your own letters (forgoing the form letter) or (b) additional letters of appeal on top of this model.Thanks to all of you who got involved with this first of many letter writing campaigns. (We've also been sending emails to Ms. Michele Brown at the Department of Education). These letters were very touching, and I am grateful for your honesty when sharing your personal stories with me and these government officials - that takes a lot of guts, and you should feel proud of that fact.

(b) Creation of the Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class and recruitment of State Support Leaders

I created this group less than two weeks ago. It is part of a grassroots initiative, and I was inspired by two things:

(1) The filming get-together that Peter Duffy and Brandon Watts had a few months ago in L.A. They, along with artist Paul Ramirez, met with 10 people over a weekend. Pete and Brandon filmed testimonials of student loan debtors. They also made food and drinks, and later told me that it was a powerful and positive experience - the fact that they were able to meet together and face-to-face enforced a feeling of community. While we may know well online that we're not alone in this struggle, many of us still feel ashamed and alone when we're in our local communities. (Moreover, I was also able to meet Pete and Brandon - as well as DM Slaughter - the night before I left the country).

(2) Mr. Obama's grassroots campaign efforts - this campaign was remarkable for this fact alone: Mr. Obama's campaign created a real sense of community and political activity at the grassroots level. People hosted campaign parties in their homes, got together in ways they hadn't done before, etc., etc.

It's time that we begin to meet in person, and discuss ways to raise awareness about the student lending crisis in our hometowns. If you're interested in volunteering, you will serve as a point person in your state/hometown. If you have questions or concerns about things, you can reach out to me. (I have designated myself as such, "the Korean and International - as well as U.S. - Support Leader"). My hope is to have 10+ supporters in each state. Right now, there are 13 State Support Leaders. All of you have volunteered to be in this role in just a matter of days, so I am confident that we'll have many more volunteers in the next coming weeks. Thanks to those who have already agreed to get more involved. (If you are interested in volunteering, please email me here - ccryjohannsen@gmail.com).

(c) Remaining committed to the fact that the student lending crisis affects so many different types of people - it's an inter-generational problem, and we can't forget that.

(1) Over the last phone call with the White House, I made a point to emphasize that the student lending crisis is an inter-generational problem, and I also wanted to ask if they had any plans on helping defaulters.

(d) Maintaining communication with notable organizations, people, Education Staffers, etc., etc. 

 (1) I continue to touch base with TICAS.org. We have been discussing the issue of people going into default, and I intend to remain committed to that problem.

(2) Participating in lively discussions related to unemployment and so forth - these serious issues obvious intersect with the student lending crisis. The latest conversation on this topic was over at United Professionals. Along with fellow board members of United Professionals, and thanks to Karen Southall Watts (who's also a board member), we all talked about a tough topic - "Have U.S. Workers Priced Themselves Out Of The Job Market?" This discussion raised serious questions about the so-called claim that taking on student loan debt means that it's "good debt." That is so far from the truth, as many of you unfortunately know.

(3) I continue to reach out to the Education Staffer at Senator Sherrod Brown's Office. I was very impressed with the fact the office knew who I was, had been reading my blog, and wanted my feedback on the private loan debt swap proposal. I am anxious to speak to his office again and hope that this proposal will become something bigger than what it is now . . .

(4) I have also heard back from from the Chief of Staff in Congressman Danny K. Davis's office. (I met her and Congressman Davis briefly at the House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing (read here and here). I am anxious to talk at length with this office too.

(e) Noting other important contributors and bloggers  

(1) Alan Collinge, the founder of StudentLoanJustice.org and author of The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt In U.S. History - and How We can Fight Back, has been fighting on behalf of student loan debtors for years. He is focused on restoring consumer protection rights to student borrowers. He recently wrote a solid piece over at the NYT. This piece is a plea to protect people who take out student loans.

(2) Deanne Loonin has written two excellent pieces on why we should get rid of student loan collection agencies (here and here).

(3) Edububble continues to keep up great work with unconventional insights. His most recent work covers a decent piece written by Mary Pilon at the WSJ. I want to thank Ms. Pilon for reaching out to me a few weeks ago. I know that many of you spoke to her about the fact that you were in default, and a few even discussed your plans and/or desires to default as an act of civil disobedience. 

(4) Stephen Burd at the New America Foundation crafts solid work. He has recently been discussing our G-man hero, Dr. Jon Oberg, and the lawsuit he has brought against the U.S. Government. (He is known for revealing the infamous "9.5 student loan debt scandal."

(5) Medicinesux continues to expose the disastrous ramifications of taking out student loan debt when pursuing degrees in medicine.

(6) The folks over at Temporary Attorney never cease to make me laugh, even though their material is beyond depressing. 

(7) And Ivy Leagued and Unemployed reminds us that joblessness touches all the educated - even those from the Ivies.

It's an honor and a privilege to be connected with most of the individuals I've mentioned above. 

With this growing army of researchers, along with advocates like me, and grassroots volunteers, we might just manage to see some change in the future . . . 

Good night from Seoul!

Is the war against Sallie Mae getting uglier?

Wow. Now Sec. Arne Duncan is coming out against Sallie Mae. They've run a student loan racket for far too long. I fear that Sallie Mae will successfully turn the rhetoric into these hogwash claims that the government is trying to "nationalize" the industry. Let's not forget that Sallie Mae and its ilk are SUBSIDIZED by the U.S. government. That's exactly why they have no interest in working with borrowers. The money that's been loaned out has ALREADY been covered. (It's too bad Sec. Duncan didn't mention that Al Lord, the CEO of Sallie Mae, has made a killing off of being a student lending loan shark. His sprawling estate in Anne Arundel county has a private golf course. In my piece a few months ago bout G-man hero, Jon Oberg, I provide information from an article about Mr. Lord's treasures.). I also love this claim, i.e., that by "cutting-us-out of-the-picture, the Obama Administration will be killing jobs." Ha! Ha!

Also, as so many of us know these lenders provide such invaluable services to students. For starters, they have done an excellent job of creating an indentured educated class. It sure would be a shame to see that go away. So, uh, yeah . . . I hope they stay in the picture because I like how these jobs of which they speak are ruining the lives of millions of Americans (when you think about the co-signers on these suckers, the number of those who are imprisoned by their ruthless debt collecting tactics grows enormously). 

We need to continue writing, emailing, AND organizing on behalf of the indentured educated class. I begin my training in Seoul on Tuesday, but I am mad as hell that I can't be advocating and making a living wage in my own country. But if I can't pay the bills in the U.S., what good would I be to others in need?

But I am encouraged that we're being heard on multiple levels in D.C.

I am anxious to touch base with Senator Sherrod Brown's office. So far, I've only had one conversation with the Education staffer there. I know that many of you would like to know what's going on with the private loan debt swap proposal. I am too.

 

Not only should Sallie Mae be kicked out of the lending industry, they should be thrown in jail!

 

Why community matters! Filming and interviewing with Brandon Watts, DM Slaughter, and Peter Duffy

The events of this evening made this final night in my country comforting - I already feel a strong sense of heimweh for the U.S. even though I am still here.

I am writing this post outside of LAX, listening to the roar of planes leaving and arriving. Yet, all of them seem to be heading far and away from here, and to my destination tomorrow (Korea).

I was interviewed by Brandon Watts, DM Slaughter, and Peter Duffy about the student lending crisis this evening - all of them are intellectually engaged filmmakers (and photographers) who want to raise social awareness about this major problem. Over the course of three hours, we discussed the reasons why so many people are part of the indentured educated class. We also talked about strategies to overcome this major crisis.

I am grateful for them taking the time to meet and interview me, and I am confident that we'll meet again.

If you are involved with film and/or photography, I encourage you to explore their sites.

Well, farewell student loan debtors . . . I will be far away geographically, but will continue to do the same work I have done here. It is not without pain that I write that farewell. 

Goodnight and good luck.

God bless this country. Let's hope that we can live better lives here. Oh, the irony of saying that as I prepare to board a plane for Korea for a job that pays.

Bon voyage, Amerika.

Quick post - Have U.S. Workers Priced Themselves Out Of The Job Market?

There was a lively discussion that members of United Professionals had recently about this question. Please share your thoughts there.

Calling All Volunteers: The time has come to organize at the grassroots level - Who wants to be a State Support Leader for the Indentured Educated Class?

In the last 3 days I have been in Houston, TX, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, Flagstaff, AZ, Barstow, CA, and now central Cali. I left the center of this decaying empire - D.C. - and drove all the way to California (my final destination before leaving the country).

Houston is where I received my visa to enter Korea and work. It was a whimsical day. For starters, the Korean Consulate is located in a beautiful part of town. For the first time in months, I felt the warmth of the sun. Maybe it felt good because I left knowing I have a job waiting for me . . . and I am ready to work!

After Houston, we had two hard days of driving across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally California. The level of poverty that we saw in each state, especially the Navajo reservation in northwest Arizona, was . . . sadly, not startling. Beneath those dramatic skies there are so many forgotten Americans (oh, how distant and - dare I say futile - does the world of policy and harried politics of D.C. feel when you are in these isolated parts of the country and witness to the most forgotten and forsaken citizens of the U.S.). After driving from D.C. to central California, I couldn't help but focus on the poor, who are scattered here and there, living in broken-down trailers and dingy boxes we somehow think are "homes." These people are all hanging by threads, and yet living in a country that has astonishing natural beauty and resources. While I appreciated the serene landscapes (ghostly bogs in Arkansas, snow-capped mountains in Arizona, the quiet, endless deserts in eastern California), the poverty was a painful reminder of how much we're failing to live up to our ideals. It shouldn't be this way, and those who have pursued higher education shouldn't be indentured servants to student lenders. I write this post in a beautiful hotel room. The Pacific is just a block away. It's so beautiful here, it's surreal . .  and I don't feel right.

Why does it feel wrong? Because the voices of desperation have now turned to painful shrieks. Many have told me that if their father or mother hadn't co-signed, they would end it all. I understand this pain and the feeling of being trapped all too well, but being an indentured servant does not justify taking one's life. We must turn our anger and feelings of helplessness into something positive. We must organize. I'd say the first writing campaign went quite well. (Incidentally, I mailed my letters off from Houston, just before my interview at the Korean Consulate's). But letter writing campaigns aren't enough. And we all know that.

That's why we need you to volunteer and become a point person for those who are also a part of the indentured educated class.

I have 7 state support leaders at this juncture. Moreover, I am the Korean and International Support Leader. But I need more people to take on leading roles in this country and abroad. I urge you to touch base with me and volunteer your time. I was impressed by Obama's grassroots model (I was a part of this campaign effort, and also a chosen volunteer for P.I.C. on the day of his inauguration). We must get together in our hometowns and discuss the student lending crisis with others. In so doing, groups of people can talk about tactics that will enable them to confront the student lending crisis at a micro level. Point people (and I'd like at least 5-10 in each state) will then share about their progress and how they're raising awareness here (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=296348398617&id=1146475160#!/group.php?gid=278716756621) - that's The Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class on Facebook.

Bear with me, I will be turning my blog into a website soon. But like most of you, I don't have the funds just yet to do that . . .

On a final note, I just got another state leader today, so please think about joining this grassroots effort!

We shouldn't be forgotten! We shouldn't suffer because we pursued higher education! We must stand up and organize for REAL change NOW!

Last call with the White House (Roberto Rodriguez and Mary Ellen Macguire)

Before I discuss why I am disappointed by the answers I received from Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Macguire during the recent telephone conference call with the White House, I want to make it clear that I am impressed by this Administration's willingness to hold these types of discussions with the public. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to raise questions for millions of student loan debtors with top advisors to Vice President Biden and President Obama. The Obama Administration should be recognized for their efforts to be more transparent, and I applaud them on that end. (Indeed, those on the right - and I am speaking of the extreme right - are absolutely wrong when they claim that the President is doing things in secret - there are many cases, such as this one, that demonstrate the exact opposite). 

Nevertheless, I write this post with the a growing sense of anxiety. Perhaps it's because I am leaving the country for a new job in less than a week (I have my visa interview tomorrow at the Korean Consulate). But on second thought, that's not the case. Not in the least. I am worrying that the White House is being told to avoid those of us who are drowning in debt. "Focus on the prospective students," they're saying (i.e., the college and universities) over and over again. I bet there are some in the White House who are also discussing that so-called "moral hazard" issue with student debtors. Here's why I think they're being fed these lines about prospective students and looking toward the future:

(a) Most of the call was about increasing Pell Grants, expanding programs for those on their way to college, etc., etc. That's fine. I am all for helping incoming college students and graduate students. That's not my issue. At least not entirely.

(b) There was talk about helping recent graduates and expanding IBR. Again, that's good. I praise them for their concern and their efforts to really expand this program.

BUT . . . it is all too clear who's influencing their decisions. It's not just the lenders. It's the colleges and the universities and their armies of lobbyists. Every single initiative was about funneling money through these entities. That means these institutions have total control over where and to whom the money goes. Think of it like Tony Soprano and his soldiers. The college and universities are Tony Soprano. The lobbyists are his soldiers. Then there's the rest of us, and we have no say in where the money goes or how it's spent. We just hope we're lucky enough to win Tony's favor and receive some scraps (and we definitely don't want his soldiers breakin' our knee caps - that's where the lenders come into the picture!).

The question I asked and the answers I received confirm my hunch. Here's how that went:

CCJ: At least 1 in 3 loans are in default . . . We can't forget that the student lending crisis is an inter-generational problem. So, are there any plans to help defaulters?


Ms. Macguire: IBR is directed at helping those from [inaudible remarks] . . . we're trying to help those avoid going into default.


CCJ: But what about those who are already in default?

Mr. Rodriguez: There is not a particular proposal in place . . . there is no plan to help those in default. We're talking about initiatives to help students in the future . . .


CCJ: Thank you for that, but you're leaving out a lot of people . . .


So, that's where they stand apparently. But that leaves me wondering why Mr. Obama said these inspiring things in his State of the Union Address.

For starters, he said: "[I]n the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college. And it's time for colleges and universities to get serious about cutting their own costs."

Bravo, Mr. President! You're absolutely right. But to whom is he speaking? To the current indentured educated class? Or to those who are prospective students? Because from the sounds of it, and based upon actual answers from Mr. Rodriguez, who serves in the White House Domestic Policy Council as Special Assistant to President Obama for Education, I can only conclude at this juncture that President Obama was referring to those future students. That's when everything, apparently, will be "so much" better. Ahem. 


It's baffling to think that they're only concerned about prospective students. It contradicts a poignant question and concluding points that President Obama discussed when speaking of other countries and playing some sort of waiting game. 


Here's what he said: 


"From the day I took office, I have been told that addressing our larger challenges is too ambitious – that such efforts would be too contentious, that our political system is too gridlocked, and that we should just put things on hold for awhile.

For those who make these claims, I have one simple question:

How long should we wait? How long should America put its future on hold? [my emphasis]

You see, Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany's not waiting. India's not waiting. These nations aren't standing still." 

Indeed, Mr. President and Mr. Rodriguez, how long should we - the indentured educated class - have to wait? Are we supposed to put our future on hold? If that's the case, and so it seems now, this country is headed for even darker times. That's a shame, because we have you, Mr. President, and (overall) a stellar team of people in the White House who could act boldly, who could stand up to the student lending industry AND to the colleges and universities, and radically change the way higher education is financed.

We're sending Mr. Rodriguez, Sec. Arne Duncan, and Deputy Under Secretary Robert Shireman letters of appeal - we're asking you to open up a dialogue with student loan debtors. We deserve a chance at a table too.

 

President Obama inspired me to believe: Change for the indentured educated class is now! 

What about the defaulters?

I must admit, I was disappointed by the response I received today after I asked a question about student loan defaulters on the White House conference call with Robert Rodriguez and Mary Ellen McGuire.

Details to follow . . .

 

The lady is also weary of hearing that the average debt for college is 23k.

Quick Update: Letter writing campaign to President Obama

Indentured Educated Class! Don't forget this motto. 

Thanks to the many volunteers who have volunteered for the first letter writing campaign to the White House. The deadline for feedback is today, and the final version will be going out to everyone tomorrow.  (This writing campaign is in response to President Obama's State of the Union Address). My goal was to have 100 volunteers, and I think we're just shy of that number. Not bad for the first round of letters . . .

On top of this group letter, many of you have chosen to send your own or an accompanying letter to the White House.

Moreover, a group of us are writing to Ms. Michele Brown at the Department of Education and asking her to update us on what's going on there to help students who have defaulted or drowning in student loan debt (both private and federal). These emails are being cc-ed to Mr. Arne Duncan, Mr. Robert Shireman, and me.

If you want to get involved and are interested in having me provide templates that deal with specific policy issues on the financing of higher education, you know how to find me (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com).

Thanks for all the hard work - collective action with a polyphony of voices pays off.