[kator]

Stupid question, if everyone does this do we expect that these loans will still be available?

Maybe it was the "best Decision of (YOUR) Life" but every time this happens it hurts these programs even more.

Congratulations on a perfectly self-centered Millennial decision that was the best decision of your life that most likely made these programs one step closer to being discontinued.

I guess I'm old fashioned, I've never signed something I've not read and I always honor my commitments to the best of my ability and with honor and respect for everyone involved.

[fnordfnordfnord]

Tragedy of the commons. A poorly designed scheme that may be at its breaking point. I do expect that as a country we will recognize the value of education (at least to the economy, if nothing else), and will find a way to educate young people. It may not always look like the current system, and IMO that's a good thing.

>Congratulations on a perfectly self-centered Millennial decision

Congratulations on your job! (and lack of empathy) Send yourself a nice greeting card "Congratulations kator, on your wise choice of [birthplace/parents/nationality/etc]." There are so many people who fail to realize the degree to which their personal success is dependent upon circumstances over which they had no control.

>I guess I'm old fashioned, I've never signed something I've not read and I always honor my commitments to the best of my ability and with honor and respect for everyone involved.

Is that because you're such a great guy, or because you've never experienced significant adversity?

[bradleyjg]

The student loan system in the United States has all kinds of negative effects, including being partly responsible for two decades of out of control cost growth in higher education. If a high default rates pushes the government to go back to the drawing board, that's a good thing.

[kator]

Don't vote by defaulting, vote by voting. To default on a loan after you signed it because you have some sort of agenda is not voting, it's just defaulting on a commitment.

[bradleyjg]

I'm not defaulting, nor am I even suggesting anyone else default. I'm countering your incorrect argument that undermining the US student loan programs is a negative consequenece of default.

In any event, I don't share your simplistic views about the morality of doing so. Anglo-American law actually favors breaching contracts when it is efficient to do so. Also these particular contracts are made in a predatory fashion, they are contracts of adhesion between the most powerful entity on the planet (the US government) and naive 18 year olds.

Try to worry a little less about your sacred honor and a little more about your fellow human beings. That's what's morality should be about.