NBC News Special Report Featuring Brian Moran

Thanks to Paul Goldman for catching this. Heckuva job central committee!

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Comments

[change]

Sorry I don’t have much sympathy that these folk cant “take a vacation”.

I’ve worked almost 40 years and have not been able to “take a vacation” because I decided things like my loans, mortgage, etc… were a responsibility not to be taken lightly. My 40 year old house has issues that need fixing also, but I do what I can, when I can afford it. (call me “old school”)

Clinton brought in an era where “oral sex” was not really “sex”, now Obambi is bringing in an era where “debt” is not really your own fault; be it mortgages, credit cards, student loans (I suppose car loans are next). What are our children supposed to think?

If anyone is stupid enough to believe that going to school (public or private) will automatically make them rich, they deserve to spend some time paying for that ignorance.

Maybe we need to help the next generation understand that “there is no free lunch”, “nothing is guaranteed”, “don’t bite off more than you can chew” etc..etc.. ; instead of teaching them that “everything is someone else’s fault”, “the Gov’t (read some other hardworking American) will take care of your mistakes”, “when the going get’s tough bail out”.

Our leadership (both parties) has promoted the idea of “passing the buck” to an entire generation who are now, instead of suffering the consequences, are looking for the next “bail out”.

As Obambi’s mentor once stated “the chickens are coming home to roost”.

There comes a time when people need to face reality and quit blaming others for their own recklessness. It is time to return to a mind-set of personal responsibility. Only then may we begin to rediscover the greatness that made this “land of opportunity” (not land of guarantees), a place where so many risked so much for the “opportunity” to succeed.

[ctrl-alt-del]

While I agree with what you say in regards to personal responsibility that's not what the story is about.

It's about the increasing costs of a college degree which is increasingly paid for by Uncle Sam courtesy of loan sharks in the financial aid departments of colleges and universities.

For many borrowers it doesn't matter how much they make. They could essentially make it into the top 5% of income earners and college loans would still be a burden.

Bottom line - read what you sign, buy a calculator and do the math, and don't bite off more than you can chew.....but you rarely hear that in financial aid offices.

[RichmondDem]

"I’ve worked almost 40 years and have not been able to “take a vacation”"

Well, that sure explains a lot.

[???]

Well, it's leftists like you who insist on giving more people college degrees. And for what? So an increasing number of restaurant servers or ignorant left-wing bloggers can have a degree? See http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/the-great-college-degree-scam/28067

No wonder government policies like the ones you advocate create the for-profit colleges you turn around and loathe. Is the situation much better for non-profit educational institutions? Oh, yeah, and then you Democrats take over the lending market so people can't get lower interest rates to pay off their debts.

Glad you are having a nice vacation, dropout!

[Larry Sabato's Hairpiece]

Hopefully this is without too many typos...

This is just like the mortgage crisis where sleazeball institutions made loans, funded by loony government programs that distorted the market and created economically-unsound easy money, to unqualified borrowers who lacked the basic critical thinking skills to see that you should not take a $350,000 adjustable mortgage on a teaser rate when you bring home $40,000 a year. The scummy institutions, the insane government programs and the brain-dead borrowers are back, just the names have been changed.

My point is that everyone deserves a piece of the blame. The couple that was $250K in debt? No sympathy. Did they every think for a moment that there comes a point when the income value of the degree they are seeking will not generate the cashflow to cover the loan payment? Why should I feel any more sympathy for them because they made stupid purchasing/investing choices borrowing for education than I would had this been mortgage or credit card debt?

Now none of this lets the for-profit colleges off the hook. Let’s be perfectly honest. The average HR recruiter should be excused if they accidently mix up an applicant’s degree from the University of Phoenix with…oh, I don’t know…say…a piece of toilet paper. They are selling a totally worthless product (access to education and giving the students more skills my ass) to people who don’t have a clue what they are buying but are desperate to buy it. It is the same market as “buy here/pay here” sleazy used car sales.

But never forget what allows both sides of this equation to exist. Incredibly dumb government programs that distort markets. If the easy money, government-backed and subsidized loan programs (created by Tom Harkin and a pack of other fools who, once again, believe Economics 101 somehow doesn’t apply to their scheme) didn’t exist, none of this would be happening. The for-profits wouldn’t exist because NO ONE would be knocking on their doors. The huge loans to people (who, by taking them, prove they are neither smart enough nor savvy enough to be in college) who will never be able to pay them would not exist. Is there a place for government in the financial aid world? Absolutely. But that place is a lot smaller, a lot more competitive and a lot less distortive of the marketplace. And some people would probably not qualify. But that’s OK. Let’s face it. If they are at University of Phoenix, chances are strong that they are academically unprepared for their course of study to begin with. Not like they are turning down UVA and Tech to go to University of Phoenix.

As for Brian, all I can say is this. If he truly believes his own bullshit, then I fully expect that he will encourage every member of his family that is getting ready for college to only “apply” to University of Phoenix, Stratford University, South University, and Strayer (“Next stop? The corner office.”) University. I mean, if the product is that good that he is willing to back it, I am sure it is good enough for his loved ones.

[change]

RichDem
Not sure what you believe that choosing not to take vacation, and instead cashing in the time to pay expenses, “explains”. Some might believe it to be a responsible act.
Of course I could live like a liberal and take vacations to Hawaii, run up the credit cards, buy a house I can’t afford and claim that someone snookered me; thereby passing MY debt to some poor working stiff who actually pays his taxes.
But I choose not to… maybe that is what makes me a conservative….

Do you have the ability to expound on your comment or is it just an ad hominem attack?

I might, go out on a limb, and bet my next vacation check that you have never held a job that was not supported by taxpayer funds; and that you have taken plenty of vacations… but that would be rather irresponsible of me…

[Loudoun Insider]

I still can't believe the Dems elected this guy as Chairman!

[truthteller]

Change, that's really rich, you whining about ad homenim attacks, as that actually is just about all you did. Apparently in your world nothing is the fault of private enterprise and the GOP because they are saintly and can do no wrong. Sure is nice being able to blame everything on Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and those liberuls and not having to take you know any personal responsibility.

And I agree with Richmond Dem, your not taking a vacation in 40 years explains a lot. Try taking a vacation (or at least a hiatus from your repugnant posts on this blog)....

[change]

tt,
Would you like to tell me where I did what you stated?.
Seems you are just spouting baseless invectives in order to fill some space (as usual). It is unfortunate that truth cuts you so deeply.
When you actually have something to debate I suggest you “bring it on” (in the words of real men).
Until then I suggest you sit by your milk and cookies and wait for Santa to bring you all that you wish; and if he does not; you can whine and cry in typical liberal manner because you did not receive the “free” gifts to which you feel “entitled”.
Merry CHRISTmas to you and all your liberal friends, I sincerely hope you may someday find the ”real” truth that you so obviously lack.

[RichmondDem]

Yup, sure does explain a lot.

What happened to the conservative commenters on this blog that weren't misanthropic sociopaths?

[truthteller]

Need examples of baseless invective Change? Hurling insults at Obambi, smearing liberals, claiming we're all looking for handouts and not paying our fair share, working hard for a living and contributing taxes? That fits the bill IMO...

Also, being the narrow minded, judgmental you are you failed to consider the possibility that I'm Jewish and don't observe Christmas.... And no I'm not looking for a handout for Chanukah either!

Go rot in your Ayn Randian utopia, exulting in your indifference to the well-being of others and leave us the heck alone.

[truthteller]

Oh, and btw Change, let me remind you that according to the teachings of the New Testament, Jesus said, "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

[A Voter]

Heh, I love it when non-Christians attempt to quote the Bible out of context... it's like watching Martha Stewart give an ethics lesson.

[truthteller]

Oh how is the sermon on the mount out of context? Would love to hear the theology lesson from ethical neanderthals...

[A Voter]

The sermon itself IS the context. Using a line from the sermon in order to make a political point, without having any understanding of this context (as is made clear in the way you used it) is just foolish.

[change]

tt,
I love it when, you can’t make an intelligent argument, you just change the subject… pure genius…
But as much as it bores me I will respond:

I don’t insult Obambi, only the policies.
I actually believe if he were older, had more experience, and had some “real world” experience he would probably be a very good Pres. It is too bad that he has had to do so much OTJ training especially with liberal poodles nipping at him. Btw.. have you noticed how many of those “Bush policies” he has kept in place???

As for liberal “handouts, taxes, work ethic, whining, crying, bitching, complaining, laziness, etc…” , I can only say “if the shoe fits wear it” It seems the truth angers you, that is usually the case; I won’t apologize for reality.

Speaking of “narrow minded”, do you not know any Jew’s that celebrate Christmas? I do.
I don’t believe you are Jewish (at least not Orthodox) from your writing.
My guess is that you are at best an agnostic because you don’t have enough conviction to be a true atheist, for fear that you might just be wrong and, would like to hedge your bet.
After all, who really wants to go to hell (if there is one) right tt??

Additionally, I have found that most of those who find it necessary to publically feign concern about the “well-being of others”; usually want to do it with somebody else’s time or money as they don’t want to sacrifice their own pleasures or comforts.
Most people, who do the “true” giving, do so quietly and from the heart.
Your conscience will tell you in which category you fall.

Next, I agree with the other posters, you should refrain from Bible quotes; as you do not have a clue of context or meaning.

I will dispense with the Happy New Year salutation, lest I offend someone from China or India or some other culture that chooses not to celebrate our calendar (right tt??).
(hey tt, feel like an idiot yet?).

Finally, next time you wish to debate try to remember the adage; “don’t bring a knife to a gunfight”. That is all for this thread tt, I grow weary of your impudence.