There is someone on there with $113k in student loan debt and no degree. Yes, college is a necessity, but it is not necessary to spend over $100K for an undergrad degree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?

What is STEM?

science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?

maybe the passion should be a hobby, not a job plan

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it either. Seems like a bunch of whining. If you're not happy put that same energy into changing your situation. I paid my entire way through college, got a job and paid off my loans 100% all on my own. I have been continually employed since I was 15yo. There may be 9% unemployment in this country but that means 91% are working!

Why in the world would you assume they aren't? Believe it or not, there are lots of smart, hard-working people who are still poor and/or unemployed/underemployed.

Because they are sleeping in a park on Wall Street with no clear objective, they certainly won't find a job there. It's so easy to blame someone else for all your problems. This apathetic attitude is permeating throughout this country and we are hurting ourselves. I understand the frustration, it's clear the large banks have some culpability for the current economic situation but protesting outside the banks won't do anything. Asking the government to do something won't do anything either, government is anemic! People starting companies and pushing innovation will get this country back on track, not some media circus like sleeping in a park in NYC and marching down Wall Street or counting hits on this website.

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?

What is STEM?

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how many of the people who posted talked about medical debt, with a close second being student loan debt.

I was struck by that too. Reminds of the stats about the portion of homeless people there b/c of medical issues. I think there’s a very big difference between healthcare and education, though. I only have so much sympathy for someone mired in student loans b/c of her MFA.

This is how I feel. Sorry, but if you're going to take out hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, shouldn't you try for a degree where you will actually get a job that makes it worthwhile?

I'm not in the 1%, but I can't really say I am so bad off I need a website to lament my situation.

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how many of the people who posted talked about medical debt, with a close second being student loan debt.

I was struck by that too. Reminds of the stats about the portion of homeless people there b/c of medical issues. I think there’s a very big difference between healthcare and education, though. I only have so much sympathy for someone mired in student loans b/c of her MFA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen it. As part of the 1%, I'm a little afraid to look.

With a little luck you may lose everything and become one of the 99% and, maybe then, you won't be quite so arrogant. Some humility would do you a world of good and I wish for you all thngs that you so richly deserve and may they come soon and in spades.
Your lack of empathy is beyond belief.

I’m one of the most rabid leftists you’re likely to meet, and I don’t understand your attack on PP.

Anonymous wrote:Where did the "1% owns 99%" come from?

It’s more like 45%; PP was confused.

Anonymous wrote:And I don't understand "occupy wall street"?

Google it – it’s pretty big news.

Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?

Anonymous wrote:Is this because now white, middle class people are becoming 99%ers that this is making news? This was a reality for lots of minority folks since, well, forever.

Of course, the 'EVERYONE is a racist' poster. Let's make everything about racism. And all minorities are poor? How insulting.

Anonymous wrote:Agree it sounds like whining. Her dad lives in his car because he doesn't want to be part of the system? Um, okay.

I agree. That's fine, if you don't want to be 'part of the system' then you live with the consequences. That's a choice, isn't it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how many of the people who posted talked about medical debt, with a close second being student loan debt. If we could find a way, as a society, to make healthcare and education - two basic needs in a modern society - more affordable, we might have fewer people living on the edge. I believe in Obamacare, but I hope it really does help.

People are living on the edge because they are unemployed or underemployed. Student loans are a choice not a necessity. PP, you could have a devasting illness and even with medical insurance you could end up bankrupt. Your patronizing solutions are just that.

Isn't this exactly the problem. Why do we have to live in a country where one devastating illness can spin you into bankrupcy? I think we can do better than this.

Oh... and a basic post-college education isn't a luxury today, it is a necessity to get a job with a living wage. Not all student loan debt is a choice.

Anonymous wrote:Where did the "1% owns 99%" come from?

And I don't understand "occupy wall street"?

Please turn the news on. I'm not being snarky. There is a huge protest going on in NYC (on Wall St.) and it's coming to DC. Here is an article -

http://abcnews.go.com/US/occupy-wall-street-protests-police-make-numerous-arrests/story?id=14673346

Sounds like 50% whining and 50% true bad luck. I really feel for the posters who have medical conditions.

The 2 year old girl with no health insurance that someone is obviously exploiting by posting her picture? Umm, I'm pretty sure almost every single state has programs in place for kids whose parents can't afford health insurance.

The girl with something like $135k in student loan debt from a state school?? WTF?? How do you incur that much debt? Sorry, no sympathy there.

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it either. Seems like a bunch of whining. If you're not happy put that same energy into changing your situation. I paid my entire way through college, got a job and paid off my loans 100% all on my own. I have been continually employed since I was 15yo. There may be 9% unemployment in this country but that means 91% are working!

No, genius, it doesn't mean that 91% are working. Unemployment stats are made up of people actually looking for work. After awhile people just give up, particularly if they have been unemployed for two or three years. Idiot.