44 Comments
Aug 25, 2022·edited Aug 26, 2022

Republicans wanted Americans to "Own their education" when they killed most support for students in the 80's by way lowering the amount Pell Grants would cover and made all of us pay and pay and pay. Graduate School was where my debt accumulated (GI Bill for undergrad) and I was 59 years old and teaching at a Community College (now retired after 20 years, thank you very much!) when I finished paying off my student debt. I wholeheartedly support the president's initiative. Just because I had to pay doesn't mean that I don't value the opportunity this affords young folks. And it will help out my son. We also need to support our institutions of higher education so student debt is not required to graduate. States, with the help of the federal government, should provide 100% of the tuition costs for students at all state supported colleges and universities. Until the high cost is addressed we are just kicking the can down the road...

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After over twenty years of paying off my wife's student debt, we are ALMOST done paying it off. Are we mad that this happened now after years of paying thousands of dollars? Not one bit. It would have been great if this happened a decade ago. But we don't want our fellow Americans to go through this.

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Thank you, once again, Michael Moore, for being the voice of reason and for making my day! You spoke about two situations which I am also very concerned about. As a kid, my friends and I enjoyed the summers so much and those days are some of my best memories. The sense of freedom and adventure and connecting with friends and learning how to enjoy leisure time were precious. We need those summers because it is likely that for the rest of our working lives, we will be fortunate to have two weeks vacation. As for college debt, it is important first to remember that college and continuing education is not a piece of cake. I know any number of people who finished college with high hopes of a decent career, only to find that they also had to work weekends and have second jobs to pay off their loans, for years. Whether having a real summer vacation or having a decent education, it has everything to do with the quality of our lives. And I do believe that the more quality of life people have, the better and more productive citizens they will be, and hopefully even more compassionate and benevolent!

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It must have occurred to you: during the civil rights and anti-Vietnam war movements, the revolution was ragging on university campuses. Remember Ohio State. The ruling class thought we suffered an "excess of democracy." Rather than sending the National Guard with live ammunition, what better remedy than putting the students into debt peonage (a trick as old as humanity) for the rest of their lives, not eligible for bankruptcy, parents co-responsible! The evidence is clear: it worked.

As long as I am on most plausible truths to be utterly hidden from public view, here is another one. Universal health care: who wants to pay taxes to improve the health of Black People and other Minorities? Millions would be livid. How tragic! And sadly regrettable.

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Meanwhile, MTG says student loan forgiveness is ‘completely unfair’ despite the fact her company had loans worth $183,504 forgiven. 🤑 MAGA #PartyOfLiars

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The great documentary THE LOTTERY OF BIRTH has a short segment about the Carter Admin studying why college kids so violently marched against the Vietnam War. The findings per this documentary was that the more someone is educated, the higher their expectations were for their life and so were unwilling to die in war. The conclusion of the study was to make it harder to get into college for the masses. Could this have all started right there in a democratic administration?

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Aug 25, 2022·edited Aug 25, 2022

We need more nuns who drove us hard into loving of education -- knowledge is power. Unfortunately, they are aging out and none ( or "nones"-- those with no religion) have replaced them!! But it was on the backs of the nuns working for 'free' in the archdioceses that we were educated! Now what? Teachers need to be paid!!! Even nuns!! The Federal government needs to lead (and pay) on this to reinstate a love of (free) education instead of cheating (i.e.GOP) or dumbing down of everything that then leaves out critical thinking. I was taught; taught to analyze everything, even religion which, of course the white Christian nationalists are all dangerous fundamentalists who blindly believe in conspiracy theories!! This worries me so much. Yes, Mike, where is SMART anymore? We've gotten lazy, lax and stupid! Scary and dangerous!! When we are SMART we win all around--let's get SMART again!

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Despite not having any kids or student loans, I'm so grateful to the Biden administration for providing some relief to someone, anyone, besides the wealthiest few. With a few more "real" Democrats in the Senate, it might even be possible to eliminate some of the fossil fuel subsidies, which would more than pay for this student loan forgiveness, while beginning to address some of the ways in which we are actively making the climate crisis worse by empowering the fossil fuel industry.

Sinema and hedge-fund lobbyists managed to save a few hedge-fund billionaires $14 billion a year via their "special" tax deduction -- for scale, that's the equivalent of forgiving $10,000 of debt for one and a half million former students each year -- and even the then-new President Obama was forced to bail out bank executives and the banker class. We can well afford to extend a helping hand to those carrying student debt.

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I'm glad you are back!! I was worried about you! I'm so glad that Biden is helping people with their student loans. Sadly, my son said he won't gain anything from this bill because he has private loans that he pays $500 a month. He can't afford to buy a house in California even though he and his wife both have doctorates in their field of study. It's very sad. I think he has a year more to pay. He's making huge payments so he can get rid of it fast.

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Thanks MIchael - I too remember lazy days of summer vacation. I loved school and couldn't wait to get back to it in September. My mother was also at home for a major part of my education. I was a working Mom and summers were a challenge when my children were young. So for some, getting children back in school is a relief.

As for forgiving school loan debt.....I recently learned of the "curb-cut effect", which allowed access for handicapped people and yet, benefited everyone. It was the idea that helping the "least" among us does benefit everyone. I see that forgiving this debt does the same. I also believe that Jesus made a similar statement.

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Just came off listening to Democray Now's excellent program on student debt, so after hearing the stories of Balck women who owe $250 for getting educated (first in their families and wanting to break the peverty cycle) i couldn't share your excitement about $10 -20,000 off. Also you nailed it when you said why we son't have free higher education like we used to and like many countries do - people would be able to critically think ...BINGO! .... the big money donors to the right wing want sheep, not thinkers. Our country is in big trouble! My hope is for the mid-terms and more progressive wins!

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Thanks for coming back to us. You were missed.

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Aug 25, 2022·edited Aug 25, 2022

OPEN LETTER TO CNN,

Dear CNN,

I am not only boycotting CNN for the firing of Brian Stelter who is standing up for the democracy of the United States with his show “Reliable Sources,” on Sundays.

but I have a list of all companies that advertise on CNN and I am in the process of informing these companies that I am boycotting them too as long as they continue to advertise on CNN.

I am also posting this letter to all public comment platforms that I can find.

BRIAN STELTER IS STANDING UP FOR THE DEMOCRACY OF THE UNITED STATES AND YOU (CNN) JUST KICKED HIM OFF THE AIR.

HOW DARE YOU.

(This certainly shows what you (CNN) believe in ) ??????

(Read all about it:)

https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-cnn-cancelled-brian-stelter?r=ab98t&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

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My daughter and son in law are receiving money toward school debt. I have sent a letter of thank you to Pres Biden. It is great he kept this promise! I love the podcast you do!

Marian

Montana Senior

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I wholeheartedly agree no school until after Labor Day! Here in Sacramento my grandkids have already been in school for two weeks in 95-105 degree temps. Afternoon recess? Afternoon PE class? They are exhausted little fried kiddos when I pick them up🥵.

❤️‍🩹 Grandma Patti

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This is about the recent podcast about Mike’s visit to Maralago. Mike thought people there were taking selfies with him because his reputation of being a provocateur was over. Not at all. It has been my observation that when recognizable people and/or politicians want to sidle up to potential controversy they will seek a defense. The one true defense against any exposure by Moore would be able to brag that their selfie proves they are friends with him and all is forgiven over a political moment by Moore. The Republicans of today are also populists and a picture with Moore might be the most popular picture that will win votes. I should do an essay on my blog regarding how Moore has changed the country for better. Normally, documentaries would ruin a political figure for the truth telling. Michael Moore does not have the importance of his work in creating change because of Dark Money and the Roberts’ Court. “Sicko” was profoundly successful in creating change in the USA.

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