“Do everything out of selfish ambition and vain conceit. In arrogance, value yourself above others, looking to your own interests, not the interests of others.”

That’s what Saint Paul said in Philippians, right? Apparently, that’s the attitude of many politicians when it comes to their opinion on Biden’s relief plan for student debt. 

Many are claiming that the forgiveness of student loan debt is unfair. In an interview with Newsmax, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is quoted as saying the new arrangement is off base.

“For our government to just say ‘ok your debt is forgiven’… it’s completely unfair,” she said.

However, the White House has stated that Greene had $183,504 forgiven in PPP loans. 

Meanwhile, Florida State Representative, Vern Buchanan, feels similarly. In late August of this year, Buchanan posted on Twitter, complaining as well.

“As a blue-collar kid who worked his way through college, I know firsthand the sacrifices people make to receive an education. Biden’s reckless, unilateral student loan giveaway is unfair to the 87 percent of Americans without student loan debt and those who played by the rules,” the Tweet read. 

The White House has stated that Buchanan had a whopping $2.3 million in PPP loans forgiven.

There seems to be a trend of hypocrisy coming from politicians who don’t think other people deserve to have their loans forgiven while they themselves have had exponentially more forgiven than the $10-$20k that students struggling with debt are being relieved of. 

Student loan debt has been a problem that has been aching to be solved for a while now. 

In March of 2022, the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Office provided that in all, the national amount of student loan debt had accumulated to $1.6 trillion. 

Some Ferrum students have been pleased with the debt relief plan. 

“Due to my situation, I can receive up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness. If I was to get the full amount, it would only leave me with $7,000 in debt left to pay off, which I would be able to do within two or three years instead of paying student loans for the next ten to twenty years,” said senior, Harley Steger. “I can’t say what other steps should be taken, I am just grateful that this one was.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Alex Reed just took loans out this year and didn’t qualify for debt relief, but he agrees with the plan. 

“It’s a great start for sure!” he said.

Reed went on to say that 0% or at most a 1% – 3% interest on student loans would be a good step.

“Maybe another round of forgiveness for the ones who missed out,” he suggested.

Individual students receiving debt forgiveness are a small drop in the bucket of the amount of debt that’s still accumulating interest and wreaking havoc on credit scores. This is a huge first step that is hopefully a domino that tips to create more relief for students, both former and current, who are drowning in debt. As this country grows, we are thankful to have different programs that will help those who are struggling. 

For those who believe it’s unfair that they had to pay their loans off and that everyone else should have to do the same should look back on everything else that has progressed. We are an ever-growing, always changing society that works to improve life for the generations that come after us. No one should suffer just because the generation prior had to. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 2:3-5