Flunking Economics

Neither of our sons will face a huge tuition bill;

They won't have to pay for college 'cause their father will.

I assume they're both aware how fortunate they are

And will quit complaining that we won't buy them a car.

They're in the minority...  Most students need a loan;

Going into debt before they're out and on their own.

Starting life with shiny new degrees and payments due.

'though Obama wants to help, there's not much he can do.

If he said that water's wet the Right would say he's wrong.

You can kiss the Warren bill for loan reform so long.

GOP calls it a stunt; her bill will never pass...

Were I teaching Economics, they would flunk my class.

If your future work-force faces huge amounts of debt,

Forcing them to take the first job offer they can get,

Spending shrinking wages paying off their student loans,

They won't have the income to be keeping up with Jones.

Who's Steering The Ship of State?

Income inequality, where few hold all the wealth,

Hasn't proven helpful to our economic health.

As we lose the middle class we lose the driving force

For a strong recovery because we've lost its source.

I hate to sound cynical because I'm, mostly, not.

I'm inclined to give something a fair and decent shot,

But I'm an idealist who doesn't understand

How the situation's gotten quite so out of hand.

I've begun to wonder, since we've given this a try

(and we've seen it doesn't work since poor people can't buy

Anything but food and Walmart clothing for their backs.

Unemployment's bad without degrees and worse for blacks...)

Why don't we try something else?  I think it's time we did.

Politicians work for those who've placed the highest bid.

We have got to change the law that lets those bidders hide.

How else will we know if we've been taken for a ride?

When Hell Freezes

I hope college students had their loans all set to go;

Locked in rates at 3.4...  They've doubled since, you know.

Now the rate is 6.8 to take a college loan.

Meanwhile, Congress only seems to bicker, bitch and moan.

Students will already spend a fortune for degrees.

They need help from Senators but I fear hell will freeze

Before there is compromise from Members on the Hill;

That's when we'll see action out of Congress...  Not until.

Dear GOP... Where Did You Go To School?

Current student debt stands at $1 trillion. (Photo/Occupy.com)

Rates on college student loans could do as much as double...

Meaning current graduating seniors are in trouble.

GOP would tie the rates to markets; experts fear

Their solution could cost kids a thousand bucks a year.

President Obama says he'll veto any move

That does more to harm these kids than it does to improve.

We need college educated people in the States;

Why would we add more financial burdens to their plates?

College can be hard enough without this added debt.

It is in the int'rest of our country that we get:

Future scientists and doctors, teachers, engineers...

Those whose future taxes pay for our declining years.

How are they supposed to pay for us when we get old?

They'll be paying college loans while we're out in the cold.

I think that Republicans should stop and think this through.

Students will remember them when that first bill comes due.

Student Loan Debt Reform - I Think I Have A Thought

 

If you ask a college student what's the biggest thing

They think that their higher education's gonna bring

I'd be more than willing now to offer you a bet;

10 to 1 their answer is a huge amount of debt.

(My 2 sons are fortunate 'cause we can help them out.

Lucky them, because with recent grades I sorta doubt

They'll be getting scholarships to any decent schools.)

Congress passed a compromise, but I don't think it fools

Students into thinking all their problems have been solved.

As the problem grows, my own position has evolved.

Had a driveway moment and I think I have a thought...

Let's expand Academies where Sciences are taught.

I was in the Navy and my father is a grad...

(Room-mate of McCain's - back in the days when he was bad.)

I am here to tell you that the brightest of our best

Choose to serve their country and give pocketbooks a rest.

Why don't we train scientists and doctors in this way?

Give them educations and use services to pay?

Industries are begging for some well trained engineers.

We are wasting talent.  We've been doing it for years.

Families who can't afford to pay the soaring cost

For a college education - don't... Their kid gets lost.

Think of all the minds that languish in the talent pool.

Time that we recruit them to a U.S. Service School.

Mother Nature is a Witch

Florida got too much rain.  Out West there's not enough.

Seen the pictures on TV? Apocalyptic stuff.

Residents of Florida might need to build an ark.

So much smoke in Colorado, daytime skies are dark.

We have had our share of floods...  My sisters got hit twice.

Watching as the waters slowly rise; it isn't nice.

But, I can't imagine how it feels to watch as flames

Devastate whole neighborhoods. There're no insurance claims

That could ever cover such a terrifying sight.

Country's heart is breaking for the people in this plight.

Puts the whole Supreme Court thing, and Congress in their place.

They're just small potatoes when disaster's face to face.

Student loans, the Health Care Act, the Highway Spending Bill...

Issues we can work out should our Congress find the will.

Mother Nature doesn't care which side you might be on.

When she says "You're out of here" my friends, then you are gone.