The Huffington Post
By John Murray
“Our economy can’t afford the trillion dollars in outstanding student loan debt, much of which may not get repaid because students don’t have the capacity to pay it.” President Obama recently said this during his economic road trip in Buffalo, New York, and Americans wholeheartedly agree. Not only are the costs associated with higher education too high, but also the economic rut we are in does not foster an environment for students and recent grads to pay back their loans.
Recently, YG Network conducted focus groups with middle-class Americans throughout the country, and many individuals have said that the costs of higher education- as well as everyday costs- are rising, but they are not faring better economically. When considering problems facing the middle-class, respondents said the following:
• The “[c]ost of living is going up- groceries, gas, food, and tuition.” — Phoenix
• “Higher education is too expensive and putting too much burden on kids.” — Minneapolis
• “The debt I am in makes me sick to my stomach. The thought of funding my children’s education seems impossible.” — Phoenix