Biden Doesn’t Care If College Graduates Actually Get Any Money

 

Our Constitution, which President Biden swore to uphold, says that the President cannot spend taxpayers’ money.  No money can be spent from the federal Treasury unless Congress votes on it, and passes a law.  Our Founders, apparently, anticipated that we might have the occasional scoundrel in the office of President, who might consider using Treasury funds for political purposes.  They were, unlike my leftist friends, familiar with human nature.

Thus, when President Biden decided to give tens of billions of dollars from the Treasury to young college graduates who might vote Democrat, he could have proposed legislation to that effect.  As Presidents have always done.  And it may very well have passed.  But he didn’t do that.  His lawyers just made up a legal excuse, and Mr. Biden pretended to pull out his own personal money, and start throwing around free cash like Oprah Winfrey.  I don’t think that anyone, Democrat or Republican, thinks that this is legal.  Imagine if President Trump had announced that he was going to give every American $500 so they could buy a gun.  That would have gotten shut down quickly.  As it should have.  It’s blatantly unconstitutional.

I also don’t think that Mr. Biden cares if any college graduates actually get any money.  I suspect that he hopes that, right before mid-terms, Republicans across the country publicly try to take money away from hard-working students of color.  I even suspect that his lawyers made their rationalization intentionally weak to encourage legal challenges, giving Democrats even more opportunities to make Republicans look mean in public hearings.  He sees this as a way to gain seats in the midterms, and nothing more.  Otherwise, he would have just proposed a bill to Congress, as Presidents have always done.  This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

Or perhaps I’m being too cynical.

But over the past couple years, that seems impossible…

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  1. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    I hear that Trump is more dangerous when it comes to constitutional abuse.

    • #1
  2. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    I hear that Trump is more dangerous when it comes to constitutional abuse.

    Right.  Obviously.  I mean, just think of all the examples!  

    • #2
  3. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    I hear that Trump is more dangerous when it comes to constitutional abuse.

    Right. Obviously. I mean, just think of all the examples!

    There are some great comments on Twitter about this. I’m going to post some tomorrow.

    • #3
  4. David Foster Member
    David Foster
    @DavidFoster

    Short-term, the purpose of the loan giveaway is to influence voters in the upcoming elections.  But there is also a strategic, longer-term advantage to the Dems: colleges and universities are an important part of the Dem coalition, and it is to Dem benefit to keep them as well-funded as possible.

    • #4
  5. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Mark Levin just said that Wharton or somebody has determined that 75% of the money goes to the top 60% of the wealth or income. 

    It’s propping up the scam of higher education because it helps the Democrat party every way.

    • #5
  6. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect. 

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    • #6
  7. Ekosj Member
    Ekosj
    @Ekosj

    Excellent post.   

    And there’s no such thing as “too cynical“ anymore.

    • #7
  8. Ekosj Member
    Ekosj
    @Ekosj

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    Because the Legal challenges mounted by Republicans will make them look mean … trying to take money back from struggling young people.   “Those Republicans take away your rights!” Or some such nonsense.

    • #8
  9. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    RufusRJones (View Comment):
    Mark Levin just said that Wharton or somebody has determined that 75% of the money goes to the top 60% of the wealth or income.

    So what?

    Why does the income distribution of the recipients of Federal Government giveaways of Treasury funds matter to an American patriot?

    • #9
  10. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):
    Mark Levin just said that Wharton or somebody has determined that 75% of the money goes to the top 60% of the wealth or income.

    So what?

    Why does the income distribution of the recipient of Federal Government giveaways of Treasury funds matter to an American patriot?

    Or, why would it matter to a lawyer who has read our Constitution?

    Biden:  “I want to give money from the Treasury to…”

    Biden’s lawyer:  “You can’t.  Only Congress can spend money from the Treasury.”

    The conversation should have taken 15 seconds.

    Plus, I would love to see James Madison endeavor to lay his finger on that article of the Constitution that says the federal government can pay off student loans.

    We’re so, so far down the rabbit hole…

    • #10
  11. Retail Lawyer Member
    Retail Lawyer
    @RetailLawyer

    I’m fairly certain Biden and the Dems have the “I borrowed too much money for college and now I can’t pay it back although my community is festooned with help wanted signs” voters already in their pocket.  These people are not good at the game of life and so they are Democrats.  Rather, I think this will create a slow burn among those who paid off their loans and those who never went to college and parents who paid for their children’s college.  People don’t like to feel like a patsy for doing the right thing.  Some of these people are left leaning and this may push them over to be right leaning.

    • #11
  12. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    Did I get this wrong? All through grade school I was told to go to college. You will earn more money after the loans are paid off for the rest of your life.

    Isn’t this a memo to every college to instantly go up $10,000 on tuition?

    Dr. Bastiat: Or perhaps I’m being too cynical.

    Not cynical enough.

    • #12
  13. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Retail Lawyer (View Comment):
    I’m fairly certain Biden and the Dems have the “I borrowed too much money for college and now I can’t pay it back although my community is festooned with help wanted signs” voters already in their pocket. 

    Exactly.  He’s giving billions of dollars to a group that does not need to be bought off. 

    He’s not trying to help Democrats.  He trying to destroy Republicans. 

    Or perhaps I’m being too cynical…

    • #13
  14. db25db Inactive
    db25db
    @db25db

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):
    Mark Levin just said that Wharton or somebody has determined that 75% of the money goes to the top 60% of the wealth or income.

    So what?

    Why does the income distribution of the recipient of Federal Government giveaways of Treasury funds matter to an American patriot?

    Or, why would it matter to a lawyer who has read our Constitution?

    Biden: “I want to give money from the Treasury to…”

    Biden’s lawyer: “You can’t. Only Congress can spend money from the Treasury.”

    The conversation should have taken 15 seconds.

    Plus, I would love to see James Madison endeavor to lay his finger on that article of the Constitution that says the federal government can pay off student loans.

    We’re so, so far down the rabbit hole…

    James Madison would have a hard time recognizing today’s Republic.  wait, the government has a monopoly on loans for college?  who is the check on colleges raising their tuition?

    • #14
  15. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    I hear that Trump is more dangerous when it comes to constitutional abuse.

    Right. Obviously. I mean, just think of all the examples!

    There are thousands of examples if you consider mean and obnoxious Tweets to be unconstitutional.

    • #15
  16. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Ekosj (View Comment):

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    Because the Legal challenges mounted by Republicans will make them look mean … trying to take money back from struggling young people. “Those Republicans take away your rights!” Or some such nonsense.

    However, the opposite might be true.  Ordinary taxpayers are learning that they will foot the bill.  That means a lot of Democrats, too.

    • #16
  17. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    Retail Lawyer (View Comment):
    I’m fairly certain Biden and the Dems have the “I borrowed too much money for college and now I can’t pay it back although my community is festooned with help wanted signs” voters already in their pocket.

    Exactly. He’s giving billions of dollars to a group that does not need to be bought off.

    He’s not trying to help Democrats. He trying to destroy Republicans.

    Or perhaps I’m being too cynical…

    Ultimately this money finds its way to the colleges who are just basking in endowment funds.  If I remember right, many colleges like Yale and Harvard have so much cash right now that they could provide free tuition to all their students for the next 100 years if they chose to do so.  Chowderhead was right about colleges now upping their tuition by Ten Grand.

    • #17
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    Ekosj (View Comment):

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    Because the Legal challenges mounted by Republicans will make them look mean … trying to take money back from struggling young people. “Those Republicans take away your rights!” Or some such nonsense.

    However, the opposite might be true. Ordinary taxpayers are learning that they will foot the bill. That means a lot of Democrats, too.

    “Ordinary” Democrats seem to be okay with suffering, as long as they believe they deserve it, or something.

    • #18
  19. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Dr. Bastiat: Biden Doesn’t Care If College Graduates Actually Get Any Money

    If this is a “loan-forgiveness” deal, it means no student will actually be getting a check in the mail, or whatever.  Just their loan balance goes down by $10k.

    Which, come to think of it, might make them MORE angry!  “Where is MY money??!?!?”

    • #19
  20. Chowderhead Coolidge
    Chowderhead
    @Podunk

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: Biden Doesn’t Care If College Graduates Actually Get Any Money

    If this is a “loan-forgiveness” deal, it means no student will actually be getting a check in the mail, or whatever. Just their loan balance goes down by $10k.

    Which, come to think of it, might make them MORE angry! “Where is MY money??!?!?”

    You’re right! I’m sure at least some of them had no intention of paying it back anyways. Not only will they not get a check but would this be considered taxable income like the stimulus? I wouldn’t trust the term forgiveness. They’re not going to be happy. 

    • #20
  21. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

     

     

     

    • #21
  22. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    All the endowments combined, might not be as much as or much more than just this “forgiveness” will cost.

    It would be like taking all the money from the rich.  It would cover government spending for, what, a week?  And you can only do it once.

    • #22
  23. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    kedavis (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    All the endowments combined, might not be as much as or much more than just this “forgiveness” will cost.

    It would be like taking all the money from the rich. It would cover government spending for, what, a week? And you can only do it once.

    They have all kinds of government largess. They aren’t creating that much social utility on net. If they can’t justify the existence of those funds, they should be taken. The math doesn’t matter.

    • #23
  24. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    There’s another 10K in it for them, if they do, next time around?

    • #24
  25. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    db25db (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):
    Mark Levin just said that Wharton or somebody has determined that 75% of the money goes to the top 60% of the wealth or income.

    So what?

    Why does the income distribution of the recipient of Federal Government giveaways of Treasury funds matter to an American patriot?

    Or, why would it matter to a lawyer who has read our Constitution?

    Biden: “I want to give money from the Treasury to…”

    Biden’s lawyer: “You can’t. Only Congress can spend money from the Treasury.”

    The conversation should have taken 15 seconds.

    Plus, I would love to see James Madison endeavor to lay his finger on that article of the Constitution that says the federal government can pay off student loans.

    We’re so, so far down the rabbit hole…

    James Madison would have a hard time recognizing today’s Republic. wait, the government has a monopoly on loans for college? who is the check on colleges raising their tuition?

    Cool-headed, sage, and prudent college administrators.

    • #25
  26. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

     

    There’s another 10K in it for them, if they do, next time around?

    But they’re not getting a check in the mail.  It’s going somewhere else.  And these people have shown that they have no sense for “delayed gratification.”

    • #26
  27. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Gazpacho Grande' (View Comment):

    Hang On (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: This is obviously about Congressional elections, not college loans.

    My guess is it will have the opposite effect.

    For those who receive the benefit, why would they be more motivated to vote?

    There’s another 10K in it for them, if they do, next time around?

    And don’t forget, growing government means growing jobs.  “I’ll vote for the one who’ll grow me a government job.”

    • #27
  28. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Does anyone really know how this works?  My guess is that each individual student must fill out an application and list his income and college loans.  Then — I would think — that the direct deposits would go to the lenders.  But who knows?

    • #28
  29. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    The constitution is irrelevant but we think one man one vote will be?  If they win both houses it’s over.  Do we know that?  Will we do anything, that’s a broad we, enough to actually change the corrupt dictatorship that Obama, the digital elite, Soros and the Chinese are imposing on us.  

    • #29
  30. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Let me ask it this way.  I just read the White House briefing on student loan repayment, but I don’t understand the very general phrasing they use.  The talked about forgiving most (or eventually all) of Pell grants, but otherwise referred to student loans without specificity as to what types of loans would be partially forgiven.

    Also I just read a brief article that said that only federally granted loans would be given $10k to $20k, and would also be given a waiver from making payments through the end of the year.  The article also said that neither the forgiveness (my term not theirs) nor a waiver through the end of the year would apply to private loans that are government backed.

    Still, from what I can gather we’re still talking about $10 billion in relief, but that does not apply to all of the outstanding loans, or much of the outstanding loaned amount.

    Does anybody know how much money, and to what type of student, and for what types of loans the government is providing relief?

    • #30
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