Gov. taking SS benefits to pay old school loans.....

[losing_it]

By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer Wed Dec 7,12:12 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the government can seize a person's Social Security benefits to pay old student loans. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote the decision that went against a disabled man, James Lockhart, who had sued claiming he needed all of his $874 monthly check to pay for food and medication. Lockhart, 67, a former postal worker who now lives in public housing in Seattle, has heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. He has about $77,000 in student loan debt. His government benefits had been cut by 15 percent to cover debts he incurred for college in the 1980s.

Entire article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051207/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_student_loans

I imagine since he had a postal job, then he could have been more responsible for paying the debt. But my gosh, the gov is pretty cold hearted to this guy in my opinion. Especially with the abuse of other gov. programs going on.

[Genenco]

Yes, but these are direct loans from the government and damned if they'd let any taxpayer slide..As long as they're alive that is!

[JeepMom]

This is interesting. I wonder if they would do this if you have student loans but were paying on them?

Dh and I have student loans, if something happend to to I'd still have loans. I would like to think this is only if you don't pay them, much like tax returns.

[Minnymouth]

This has been setup for "if you don't pay them back".....

Minny

[JeepMom]

Then I don't feel so bad, with this man he could have declared BK on them if they were from the 80's. It was within the last few (maybe 10?) years that they made it so you could not discharge student loans.

[Lightning]

Here's a thought.

Paying back what you borrowed is the right thing to do.

Let the excuses commence.
"Oh poor me. I spent $100k on college and ended up only qualifying for a job as a burger flipper at McDonald's.
"It's not my fault I got married and had a 3 kids and decided to stay home after financing an education for an electrical engineering degree."
"I chose to go to a private college so I could be a great elementary school teacher. They're important, you know."

How many others can you name?

[sunshine08]

Lightening - do all of us a large favor - take a long walk on a short pier in the everglades of florida at alligator alley.

[AAAArt]

We all know that Lightning can be a royal PITA, but so can those who just respond with name calling. We know that on this one he is at least 70% correct. Why not challenge him/her to think and respond rather than name calling?
Lightning...wisdom, knowledge and experience come with age. Rathe than talking about excuses people make after the fact, what are you doing to help educate the teen-age consumers about fiscal responsibility, education choices and the how to be responsible?
To the others...Life is not fair, but it is hard. When I try to think why a man this age would still owe student loans, the scenario in my mind is that he prob. went for re-training since his medical condition would not allow him to go keep his former position. Hoping that his condition would improve, he would get a decent job and he could afford to pay his bills without going on the "dole". That would be, IMHO, an appropriate reason to gamble on the ability to pay back student loans. Perhaps though, his health got worse or some other piece or pieces of his plan fell apart.
It is sad. It is even sadder that our govt. has chosen to cut back on welfare, food stamps and help for the impoverished while voting to keep tax breaks for the richest people in our nation. Art

[Genenco]

Art,

In this case, I do feel sorry for the guy, but as it was Student Loans backed by the Govt, you've got one ***** of a collector on you.

Regarding Lightning, he gets what he deserves from all previous posts he's made where he's shown his rude, crude and socially unacceptable behavior
on this board.

[AAAArt]

Art,
Regarding Lightning, he gets what he deserves from all previous posts he's made where he's shown his rude, crude and socially unacceptable behavior
on this board.

Then, do you and I "get what we deserve?" or can we still believe in hope, forgiveness, compassion and understanding?
My response was not to "stand up" for lightning, but to appeal to the higher integrity and ethical standards which we normally follow on this forum.
IMHO, repeatedly attacking Lightning and calling him/her names, is hurting us as individuals and as a forum. Art

[Genenco]

Then, do you and I "get what we deserve?" or can we still believe in hope, forgiveness, compassion and understanding?
My response was not to "stand up" for lightning, but to appeal to the higher integrity and ethical standards which we normally follow on this forum.
IMHO, repeatedly attacking Lightning and calling him/her names, is hurting us as individuals and as a forum. Art

Art, is is given, if asked for.

However, I feel that Lightning should have been banned for life. Thus, this wouldn't have progressed as far as it has.

However, it is as it is.

If Lightning would agree to a set standard, then I am sure the rest would respond in kind.

However, I tend to doubt his agreement from his past actions.

[lostsoul23]

This is interesting. I wonder if they would do this if you have student loans but were paying on them?

As long as they aren't in default, no. It was either 1997 or 1998 (the exact year escapes me) when the proverbial "7 year rule" was done away with. Even as a former collector, I have to agree that if someone is on disability, and/or they are further along in years, it makes no sense to go after the fixed income because there is no way you're ever going to get it all back. There should be some type of grandfather clause that if they debt is XXX amount of years old it's done & over with. This is one of the many reasons I'm glad I no longer do that line of work.

[FoolAndHisMoney]

We all know that Lightning can be a royal PITA, but so can those who just respond with name calling. We know that on this one he is at least 70% correct. Why not challenge him/her to think and respond rather than name calling?

Yeah even a broken clock is correct twice a day...