Billionaire philanthropist pays off student debt for college graduating class (Sanders, politician)

[Buckeye77]

Good on him

[Old Gringo]

Originally Posted by citidata18

The negativity in the responses is certainly revealing.

Whatever happened to just being happy for other people when good things happen to them?

In this case, the "other people" are seen as "the enemy" by the rabid right.

After all, they're college grads.

According to the hard right, they've been indoctrinated.

Don't expect rationality from them.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by Old Gringo

Robert Smith pledged to pay off the student debt for the graduating class at Morehouse College in Atlanta yesterday. He left them with a message:

“Now, I know my class will make sure they pay this forward,” said Smith, who received an honorary doctoral degree Sunday.

We sure could use more like him.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...=.aab3a77d1b31

Student loan debt is a major economic hurdle in the USA and it's an issue that few other developed nations face, because the cost of higher education in those countries is less burdensome.

Awesome gesture!

[Rakin]

Many Democrats like DeBasio, Booker and Warren would say him having all this money is the problem and it should be taken by the Government. Me, I'm glad there are super rich Philanthropist like Gates, Paul Allen and this guy who uses their money generously to help others.

Much better him to voluntarily use his money for good purposes or to build jobs than the Govt to take it and waste it with their bloat on what they think is "Socially Right".

I might have made a gift of say $25,000 each to every student. Seems like it does penalize the student who worked 3 jobs and stayed out of debt.

But good for him for spending as he deemed best.

[MJJersey]

Originally Posted by Old Gringo

In this case, the "other people" are seen as "the enemy" by the rabid right.

After all, they're college grads.

According to the hard right, they've been indoctrinated.

Don't expect rationality from them.

I’m a college grad (and more). I paid off all my debt.

[texan2yankee]

while initially happy for the graduates with student debt who will now receive a free college education courtesy of a benevolent billionaire, I'm skeptical this good deed will turn out well for Robert Smith down the road. No good deed goes unpunished.

[Mathguy]

His money, his call. I appreciate his charitable gesture.

Some of the students will come out better than others on this but oh well, such is life.

If it were me, I'd probably have said something like "10k minimum" so if you had no debt you'd get something.

P.S. For those of you complaining, it's not like he handed out bundles of money to everyone in line at mcDonalds. These kids have graduated college, even if their major isn't nuclear engineering that's an accomplishment. Sheesh, cut them some slack.

[Mathguy]

Just back of the envelope but (assuming) average 40k debt x 400 students = 16mil.

[NeutralParty]

What a cool thing for him to do!

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by MJJersey

I’m a college grad (and more). I paid off all my debt.

Good for you! Want a cookie?