December 07, 2005
Debt Be Not Proud
Today, your friends at the United States Supreme Court issued a severe and costly verdict against a disabled, diabetic former postal worker living in public housing in Seattle.
You see, the Bush Administration sued James Lockhart to collect the $77,000 he owes for student loans. Mister Lockhart, who also suffers from heart disease, contends that he can not afford to pay back the debt and the legal beagles representing the U.S. government argued that the $874 Lockhart receives each month from Social Security should be garnished to pay back the debt. They sued to take 15% from his check each month. That means he’ll have to live on $742.90 a month or about $9,000 a year, which clocks in about $500 less than the current U.S. definition of poverty.
Well…our pals in the Supreme Court sided with Dubya's attorneys today. Ole Sandy Day O'Connor wrote the decision against Mr. Lockhart and ordered that the percentage will be seized. Just an FYI -- Sandy’s base salary was about $200,000 last year and that doesn’t include her book deals and speaking engagement fees. Justice may be blind – but I’m sure she ain’t ever been broke. Or sick, for that matter.
You might also be interested to know that one of the American Bar Association’s top priorities is increasing judicial compensation. I guess being a judge just ain’t what it used to be – but neither is being a disabled former civil servant either, I guess.
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Some days, the excessive and cruel bullshit that is American life really fucking gets to me. This decision from the Supreme Court sounds like an attempt to (literally) nickel and dime a poor, sick man into early death. I wonder if his life insurance (if he even has any) will allow the government to finally collect its pound of flesh.
I have to confess -- my own self interest plays a part in how I feel about this story. I'm one of those people who can't keep current with his student loans, either. Shit! I can't even afford to heat my whole apartment, fix my car, buy a new suit, or eat anything other than cheap-ass macaroni.
I’m pretty fucking willing, able and motivated, especially considering it's 18 degrees outside right now. It’s just that a college degree doesn’t mean shit when your bills amount to more than your income – or when an unexpected bill cripples your cash flow.
Let’s not forget that the number one reason most folks are bankrupt these days is because of medical bills. Sometimes, people just fall on hard times. And sometimes, even the brokest of the broke are just too damn proud and contrary to ask for help. We just do our best to get by...
Life's just costly when you don't have a lot of cash.
Today's message from the Supreme Court should be a warning to anyone taking out loans to go to college -- your college dreams might become college nightmares, someday.
It reminds me of the message I always heard growing up:
Work hard.
Dream big.
Go to college.
Change your life.
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Ya know what I think of that message today:
Bullshit.
Posted December 7, 2005 04:44 PMI preach the idea of voting to make a difference and it rains on deaf ears...
We are a cruel and heartless society as a whole and if those of us with our brain stems still connected don't take control, I fear for the future that is now. Not the one 50 years from now.
Good to have you back blogging Rob..
-- posted by: Duane on December 12, 2005 02:49 AM
Track Title: Compared To What
Album Title: Atlantic Rhythm & Blues: Vol 7, 1967-1969
Prime Artist: Les McCann & Eddie Harris
Producer: Neshui Ertegun
Producer: Joel Dorn
Written by: Eugene McDaniel
Lyrics:
Another night a night of love
A hangin' only push an shove
Possession is the motivation
That is hangin' up, the Goddamn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut!
Everybody now, tryin' to make it real compared to what!
C'mon baby!
Slaughter house is a-killin' hogs
Twisted children are killin' frogs
Poor dumb red-necks rollin' logs
Tired old lady, kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt!
I can't use it!
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what!
Come on baby, now (WOW!)
The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us a rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
With chicken feathers all with out one nut
Goddamn it!
Tryin' to make it real compared to what!
Sock it to me! (Woo)
Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck, the wrath of God
Preacher's fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' a-teach us
What they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut!
I can't use it!
Tryin' to make it real compared to what!
Oh baby!
A-where's that bee,
And-a where's that a-honey?
A-where's my God,
And a-where's my money?
Unreal value is a crass distortion
Unwed mother's need abortion
Kinda brings to mind old young King Tut!
He did it now!
Tryin' to make it real compared to what!
Tryin' to make it real compared to what!
-- posted by: tim on December 8, 2005 06:20 PM
I've always felt that the push for a college degree (at least a BA) is one of the biggest loads of bullshit people our age were fed. I spent six years working in a brokerage firm in which I was one of the few people who had a degree and it gave me absolutely no edge over anyone else, except that my debt level was probably higher than theirs.
-- posted by: Bradley on December 8, 2005 01:14 PM
It is bullshit. I'll give you that. Regardless of how bullshitty it is, having a college degree of any sort DOES open doors for you. At least a few more opportunities are open for you with a degree. Doesn't matter if your occupation is in the field with which you have your degree.
And yes, it seems so mercinary. Where is the compassion?
It is disgusting, especially when you consider how abundant the supreme court justices' lives are in contrast to those less fortunate.
Additionally, wouldn't it have been possible for that man to have put his student loans into forebearance or have his monthly payment decreased, as he's on public assistance?
It just seems like everyone dropped the ball on this guy.
-- posted by: NuggetMaven on December 8, 2005 11:04 AM
I was one of those people who had their entire tax refund confiscated by the student loan folks for years and years running. They take every last dime from people who can least afford it. While I was struggling to make a real life for my family - a life that did not include welfare - the government was taking what little bit of my minimum wage pay that they could get their hands on. It's not just the Republicans, the Democrats did the same thing. It's the class difference between the haves and have-nots. If you're from the wrong side of the tracks, our government (no matter which side is in power) would like for you to just disappear.
-- posted by: Suzi Chen on December 7, 2005 09:59 PM
