Forgiving student loans is not a “get-out-of-jail-free card”; it is a crucial step towards rectifying a fundamental flaw in our educational system and fulfilling the American promise. In today’s economy, a high school diploma is no longer sufficient to secure a fair shot at the American Dream. While there was a time when this level of education was enough, that era has long passed. This shift is not meant to diminish the accomplishments of those, like my father, who succeeded without a college degree, but rather to acknowledge that such success stories are increasingly rare exceptions rather than the rule.

We must recognize that the cost of higher education has become a barrier to opportunity for too many Americans. You paid for an education that should have been covered as a public good, not treated as a luxury. We invest in education because it benefits all of us, strengthening our society and economy. Higher education is a capital investment in our future workforce, and it’s time we treated it as such.

Key Points of My Position

1. Righting a Wrong: Student loan forgiveness is about addressing the broken promise of affordable education. It acknowledges that a modern economy requires more than a high school diploma, and the costs associated with this necessary education should not be a lifelong burden.
2. Economic Necessity: In an increasingly global and competitive economy, access to higher education is essential. Our workforce needs advanced skills and knowledge to compete, innovate, and thrive. Making education accessible and affordable is a critical investment in our nation’s future.
3. Public Good: Education should be seen as a public good, similar to primary and secondary education. By covering the costs of attending public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, we invest in our collective future. This is not a perk or giveaway; it’s an essential investment.
4. Federal Debt Forgiveness: We must address the existing burden of student debt. Federal student loans should be forgiven to provide immediate relief to millions of Americans struggling with this financial burden. This will free up resources for individuals to invest in homes, businesses, and their communities, stimulating economic growth.
5. Future Coverage: Moving forward, attending a public university, community college, or technical school should be covered. This approach ensures that future generations do not face the same financial hardships and can pursue higher education without the fear of crippling debt.

By forgiving student loans and ensuring that higher education is covered moving forward, we can right an obvious wrong and fulfill the promise of equal opportunity for all Americans. This is about more than individual financial relief; it’s about investing in our collective future and ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream. Let’s make education a priority and recognize it as the essential public good that it is.