a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by mk
mk  ·  4160 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Objections to Oregon's "Pay-it-Forward" tuition plan

Perhaps, but my guess is that future students will continue to pay increased rates. And, if costs are already too high, is this a good way to address that? You can legally default on loans. You would be evading taxes if you didn't pay these. IMO it seems like a fix for a symptom, that allows the problem to continue.





user-inactivated  ·  4160 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    You can legally default on loans. You would be evading taxes if you didn't pay these.

You can "default" on student loans, but in the United States government will garnish your wages and tax refunds at a much higher rate than Oregon's proposed 3%, not to mention all the harassment and extra fees that go along with debt collection.

    IMO it seems like a fix for a symptom, that allows the problem to continue.

I agree, really. I think education should be completely free. But from an economic oppression standpoint Oregon's plan is a massive improvement. You're not permanently stuck with a debt that may be impossible to pay off, the payments are totally determined by your circumstances. However, I would be happier if it was progressive rather than flat.

mk  ·  4160 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I have to say that the one part I do like is the progressive nature of what is collected. But I imagine that employers in higher-paying industries would find ways around this, either through options, or some means of converting pay into investment income.