Next Writing Campaign Will Begin Soon

First things first: This comment is for those of you who have just recently reached out to me and introduced yourselves. 

I am receiving an overwhelming amount of new emails from new people who are drowning in student loan debt and part of the indentured educated class. And in case you weren't aware that you are part of this class, I want to welcome you! Rest assured, you are not alone - there are millions of people who comprise the indentured educated class. In any event, I want all of you to be aware that I am answering each email as quickly as possible. Many of you are already aware of this fact, but for those of you who have just discovered my advocacy work, research, etc., I am currently living in Seoul, South Korea.

I teach English to advanced (and not so advanced) Korean students. It's a full-time job, so that's one of the reasons why it may take me some time to reach out and connect with you. Although I am thousands and thousands of miles away from the U.S.A., I am just as committed to the student lending crisis here as I was there. In fact, I now have the luxury of dedicating more time to my advocacy work than I did there.

Next Item On The Agenda: The indentured educated class is about to begin a new letter writing campaign to the White House. Some may think that the letter I received from President Obama was meaningless and just a "form letter." However, that's quite false. If any of you saw one of many recent interviews with Pres. Obama, he stated that he receives more than 40,000 emails and letters a day. So, even if it's a so-called "form letter," it was a damned big deal (it was also signed by him). Like I said, I think this letter is only the beginning of correspondence with the White House (at least that is my hope for the millions of debtors out there who need to be heard) . . .

SAFRA: I am hearing the same sentiment(s) expressed about SAFRA (my take is here). Of course, I think that this legislation is a step in the right direction. However, the Democrats should not stop here! In my mind, this legislation is just one of many steps that must be taken to help millions of Americans. It is my hope that this bill is only the beginning of more far reaching reform measures that will help those who are struggling or unable to pay off their student loans. I have also asked countless times, what's out there to help defaulters?

Indeed, it would be wise of the Democrats to consider this suggestion about additional reforms. They are, after all, going to be facing touch elections. If they were to help out student loan debtors in an immediate and positive way, I am more than confident that they would enjoy quite a bit of success as candidates.

On that final note, if you are interested in joining us for the second writing letter campaign to the White House, please send me an email ASAP (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com), and just put this simple phrase in the subject line: "Count Me In For the Next Letter Writing Campaign!" Don't wait to send this email off! I will begin drafting a letter very soon to send off.

I know it's rough for many of you. It infuriates me to receive more and more emails from people who are struggling with there loans. It's also saddening to be reading the emails from people who are telling me that they are "planning" on defaulting because they have no other choice. You are always in my thoughts, and I sincerely hope that we - collectively - can make a difference that will matter now.

I guess the best I can say in closing is this: hang in there. You are not alone in this battle for higher education justice.

I am grateful to be connected to so many wonderful Americans. You humble me with your honesty, integrity, and amazing backgrounds.

With all of my respect,
Cryn
Your Public Servant

The Deafening Silence

So, treasury officials have "acknowledged problems" with foreclosures  and the White House just made an announcement about helping those who may lose their homes. 


Moreover, a colleague of mine and a great friend stated: "the foreclosure issue is something that can be quantified. [People] can see neighborhoods taking nasty turns as the foreclosures increase." (Tim Ranzetta also provides disturbing evidence of how over 55% of counties have over 10% student loan delinquency rate, and he's expressing the same sentiments, i.e., President Obama should be turning his attention to current student borrowers).

Guess what? That's what makes the issue legitimate. On the other hand, those who are part of the indentured educated class continue to languish as government officials refuse to acknowledge that defaults have spiked. That also means that people aren't able to buy homes, cars, start families - why is this not considered a crisis too? Why are they helping those who have foreclosed on their homes and yet refusing to help or even acknowledge student loan debtors? I am at a loss. Their silence speaks volumes, but I refuse to accept this type of deliberate marginalization.

This type of silence also means that we will continue to be attacked on the internet and told that we're lazy, jobless losers (none of which is true).

So, here's my question for you: if there's a way to show that people are really suffering with student loans and are probably losing their homes too, then more attention would be given to it by the government. But how do we demonstrate that there is indeed a student lending crisis affecting millions of people? 

Addendum to previous post about the Supreme Court Ruling

Of course it's true that this recent ruling will not result in the opening of the proverbial bankruptcy floodgates for millions of student loan debtors. I have always been of the opinion that if something like that were to happen, it wouldn't be the best for those who are part of the indentured educated class.

Nevertheless, it is still quite huge. As one attorney with whom I'm connected on Facebook stated, "[such a ruling by the Supreme Court and the sentiment it carries] tends to assume societal values" over time. That's why it's more than just noteworthy and why it's worth letting many of you know about it.

Quick post on HUGE news - Court sides with debtor in student loan case

Read it NOW here!

So-called historic bill passed on student loan reform

I have made it clear to many of my readers and so forth, I think it's important to credit the recent turn of events with student loan reform. It is a step in the right direction. (And just so many of you are aware - because I've been asked many times - I am very, very familiar with this bill. It is my job to follow these things and be aware of what's happening on the Hill - that's what I do for you and thousands and thousands of others as a voluntary advocate. Even though I am gone, I remain committed to following press releases, being involved with conversations with student organizations, and keeping up with my trusted contacts in D.C.).

While I give it some credit, it offers nothing, absolutely nothing, for those who are:

(a) already in default,
(b) those who are on the brink of defaulting,
(c) and those who are simply struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills month-by-month.

Based upon the number of emails I am now receiving each week, the people I already know who fit the criteria I listed above, etc., etc., it feels like a big blow to millions and millions of people in the U.S. I have made it clear to Sec. Duncan in a recent e-mail that, "[the indentured educated class] comprise a large segment of the electorate who voted you and President Obama into office. We are enormously unhappy with both the Department of Education's lack of response to the student lending crisis and the utter silence from the White House. This is not change that I voted for - this is more of the same."


Of course, I will give Sec. Duncan's office a wee-bit of credit. I heard back from an actual human being. Nevertheless, it was a stifled response, and I have heard nothing since. I will follow up with said human being because all of you deserve that. Indeed, you deserve to know why, even though you are trapped by student loans, you are not receiving anything back from you government. Not even some form letters!


There was a point recently when a contact accused me of spreading anti-government sentiment and despair. Those two things couldn't be farther from the truth. I am thinking that government should be helping more of its people. After all, it's for the people and by the people, right?


I will be honest: I have lukewarm feelings about this recent bill. I think much more can and must be done. That's why we must continue to fight.


Perhaps those in the White House are tone deaf to higher education issues because it's not their specialty? That's a pretty good quest. If that's the case, we must think of new strategies to make our voices heard loudly (is that even possible? I'd say we've been quite vocal).

My, I don't say . . . you're having a hard time hearing? Well, don't worry, we're gonna turn up the volume for you!

Let's thank those who have donated!

I've been writing a lot lately about gratitude and giving thanks. So, let's give thanks again. This time it's to those who have donated to helping the indentured educated class. As a result of these donations, I am now able to promote the Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class on Facebook!

Moreover, I am recruiting volunteers to be international support leaders. We also need many more support leaders in every state. So, please think about volunteering today. 

Again, I am grateful that so many of you have donated money, and that so many are offering their time to volunteer too - you're all helping a lot of people in need!

Quick post - Thank God for the BBC

Wow. So, here you don't get that magic number of how most people with college degrees graduate with just 23K in debt. That's right. The lame number that's an average and eagerly gobbled up by every journalist in the U.S. AND A. isn't mentioned! It's the one that's been generated by the less than respectable College Board and puked up left and right by lazy reporters in the U.S. who clearly don't give a rat's a--- about the story they are covering when it comes to the student lending crisis. Again, the College Board used to be a lender itself, so why are they regarded as reliable?

Instead, the BBC is talking about the $200,000 price tag of going to good schools here. They also ask good questions (gasp!) . . . What? What's that all about? The article actually raises good questions about the cost of going to school in the U.S. If you haven't read this piece yet, I highly recommend you do now.

Reach Out/Get Involved! - What are the goals/objectives of the Support Group for the Indentured Education Class?

What are the goals and objectives of the Support Group for the Indentured Class and how do the State Support Leaders function in their roles? Those are important questions.

A member of the support group for the IEC asked a great question and made a good comment that made me realize I needed to clarify. She wrote yesterday:

"The description says the primary goal of this group is to organize (and above it says to raise awareness). What are the objectives of the group, specifically? You might have more luck recruiting state support leaders once those objectives are clearly defined."

Thanks to the State Support Leader of N.H. Michele, because she took the initiative to answer this question immediately (probably when I was teaching in S. Korea). Michele responded:

"We are . . . gather[ing] ourselves together on a local basis to fight [against] the student lending crisis. It's almost like an informational support group. Those of us who volunteered as state leaders did so because we are constantly doing something about our loans. In a personal way, I've been writing to my local authorities and representatives on a constant basis. [So, I am] . . . focusing on consumer rights. A lot of us here keep track of the news and publications concerning student loans [too]. And the most important part about all of it, we help each other out no matter where we are [my emphasis]. Y[ou] know, it's also to get face to face with people in the same situation."

Moreover, I added (2) two things:

[1] I was inspired to put this group together and based [it] on two models. The first model was Pres. Obama's campaign efforts. Specifically, the grassroots aspect of his campaigning. His campaign team effectively organized volunteers across the entire country - they got together for "house" meetings, went door-to-door with strangers (I did that on several occasions) and campaigned for then-Sen. Obama, etc. That was one of the reasons he won, and it was impressive. Second, there are two documentary makers in L.A with whom I met the night before I left the country. Moreover, they were joined by another filmmaker that evening who has already put out this excellent short clip about the student lending crisis. Prior to meeting these two documentarians (i.e., not the one who put out the sharp clip already) and being interviewed by them, I helped them - let's call them "Pete" and "Brandon" - (!) - find about 8-9 volunteers in the L.A. area for a taping. I put out announcements on Facebook for a few weeks. We were successful and able to get all of these people together. The documentary makers interviewed all these individuals and then they had a small get together afterward (drinks and food). I was told after the event that it was enormously powerful to be among student loan debtors. My aim has always been to get this movement off the internet and into public discourse. What better way than to have State Support Leaders who can meet with people face-to-face? 

[2] Finally, we're working on many fronts. For instance, we have organized several successful "writing campaigns." A lot of people have asked me to draft templates for letters to their representatives, the Dept. of Ed., and the President. I am happy to do this, because many people have 2-3 jobs and simply can't invest as much time as I have and am able to (at this juncture it's more a labor of love for me, but when I return to the U.S. it will be something different. You can count on it. I am planning on running for office, and hope to recruit many of my readers to help me win an election!). 

In any event, we have sent several letters together, and I am currently organizing another letter writing campaign to the White House again. Of course, anyone can send letters on their own. In fact, I encourage that. However, I think it's also quite effective to send the same type of letter from countless people- that sends a clear message that we're united. I hope this information helps, too. 

So, if you are interested in becoming a State Support Leader, I hope this information is useful. I also let people know they can put as much or as little into the role. More than anything, we - the indentured educated class - desperately need state support contacts, therefore I encourage you to think about volunteering!

I also urge you, no, I implore you, to reach out to your current State Support Leaders. Although they are listed on the group's wall, I'll quickly provide their names below, with their respective states:

* Leni (Maryland)

* Reid (Oregon)

* Aimee (Nebraska)

* Steve (TX - Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex)

* Gail (KY)

* Stacy (KY)

* Rob (Florida)

* Nick (Florida)

* Terry (Rhode Island - my STATE!!)

* Michele (New Hampshire)

* Christine (Illinois)

* Rhonda (Oklahoma)

* Cheryle (Wisconsin) 

* Nancy (Utah)

* Jp (Utah)

* Jeri (Ohio)

* Juan (Arizona) 

* ANOTHER GREAT LEADER IN THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (FL) - I am waiting to hear from him 

I am in touch, for the most part, with all of these individuals on a regular basis and they are fantastic and helpful, smart and kind people! I've even had the privilege of meeting a few of them, and I've talked with several of them by phone or extensively via chat on Facebook or Gmail Chat. You too can reach me via FB chat or Gmail. I talk to people about their student loan woes on a daily basis. Don't hesitate to reach me (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com).

 

 

Quick post - please join the Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class

Tim Ranzetta wrote an excellent piece about student loan defaults. He asked at the end, is anyone else concerned?

Tim, the answer is a resounding yes.

I am deeply concerned about student loan defaulters, so that's why I want you - the person who has defaulted, the person who is on the verge of defaulting, supporters of this movement, etc., etc. - to join the Support Group for the Indentured Educated Class on Facebook (if you do not have a Facebook account yet, I urge you to sign up and friend me - this tool is used to convey important messages with my readers, other activists, etc., etc. My Facebook page is dedicated solely to the student lending crisis. Moreover, I am on Twitter - @cjohanns). So, please, sign up today and join this outstanding group!

State Support Leaders for the Indentured Educated Class

I strongly urge you to reach out to your State Support Leaders. They have volunteered to be of service to those of us who are part of this indentured educated community.

Also, if you have an interest in volunteering for this role, please don't hesitate to email me (ccrynjohannsen@gmail.com) and let me know why you'd like to be a State Support Leader. I am recruiting 5-10+ individuals for each state (I am also trying to recruit volunteers on the international level).

Volunteer today!

Living A Life With Gratitude And Purpose

I have been thinking a lot lately about the people:

(a) with whom I am friends
(b) with whom I am affiliated and/or work
(c) with whom I wish to be connected

I have an amazing circle of close friends as well as a wonderful family. Moreover, I have developed strong relationships with countless people via social media. Like my close friends, they are dotted across this entire world and are precious gifts to this particular moment in time in which we all find ourselves. Moreover, these connections aren't restricted to exchanges via Facebook, email, etc. In fact, before I left I met a number of people who are big supporters of my work (i.e., my writing, my research, and of course my advocacy work). In addition, these supporters are all amazing people who have become enormously involved with this amazing, loosely-connected (yet strong and ever-growing) grassroots movement. These individuals understand the enormous ramifications of what has become of higher education vis-a-vis the student lending crisis. They know that higher education is now part of a complex web of absolute injustice. This injustice was created by:

(1) student lending industry,
(2) the U.S. Government (and until they truly offer solutions to the problem, they remain blameworthy),
(3) the Colleges and Universities,and
(4) the anemic organizations who claim to be supporters of students.

Like me, these wonderful supporters aren't involved in this political activity for personal reasons (though we have all become acquainted as a result of being part of the indentured educated class), but instead they have committed themselves to the cause because they understand the classic idea of what it means to be an engaged citizen. We're doing this for collective reasons.

Since we're all educated in various and wonderful ways, these individuals have offered their talents and skills to raise awareness about the student lending crisis. For instance, a fantastic graphic designer recently offered to create a logo pro bono! Then there are the three fabulous documentarians out in L.A. whom I met with the night before I left the country. I was thankful for their company on that final evening in the grand U.S. (how I do miss it!), as well as their continued commitment to this cause. One of them has already put out an amazing short - it's interviews with me and also provides resources for student loan debtors. There are the therapists, the doctors, the attorneys, the artists, the architects (Jp - I wouldn't forget that category!), the academics, etc., etc. - and while I wish I had met these amazing folks under different circumstances, I am so glad they are a part of my life. Indeed, so many of them play a major role in my everyday life activities, and that makes me most grateful.

I'd also like to mention a very noteworthy person in this post, Mr. Raymar Hampshire. It is an honor and a privilege to be connected to Raymar. He is a model citizen, and his organization, SponsorChange.org, exemplifies that fact. Along with his brother, Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, and an amazing team, Raymar is making a difference for student loan debtors. 

Recently, Raymar endorsed me on LinkedIn. It is an honor and a privilege to have received these remarks (I am so glad to be an affiliated partner of SponsorChange.org):

“It is my pleasure to recommend the work of Chase Cryn Johannsen. Through her work, she has assisted our organization by tenaciously advocating for student loan debt relief for millions of U.S. citizens. This partnership has allowed SponsorChange.org to focus directly on our mission of rewarding student loan payments for individuals who complete service at non-profits while also remaining informed on the national conversation on student loan policy. Overall, I have been impressed by her strategy of organizing both an online and offline movement that is increasingly influencing student loan policy reform.”

So, I'd like to publicly thank Raymar, and also let all of you know how much your hard work and involvement with the student lending crisis means to me.

I have a tendency to "overthink" things (if that's possible), but the last few days has allowed me to really think about the people in my life and why they matter. They are people who are:

(a) driven
(b) compassionate
(c) intelligent
(d) concerned citizens

And, most importantly, (e) their lives are informed by goodness and deliberation. 

By way, that's just the short list.

So, tonight, friends, I am feeling enormous gratitude. Thank you. I should also note that that goes for the nation of South Korea. I am most grateful to have a job here, and my students are amazing - they are inspiring, smart, and kind.  So, thanks to you, South Korea, for providing me with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach your best and brightest children.

In the raw: Saddest quote of the day from my Facebook page

Ms. V. N. M. said this today, "When my husband died, I decided to go back to school at age 38; I thought a college degree was the best way to secure a job that would support my daughter. Despite my love of education, I made the wrong choice. I couldn't afford it then, and these loans will follow me for the rest of my life. I would have needed to start at double my salary to be able to make the payments and live somewhat comfortably. Now, having been laid off, recurring paperwork allows me to forbear payments, but the interest has accumulated enormously. It's discouraging to realize I was foolish enough to buy into the whole thing."

I sincerely hope that Ms.V.N.M has not been forgotten by this Administration. She is, sadly, one example out of millions of people who feel forgotten and abandoned by my beloved country. Moreover, I have always come to you (Mr. President) with an extended olive branch (even when I have been harshly critical), so I urge you to listen to these voices - our voices - and not just those who are telling you to focus on current and "prospective students."

You ought to help Ms. V.N.M. She and the millions of others who comprise the indentured educated class are not a "moral hazard." (My hunch is that you're getting a lot of that hogwash talk from your people in the White House).

Please, please listen to our pleas for help, Mr. President and Mr. Rodriquez.

People making a difference - please vote for SponsorChange.org

SponsorChange.org is a finalist over at Change.org.

This organization is amazing. It's an honor and a privilege to be an affiliated partner of SponsorChange.org. If you haven't voted, please do so now. (I've written about their work before, and encourage you to explore their site if you're not familiar with them - they have been a big hit, so I am sure those of you who will read about them will become fast fans).

So, vote today!

Here's a snapshot of SponsorChange.org's homepage.

Looking Beyond The Garbage: More Drivel About Taking Out Student Loans

 Liz Pulliam Weston  over at msn.money has written yet another piece of drivel about taking out student loans. She let's us know that it can be good debt! Ha. In fact, the tone and so-called practical advice reminds me of the trash that Michelle Singletary (et al.) writes  over at the Washington Post. I've taken Ms. Singletary to task on several occasions too (see here and here.)

I don't know about you, but I am fed up with these pieces. In this case, Ms. Pulliam Weston highlights one young woman who owes $242,000 in student loan debt. Oh, and guess what? She's implying that that's out of the norm! Moreover, in response to a recent article that concluded that student loans is the most toxic debt, Ms. Weston says in response, "not quite." 

Excuse me for a moment, I need to vomit. Her piece is nauseating.

I'm back.

It makes me wonder if Ms. Pulliam Weston is writing on behalf of the student lending industry. If she's not, she's either (a) out of her mind or (b) failed to do appropriate research on the topic.

In short, this piece is just rubbish, and I let Ms. Pulliam Weston know that too. I encourage you to do the same. Here's how I responded:

You write, "[Said student] approached college with all the confidence, dare I say arrogance, of an 18-year-old who wanted what she wanted when she wanted it." Wow. That's a great way to start off a story about student loan debt. I am sure a lot of your readers were going to be immediately sympathetic to this student's situation.

Shame on you for writing such a thing. A lot of 18-year-olds are confident, but describing her as arrogant is in such poor taste.

Furthermore, your main argument is just flat wrong: taking on ANY debt for a college degree is BAD. I don't care if it's federal or private. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE WRITING THIS DRIVEL.

We need to radically restructure the student lending industry. We also need journalists to take a closer look at the fact that we have a new crisis on our hands - the student lending crisis. We've created an indentured educated class, and you - like many of your mainstream journalist writers and so-called debt counselors - downplay this disaster. Instead of highlighting one case, why don't you do some inventory like the Huff Post has and then write a story about how this crisis is affecting hundreds of thousands of people (if not millions). Let's stop this blame game. It's obvious who's to blame - the student lending industry. They've done a lovely job of making money off of students. It's a shame that nobody wants to hear from the perspective of the debtor.

If we continue to make people take out loans for their education, you can kiss our stance on the global level good-bye.

There is a new clip out about my own work as an advocate. If you are struggling or unable to pay off your student loans, I urge you to get in touch with me.

 Garbage hides the real truth

  

Sen. Webb's response to my letter

. . . my office can only provide you with form letters, but I hope you think that's cute and helpful!

In my last post, "What's all this fuss about?," I mentioned Sen. Webb's disappointing response to my letter to his office about the student lending crisis. Several readers have already told me that they also wrote to his office (I posted that piece about an hour ago and have already received 5 remarks about Webb's unresponsiveness). So, uh, I guess I was lucky, because I received a form letter from him. These individuals received nothing in response. Moreover, I was asked to post his letter, so here it goes (in the original response, you can see how formulaic responses/code paragraphs were inserted - in my mind -  willynily) :

Feb. 18, 2010

Dear Ms. Johannsen:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding student loans and the increasing costs of higher education. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views.

I understand the difficulties that students and their families face as they struggle to cope with the growing costs of higher education. In recent years, student debt levels have increased substantially as average tuition and fees at many colleges and universities have gone up faster than inflation. Starting in early 2008, trouble in the capital markets led many lenders to raise interest rates and curtail their lending, making it harder for many students to obtain the loans they need to attend college.

With my support, the U.S. Senate passed several important bills to address these issues and ensure that more students have access to affordable loans. I am pleased to inform you that I supported the bipartisan American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1), which was passed by the Senate and signed into law (P.L. 111-5) by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The legislation offers critical investments in education to improve the quality of our education system and help more students to afford the costs of higher education. The Recovery Act creates a new American Opportunity Tax Credit of up to $2,500 and increases the maximum Pell Grant level by $500. These measures will allow 4 million students to receive a new higher education tax credit and 7 million students to receive increased Pell Grant funding.

During the 110^th Congress, the Senate passed the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act on April 30, 2008, and the President signed it into law on May 7, 2008 (P.L. 110-227). This legislation increases the annual and aggregate limits for Stafford loans, helps ensure the availability of loan capital to meet the demand of student loans, delays the start of repayment for some borrowers, and updates rules for lender-of-last-resort (LLR) loans. Finally, with my support, the Senate passed the Higher Education Authorization bill and the President signed it into law on August 14, 2008 (P.L. 110-315). This law increases need-based aid for students, simplifies the financial aid process, and, among other things, provides loan forgiveness for students who work in public service. While these measures are helpful, I will continue to support legislation that will increase access to higher education for all Americans.

As the Senate continues to address student loans and the cost of higher education, your views are very helpful to me. Please be assured my staff and I will closely monitor these issues and any pending legislation, with your specific views in mind. I hope that you will continue to share your thoughts with us in the years ahead.

I would also invite you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for regular updates about my activities and positions on issues that are important to Virginia and our nation.

Thank you once again for contacting my office.

Sincerely,

Jim Webb

United States Senator

JW:kw

"What's all THIS fuss about?"(*sniff, sniff) - The Silence And The Form Letters = THEY DON'T GET IT

It is my understanding that many of you who have taken the time to write to your representatives have heard nothing back (I, however, wish to thank you again for your efforts - it matters to me).

It's not a matter of their offices being burdened by letters or other dilemmas (insert health care reform catastrophe here). In many cases I've been told that there's been no response for 6-8 weeks. That's inexcusable, and it also suggests to me that people on the Hill and (gasp!) in the White House don't understand that there is a student lending crisis. In short, they just don't get it. Do they? [Note to the White House and the Hill: prove to me that you GET IT.]

I am not sure what's worse - this silence or the ridiculous form letters (one person received a form letter about health care after she took the time to send her Senator a note about the student lending crisis). As for me, I recently received a form letter from Sen. Webb's office (D-VA). Someone pieced it together in the poorest fashion. They wanted to let me know that they are pursuing programs that will increase Pell Grants, blah, blah, blah. Is that what I'm writing about? Am I asking them to expand programs like that? No, I'm not. So, that's the best they can do?

Mind you, Sen. Webb's state is home to the infamous Sallie Mae. I have a hunch that they spend a lot of time in Sen. Webb's office.

Why is it the only Senator's office who seems to get it is Sherrod Brown's office?

It also seems clear that nobody on the Hill or in the White House is paying much attention to his private debt swap proposal, and that's a big shame.

The Democrats have an opportunity now to take a stand on this issue. At the moment, people are being attacked online. They are being told to "get off their butts" to get a job. They are being told they are lazy, pathetic, etc. If only the Democrats could seize this moment and send a message to counter these nasty remarks (they're widespread). We don't want a hand-out (they gave that to the banks). We want justice. That's different. We want those in power to change this injustice.

But they remain silent. I don't think that's gonna help them in their upcoming elections. So, here's my question: do they care?

 

"What's that you say? Hmmm . . . something about this, uh, indentured educated class?"

Quick Post - MUST WATCH: "Paying Back Not Giving Back"

Before I left L.A. for Seoul, South Korea, I was interviewed by three documentary makers. Here is the first piece by Ramblin' Man Films.

I want to be clear: I am not a part of this movement as an advocate because I "can't pay" my own bills. It is my belief that we should be of service to others in our community, and that's what I have done, and continue to do, as a student loan advocate. But as many of you know, I simply couldn't find a job - of any kind - in the U.S., so when my new company in Korea offered me a job to teach (something I love), I couldn't turn it down.