To the editor:

Want to raise the competence and vitality of our nation? Rather than saddle college students with unprecedented loan debt due to lack of investment in education, we need to return to valuing education. A good education helps people get jobs that generate taxes which actually pay back educational investment. So little to disagree with there, but since 1980 Republican policy has starved education, increased student debt while making tons of money for banks.

Economists realize that as today’s college students enter the workforce with over a trillion dollars of cumulative debt, they aren’t likely to make major purchases or even have a little extra money to circulate in the economy. Today’s graduates struggle for decades to pay off loans that far overshadow college loan and tuition costs prior to 1980. I graduated in 1978 with almost no student debt, thanks to our nation’s commitment to investing in education. It would be hypocritical for me to say loan forgiveness is not called for today, as the level of debt students face makes it extremely difficult to get ahead.

It is convenient to ignore the historical difference in education policy and throw stones at the President Biden for taking steps to help people who want to further their education, but it is unfair and disingenuous. Our nation is suffering while the party that gives unbridled handouts to the wealthy through special tax breaks is breaking the backs of the young people working hard to contribute to society through hard work and education. Whether we live in a city or rural area we share common ideals of growing healthy communities by valuing children, families and education. We can and must support strong public schools and support the ability to access higher education.

Darwin Dyce

Ghent