Student loan bill increases government meddling

Regarding the Feb. 21 editorial "More College: Senators Must Cut Out the Student Loan Middleman":

The PG editorial board suggests that its readers "cut out the student loan middleman" by supporting H.R. 3221. In a time of unprecedented deficits, this bill would further expand the role of government in an industry once reserved to the private sector. I believe the issue is better framed if the metaphor "middleman" is replaced by "free market."

In this case, the free market is composed of middle-class taxpayers who already pay their own college expenses. They won't qualify for benefits under the bill but will be required to indirectly support, yet again, the expenses of others. Moreover, they will find their college costs inflated by an artificially stimulated demand for college education. Add this to the myriad of other unintended consequences resulting from government "stimulus."

Since the PG recommends the federal government save $87 billion over 10 years while increasing benefits, it's understandable that the PG also applauds government intervention in health care and homeownership.

No matter how laudable the goal, when the government imposes its values on a free society, there are unintended consequences.

 

PETER METZLER
O'Hara