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one of the reasons college is so expensive is because government subsidizes student loans. just like easy money for mortgages drove up the price of real estate, easy money for education does the same exact thing. i dont think anyone would disagree with your point that regulation is needed but we need smart regulation not more regulation.
I recently graduated from vet school and my student loan debt is $396,000 (~ $60,000 was from undergrad). The interest on these loans is ridiculous. The Federal subsidized loans are around 7% and the unsubsidized (from the Direct loan federal program) are between 8-9%. Total payment of these loans with interest is well over $1,000,000 and that is absurd. My starting salary is $70,000 but repayment with the lowest level based on income will be ~ $18,000/yr leaving me with $52,000/year as a veterinarian, working around 60 hours/week. This is a big problem for many people who want to go on to pursue a graduate degree. It's not worth it in the end. This then creates a situation where there will be fewer highly educated people in the US and why we have trouble competing with other countries, especially in the science fields. Never mind those of us who now can't contribute to the failing economy because we have little expendable money to do so.
There are a lot of different reasons for the current state of our economy and this is just one of them. College tuition/student loans are a BIG problem but what do you suppose they do? If you run student loans like regular bank loans that leaves only the wealthy being able to attain higher education. I think the overhaul needed is a serious reduction of the interest charged. I have no problem paying back what I actually borrowed but 3x that is practically extortion since if I default on my loans I lose my license to practice medicine. It's a broken system that creates broke people.
China is building their military up at record levels, they're forging military alliances with Russia and Iran, and you think we need to cut back on defense spending? seriously?
The People's Republic of China spent exactly $91.5 billion on its military of 2.3 million soldiers in 2011. This was a 12.7% increase in spending from 2010 levels. Most experts state that their actual spending is probably approaching $150 billion.
The United States of America spent exactly $685.1 billion on its military of 3 million soldiers in 2011. This does not count an additional $37 billion allocated to "Overses Contingencies" aka Iraq and Afghanistan. Experts point out that the direct funding for the military is smaller than actual defense spending. When we account for all defense related activities and the interest incurred on the debt from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States spends between $1.030 and $1.415 TRILLION on defense activities.
Using the Chinese high number and the US low number, we spend roughly 7 TIMES the amount of money on defense that China does. In fact the United States spends as much on research and development of new weapons as China does on its ENTIRE military. The United States currently accounts for roughly 50% of the WORLDS spending on defense.
People are getting jumpy over reports the Chinese are building an aircraft carrier. Well, they are actually retrofitting a 1970's vintage Soviet carrier and it will be their first. The United States currently operates 11 modern aircraft carriers with 3 of the new Ford class carriers under construction. We have more carriers than the rest of the worlds navies combined which with the exception of Russia and China are all US allies and they each operate 1. In fact our Navy itself is larger than the rest of the worlds navies COMBINED.
People are upset over China building a stealth fighter. That's old hat. They're currently developing a fighter that is considered a 5th generation aircraft. Our 5th generation fighters are already in service and we are developing 6th generation fighters as well as leading the world in development of unmanned drones.
Don't worry big scary China won't be coming to kill us anytime soon.
****
One of the things I don't like about the Tea Party is that they are clamoring for smaller government and lower taxes, but no one says how that's going to be done. I posted a picture of a man at a Tea Party rally with a sign saying that Medicare shouldn't be touched to support socialized medicine. Outside of the irony of that statement, Medicare and Social Security are two major programs that many members of the Tea Party benefit from. Another large expenditure as I illustrated above is defense, but no one wants to say we need to cut defense spending or they will appear weak.
So, the Tea Party folks go after things like welfare and unemployment, which even if elminated in their entirety (food stamps, housing, job training, etc.) tomorrow would barely put a dent in the budget deficit. People rail on these things because they are easy. Oh, the unemployed should have saved for a rainy day. People on welfare are scum sucking leeches on society, etc. It's an easy target. No one wants to tackle the real issues as that involves an insane amoung of pain and will leave them realizing that a COMBINED approach that involves raising taxes is necessary.
Here is the current Federal Budget in a nice easy Pie Chart:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/U.S._Federal_Spending_-_FY_2007.png (broken link)
Here is our total income:
Some information....
Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Interest on the Debt and Defense are self explanatory. "Other Mandatory" is every Federal program that does not fall into one of the above categories. This is where welfare, unemployment, transportation funding, etc. comes from. This is money that was promised that has to be paid unless there is legislation passed to change it. The add-ons for the wars are in there as well. "Discretionary" is what funds the actual government from the State Department to the FBI to Department of Education, etc. These are the "Departments" of the government.
So, you need to come up with $1.294 TRILLION to close this gap. You can cut to your hearts content, but be mindful of what you are cutting. You can also raise taxes to close the revenue gap, but that is a scared cow for some of you, along with Social Security, Medicare and Defense...good luck.
On taxes, here is the best way to look at it. Taxes as a % of GDP:
As you can clearly see, expenses as a % of GDP have been going up and taxes as a % of GDP have been going down. The bar to the far right marked "12E" under Obama is the expected tax revenue as a % of GDP if Obama's tax plan was passed. Look at that and look at the rest of the chart. This is NOT raising taxes, it is simply returning them to more sustainable levels. The overall rates will still be LOWER than they were under Reagan and Bush 41.
This is my problem with the Tea Party and its supporters (and others as well), you are making decisions without actually looking at the numbers and data. Raising taxes is BAD, despite the fact they are currently at the lowest levels EVER. We need to CUT CUT CUT, but don't go after the sacred cows, despite the fact it is impossible to balance the budget without touching everything and we could basically gut the entire government and most entitlement programs and still not be able to cut taxes one dime in order to have a balanced budget.
****
On the Christianity thing, well this is my other issue I railed about earlier. My main problem with it is that the conservative camp that trumpets "honest Christian values" doesn't even have a clue about what those values actually are. If we are to apply a political leaning to Christ he most certainly would have been a socialist.
How do you think Christ would feel about capitalism and making one's daily bread on the back of another? How do you think Christ would feel about mortgage backed securities and the charging of interest by banks? How do you think Christ would feel about food stamps, welfare and unemployment? How do you think Christ would feel about our current healthcare system? What do you think Christ saw as the role of government?
I seriously doubt many preaching for a Christian dominated country in the conservative right-wing meaning have even read the Bible, just listened to preachers who told them what they wanted to hear. Here's a couple verses for you, ponder the meaning and think if your conservative values are really inline with your Christian values:
Luke 1:49-53 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Mathew 19:6-24 16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?17And he said unto him, Why do you ask me about what is good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mathew 21:12-14 12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Mark 12:28-3128 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mathew 25:31-46 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory;32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats;33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;35For I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in;36Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.
this is a position i do not share with my fellow conservatives. we currently spend about 6 times as much on our military as china. we have no enemies within thousands of miles of us. we wouldnt be a military target for russia, iran or china. let europe deal with their own military problems. our military should be here in america protecting our borders and available to quickly destroy another country if needed. we shouldnt be setting up shop all over the world.
that's because, whether i agree with you or not, you seem to truly believe in minimal government spending. most "conservatives" do not. they believe in minimal government spending on things that do not benefit them. so, tax subsidies for their oil buddies? good. tax subsidies for silicon valley startup smart energy companies? bad.
i know you say end all subsidies, and i commend you for sticking to that position. but most conservatives are just smoke and mirrors when they say cut spending.
I recently graduated from vet school and my student loan debt is $396,000 (~ $60,000 was from undergrad). The interest on these loans is ridiculous. The Federal subsidized loans are around 7% and the unsubsidized (from the Direct loan federal program) are between 8-9%. Total payment of these loans with interest is well over $1,000,000 and that is absurd. My starting salary is $70,000 but repayment with the lowest level based on income will be ~ $18,000/yr leaving me with $52,000/year as a veterinarian, working around 60 hours/week. This is a big problem for many people who want to go on to pursue a graduate degree. It's not worth it in the end. This then creates a situation where there will be fewer highly educated people in the US and why we have trouble competing with other countries, especially in the science fields. Never mind those of us who now can't contribute to the failing economy because we have little expendable money to do so.
There are a lot of different reasons for the current state of our economy and this is just one of them. College tuition/student loans are a BIG problem but what do you suppose they do? If you run student loans like regular bank loans that leaves only the wealthy being able to attain higher education. I think the overhaul needed is a serious reduction of the interest charged. I have no problem paying back what I actually borrowed but 3x that is practically extortion since if I default on my loans I lose my license to practice medicine. It's a broken system that creates broke people.
i dont disagree about education and society, but how in the world does vet school cost $336,000? it's a 3 year grad program right?
There are a lot of different reasons for the current state of our economy and this is just one of them. College tuition/student loans are a BIG problem but what do you suppose they do? If you run student loans like regular bank loans that leaves only the wealthy being able to attain higher education. I think the overhaul needed is a serious reduction of the interest charged. I have no problem paying back what I actually borrowed but 3x that is practically extortion since if I default on my loans I lose my license to practice medicine. It's a broken system that creates broke people.
for one thing, i think people should have a better understanding of what kind of debt they will have when they graduate. part of the problem is that you are dealing with young people who dont pay their own bills yet and it seems everyone is just trained to take the loan and worry about it in 4 years. so thats a huge problem.
next, i think that student loans shouldnt be subsidized and they shouldnt have special bankruptcy protection. let student loan companies price the debt properly and let them be more picky with who they loan money to. why should someone who is planning on entering a field with an average salary of 40k need to go to a school whose tuition is 50k a year? the cost/benefit ratio isnt realistic and they shouldnt get the loan.
we dont need to help people afford college, we need to let schools find ways to cut their costs.
The People's Republic of China spent exactly $91.5 billion on its military of 2.3 million soldiers in 2011. This was a 12.7% increase in spending from 2010 levels. Most experts state that their actual spending is probably approaching $150 billion.
The United States of America spent exactly $685.1 billion on its military of 3 million soldiers in 2011. This does not count an additional $37 billion allocated to "Overses Contingencies" aka Iraq and Afghanistan. Experts point out that the direct funding for the military is smaller than actual defense spending. When we account for all defense related activities and the interest incurred on the debt from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States spends between $1.030 and $1.415 TRILLION on defense activities.
Using the Chinese high number and the US low number, we spend roughly 7 TIMES the amount of money on defense that China does. In fact the United States spends as much on research and development of new weapons as China does on its ENTIRE military. The United States currently accounts for roughly 50% of the WORLDS spending on defense.
People are getting jumpy over reports the Chinese are building an aircraft carrier. Well, they are actually retrofitting a 1970's vintage Soviet carrier and it will be their first. The United States currently operates 11 modern aircraft carriers with 3 of the new Ford class carriers under construction. We have more carriers than the rest of the worlds navies combined which with the exception of Russia and China are all US allies and they each operate 1. In fact our Navy itself is larger than the rest of the worlds navies COMBINED.
People are upset over China building a stealth fighter. That's old hat. They're currently developing a fighter that is considered a 5th generation aircraft. Our 5th generation fighters are already in service and we are developing 6th generation fighters as well as leading the world in development of unmanned drones.
Don't worry big scary China won't be coming to kill us anytime soon.
****
One of the things I don't like about the Tea Party is that they are clamoring for smaller government and lower taxes, but no one says how that's going to be done. I posted a picture of a man at a Tea Party rally with a sign saying that Medicare shouldn't be touched to support socialized medicine. Outside of the irony of that statement, Medicare and Social Security are two major programs that many members of the Tea Party benefit from. Another large expenditure as I illustrated above is defense, but no one wants to say we need to cut defense spending or they will appear weak.
So, the Tea Party folks go after things like welfare and unemployment, which even if elminated in their entirety (food stamps, housing, job training, etc.) tomorrow would barely put a dent in the budget deficit. People rail on these things because they are easy. Oh, the unemployed should have saved for a rainy day. People on welfare are scum sucking leeches on society, etc. It's an easy target. No one wants to tackle the real issues as that involves an insane amoung of pain and will leave them realizing that a COMBINED approach that involves raising taxes is necessary.
Here is the current Federal Budget in a nice easy Pie Chart:
Here is our total income:
Some information....
Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Interest on the Debt and Defense are self explanatory. "Other Mandatory" is every Federal program that does not fall into one of the above categories. This is where welfare, unemployment, transportation funding, etc. comes from. This is money that was promised that has to be paid unless there is legislation passed to change it. The add-ons for the wars are in there as well. "Discretionary" is what funds the actual government from the State Department to the FBI to Department of Education, etc. These are the "Departments" of the government.
So, you need to come up with $1.294 TRILLION to close this gap. You can cut to your hearts content, but be mindful of what you are cutting. You can also raise taxes to close the revenue gap, but that is a scared cow for some of you, along with Social Security, Medicare and Defense...good luck.
On taxes, here is the best way to look at it. Taxes as a % of GDP:
As you can clearly see, expenses as a % of GDP have been going up and taxes as a % of GDP have been going down. The bar to the far right marked "12E" under Obama is the expected tax revenue as a % of GDP if Obama's tax plan was passed. Look at that and look at the rest of the chart. This is NOT raising taxes, it is simply returning them to more sustainable levels. The overall rates will still be LOWER than they were under Reagan and Bush 41.
This is my problem with the Tea Party and its supporters (and others as well), you are making decisions without actually looking at the numbers and data. Raising taxes is BAD, despite the fact they are currently at the lowest levels EVER. We need to CUT CUT CUT, but don't go after the sacred cows, despite the fact it is impossible to balance the budget without touching everything and we could basically gut the entire government and most entitlement programs and still not be able to cut taxes one dime in order to have a balanced budget.
****
On the Christianity thing, well this is my other issue I railed about earlier. My main problem with it is that the conservative camp that trumpets "honest Christian values" doesn't even have a clue about what those values actually are. If we are to apply a political leaning to Christ he most certainly would have been a socialist.
How do you think Christ would feel about capitalism and making one's daily bread on the back of another? How do you think Christ would feel about mortgage backed securities and the charging of interest by banks? How do you think Christ would feel about food stamps, welfare and unemployment? How do you think Christ would feel about our current healthcare system? What do you think Christ saw as the role of government?
I seriously doubt many preaching for a Christian dominated country in the conservative right-wing meaning have even read the Bible, just listened to preachers who told them what they wanted to hear. Here's a couple verses for you, ponder the meaning and think if your conservative values are really inline with your Christian values:
Luke 1:49-53 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Mathew 19:6-24 16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?17And he said unto him, Why do you ask me about what is good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mathew 21:12-14 12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Mark 12:28-3128 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mathew 25:31-46 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory;32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats;33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;35For I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in;36Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD
Bravo, NJGOAT. I cannot understand how ANY person thinks we are, or any policital side is currently trying to be, a "Christian" Society. And I really find it extremely distasteful whenever any one of them starts claiming to BE of Christian values. They are all exactly the opposite, from where I stand.
Wasn't there also a section that spoke of those who CLAIM TO BE Christian, but are really the direct opposite? ... And IIRC, they get the worst treatment in the end? I think it was in Revelations.
Ah no....The average Joe who borrowed more than he could afford to buy a house.
While banks and mortgage companies didn't do right by qualifying those who really didn't quality, the people who borrowed should have known better.
While it's certainly true that the average American isn't blameless in causing the collapse of our economy by borrowing more then they could afford to pay back then walking away from there obligations. Banks also lent irresponsibly, the big difference here is the banks got a bailout and the average American did not. While both engaged in risky finical investments the banks didn't have to deal with the repercussions of there bad investments. Americans to took bigger loans then they could afford were foreclosed on and lost everything.
If the banks made bad investments, they should have been allowed to collapse from there stupidity. The bailout money would have been far better spent setting up new government backed banks then to throw more money at people who obviously have no concept of risk management.
I recently graduated from vet school and my student loan debt is $396,000 (~ $60,000 was from undergrad). The interest on these loans is ridiculous. The Federal subsidized loans are around 7% and the unsubsidized (from the Direct loan federal program) are between 8-9%. Total payment of these loans with interest is well over $1,000,000 and that is absurd. My starting salary is $70,000 but repayment with the lowest level based on income will be ~ $18,000/yr leaving me with $52,000/year as a veterinarian, working around 60 hours/week. This is a big problem for many people who want to go on to pursue a graduate degree. It's not worth it in the end. This then creates a situation where there will be fewer highly educated people in the US and why we have trouble competing with other countries, especially in the science fields. Never mind those of us who now can't contribute to the failing economy because we have little expendable money to do so.
There are a lot of different reasons for the current state of our economy and this is just one of them. College tuition/student loans are a BIG problem but what do you suppose they do? If you run student loans like regular bank loans that leaves only the wealthy being able to attain higher education. I think the overhaul needed is a serious reduction of the interest charged. I have no problem paying back what I actually borrowed but 3x that is practically extortion since if I default on my loans I lose my license to practice medicine. It's a broken system that creates broke people.
With all due respect, and this isn't just directed at you but at others complaining about student loans, were you all forced to take those loans out? who says that people have to go right to College after graduating High School then going right on to get their Doctorate? is it that much of a stretch to maybe work full-time for a few years and go to School part-time? and yes, I understand that you don't like the interest rate, but over the decades people bought homes at high interest rates compared to the rates today, I'm paying a little over 7% since I've had my home and we're thinking about refinancing, but when I pay my home off I'll have paid twice as much as the loan I took out and my home lost $100,000 in value after the height of the market. Is it fun? no, but that's how it is, and people choose whether or not to take out student loans or mortgages.
With all due respect, and this isn't just directed at you but at others complaining about student loans, were you all forced to take those loans out? who says that people have to go right to College after graduating High School then going right on to get their Doctorate? is it that much of a stretch to maybe work full-time for a few years and go to School part-time? and yes, I understand that you don't like the interest rate, but over the decades people bought homes at high interest rates compared to the rates today, I'm paying a little over 7% since I've had my home and we're thinking about refinancing, but when I pay my home off I'll have paid twice as much as the loan I took out and my home lost $100,000 in value after the height of the market. Is it fun? no, but that's how it is, and people choose whether or not to take out student loans or mortgages.
the issue with college costs currently is that we've morphed into an economy that requires many people to have college degrees. that's not entirely a bad thing. we are a leader in the world because of this. you can change to your model, but then other countries will start passing us in things like R&D, Science, Technology, etc (some already have). That changes a lot of things.
as an aside - you should definitely refinance. that's a no brainer.
i dont disagree about education and society, but how in the world does vet school cost $336,000? it's a 3 year grad program right?
It's a 4 year program and tuition was about $55,000/year without books, health insurance, all the fees colleges tack on, housing, etc which brought it to around $75,000/yr. Since I'm an NJ resident and NJ doesn't have a vet school I had to pay out of state tuition. They used to contract with several states to provide in state tuition but those were cut right before I was accepted. 4th year you get charged another semester because you are in clinical rotations throughout the summer.
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