Why I Defaulted on My Student Loans (Inside the mindset of the liberal entitlement philosophy)

Years later, I found myself confronted with a choice that too many people have had to and will have to face. I could give up what had become my vocation (in my case, being a writer) and take a job that I didn’t want in order to repay the huge debt I had accumulated in college and graduate school.

Or I could take what I had been led to believe was both the morally and legally reprehensible step of defaulting on my student loans, which was the only way I could survive without wasting my life in a job that had nothing to do with my particular usefulness to society.I chose life. That is to say, I defaulted on my student loans.

As difficult as it has been, I’ve never looked back. The millions of young people today, who collectively owe over $1 trillion in loans, may want to consider my example.

No. Certainly not a new entitlement.

And thanks for not jumping on me a labeling a worm for my failure, however accurate that may be. I was a little worried confessing my situation for that reason.

I served in the Marine Corps and came in between the old GI Bill and the new (they are always changing and fiddling with this stuff). I signed a reserve contract and went active. I was told I did not qualify for the GI Bill and if I wanted to, I had to wait to re up for 6 more, active or reserve. By that time, my undergrad was half done so I would be signing six to get 2 years of benefits. Fool me once. I received no money from the military for school.

Still, I have no bad feelings. Joining the service to do anything other than serve is questionable. I loved my time in and what I did (machine gunner then F.O.). Go and kill for the US gov, get money for school and then gain enlightenment is a silly plan or simply as a means of employment (I’m really not that cynical). IF it wasn’t for the Corps I would never have been around college grads and those seeking higher ed. It was also important to see those that completely eschewed any education at all. I would not have had the drive to pursue an education without the Corps. I was the first person in my family to go to school so I made a lot of mistakes along the way (over borrowing, repeating classes trying to figure it out). Still, I am glad I did it. I now have two masters degrees (A friend once introduced me as a man possessing more degrees than a rectal thermometer).

What I do know is that inflation takes on two forms, one is simply an increase in the money supply (printing press), the other increased or easy credit (housing bubble, student loans, etc). Easy money for school has run up the price of education ridiculously high. What is worse is that people go to school to get a job. This is the wrong reason, in my opinion. You should go to school for an education, self improvement, an expansion of your mind. It is for this reason I am happy I went. My life is fuller, more meaningful, deeper, and in itself, a continuing education. Trade schools/vocations schools are for getting jobs. Universities are largely for seeking education and self improvement, a job is a nice benefit. Too many go simply because that is the thing to do which is the wrong reason.

Given that the Loonie-Left will become (even more) vicious and insane when the next Prez attempts the undoing, I think Walker would be best for that job given what he went through in Wisconsin.

I'd be happy with Walker/Cruz or Cruz/Walker, or any other combination of conservatives. I don't want anyone on the ticket who supports Obamacare, Amnesty, or any restrictions on our God-given and constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms. It's not clear to me that either Cruz or Walker would be much better than the other, although I am leaning Cruz. I'd like to see the weaker of the two drop out after the first 3-4 states, throw his support behind the other, and campaign full-time for the other - a conservative nominee. We cannot afford to split the conservative vote while Jeb racks up enough crossover votes that the insiders at the convention can push him across the finish line.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.