Biden Must Defuse the Debt Machine
Mounting student debt leaves 45 million Americans in dire economic straights.
QUICK READ: For most, borrowing was the only way to afford to pay for the skyrocketing costs of college or vocational schools and have a chance to improve their lives. Many were defrauded or ill-advised by private creditors and federal student loan services. Today the average student’s debt is more than $36,000, and for African Americans the figure is 50% higher, expanding the racial wealth gap. Despite public support for debt forgiveness and a campaign promise,Biden has failed to move.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
We encourage Americans to attend college to improve their lives and make a significant contribution to our society. Higher education is part of the American dream.
For more than 45 million, the educational debt they accrued has become an American nightmare, inflicting ongoing economic and social damage throughout their lives.
Many must choose between servicing their debt and purchasing essentials. Others have been forced to delay marriages and careers, home buying and having children.
Disadvantaged groups suffer the most. Blacks owe $25000 more than whites.
During the Presidential campaign, Biden promised to alleviate this crushing pain. Yet, he has only canceled the debts of 560,000 Americans – those with permanent disabilities, defrauded by failed pay-for profit schools, and servicemen. This figure represents less than 1.4% of students with outstanding loans and only 1% of the total debt.
The President’s inaction comes at a time when more than 57% of Americans favor reducing or eliminating student debt, including a majority who did not attend college.
Our MoCs should demand that Biden act now. They must also introduce legislation to free community colleges and vocational schools and end abuses by federal student loan services and private creditors.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you:
- Demand that Biden immediately reduce student debts
- Pass legislation making community colleges and vocational schools free.
- Provide safeguards to end abuses by private creditors and the federal student loan services.
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
TUESDAY 11:30am-12:30pm LETTER WRITING PARTY - INDIVISIBLE OREGON:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/442887/Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand that your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
Rally inconsisent Democratic voters to vote in 2022 with Progressive Turnout Project | Feb, 2022 | Medium
FURTHER READING:
Biden plunges into the risky politics of student loans - The Washington Post
The ‘Unbelievable, Horrible, Crushing Weight’ of Student Loans - The New York Times
