Industry Lobbying Imperils Overhaul of Student Loans

[ShockediSay]

Source: NYTimes

Four months ago, it appeared all but certain that the White House and Democrats in Congress would succeed in overhauling the student loan business and ending government subsidies to private lenders.

President Obama called the idea a “no-brainer” last fall, predicting it would take billions of dollars from the profits of private lenders and give it directly to students, and many colleges were already moving to get loans directly from the federal government in anticipation of the next move by Congress.

But an aggressive lobbying campaign by the nation’s biggest student lenders has now put one of the White House’s signature plans in peril, with lenders using sit-downs with lawmakers, town-hall-style meetings and petition drives to plead their case and stay in business.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/us/politics/05loans.html

---

How is it we are supposed to be a democracy again?

Why should corporations get tax deductions for
lobbyists when all they do is bend 'round the
populist will of the majority?

Why even bother to vote when K Street, lobbyists
paid with tax deductions by corporations, and now
unlimited corporate money drive a basically fascist
Washington.

I just decided. I'll work on pro-democracy writing
campaigns, but until the corporations and the lobbyists
are out of the system, I boycott voting as a useless exercise.

PS maybe I'll vote for Obama again, because he's the one
chance we have to wake America up to what it's become.

Last chance Dems to make a dent with the last freely
elected majority...remove the tax deduction for lobbyists
and their outrageous fees!

[CoffeeCat]

1. Are these lobbyists carrying machine guns?

Sheesh. What is with this article? Lobbyists have now put Obama's plans "in peril".

All these greedmonger, corporate rats have to do is show up--and suddenly what is best for America is "in peril"?

Oh please.

Is this a joke?

Just say no to the lobbyists. Is it really that hard? I've grown a little weary of the, "Oh dear God NOOOOO!!
The Lobbyists!! They're talking to me!!! They're lobbying me!!! Can't...think...for...myself...must...bend...to...their...will."

If you really think about this...it's nonsense.

[ShockediSay]

4. Sounds like troll freeper lobby propaganda to me nt

[PATRICK]

10. Compared to the Gilded Age

when workers were propagandized and intimidated to lining up at the polls for the GOP to swamp the populist wave from the rural areas(before unionization switched around that absurdity so that exactly the opposite happens now) the GOP mainly relies on pure propaganda, more scientific and pervasive and very intense lobbying at every nook and cranny where money itself has influence. That and vote fixing with idiotic Dem party cooperation.

The "threats" are reduced to a small number of people who are throwing Americans out of work regardless how they vote, importing cheap food from slave labor overseas to ruin the American farmer, and generally emptying profit and wealth of any benefit to the citizen or society(to put it extremely mildly).

One vulnerable or meaningless Senator from a small sate with no popular backing. One wacko group or lobbyist generated PR campaign manned by outrageous stooges and nuts. One talking point barrage by the MSM. One fixed GOP poll decline. it all sounds like a pretext to side with the tidal flow of money influence and corruption. THAT is not being opposed as if it is some wisdom from a modern King Canute that you cannot turn back the ocean. It is not the ocean, it is pampered corporate scions to far gone in power and money impunity to make deals with.

And a whole generation of pols so steeped in money corruption(whether it is a "crime" or not) they are paralyzed by the displeasure of wealth in any shape or form. The general population and sincere progressives are nonplussed how to deal with the mammon majority because there is no clear stance such as genuine socialism(anathema in American discourse) would provide. Instead a dysfunctional government leadership argues on behalf the muddled "middle", half falsely propagandized, half ignorant and shut out.

As if this is sane and nothing is wrong and things can be done if we all just get along with the abusers.

[Thothmes]

16. Don't need machine guns. Check books will do the job nicely.

[Jefferson23]

2. Oh please Democrats, do not screw this up.

[groundloop]

3. Yet another example of lobbyists using congress to thwart change

This proposal by the President, instead of paying huge fees to middlemen to process student loans just make those loans directly to students, makes so much sense I don't see how anyone with half a brain could be against it. But then again, it will have to make it through our dysfunctional Senate before becoming law, so that drastically cuts it's chance of success right there.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Industry Lobbying Imperils Overhaul of EVERYTHING

[Thothmes]

17. No. It is the Congressmen that accept lobbyist

money and favors that imperils the overhaul of Everything.

[Jefferson23]

6. When has the press ever followed these creeps around with a camera?

It would help if they put a face and names to these cretin's, and who exactly they meet with.

[ShockediSay]

12. www.politico.com/lobbying/

AND how 'bout we require all communications w/ Congress or staff be committed to a written transcript?

Let's determine whether these lobby lawyers really help the process {BS !!!}
or commit the crimes of bribery and extortion. THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN PASS BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE BEFORE UNLIMITED CORPORATE MONEY {the basis of Fascism} TOTALLY CORRUPT OUR NEXT ELECTION.

[Jefferson23]

14. Thanks for the link. I should have stipulated that the TV MSM does

not participate in exposing this activity, not as far as I know anyway.

I agree with you, a transcript would be great. This way we learn what exactly they are lobbying for.

Those who lobby for clean air, those that don't etc.,which group is funneling in money and how much.

[ananda]

7. The corporate rightwing IS the government.

That is the reality.

And it extends effectively to all three branches.

[bluestateguy]

8. Lobbying; what a dishonorable profession

a bunch of greedy crybabies in suits.

[Thothmes]

18. What about th dshonorable Congressmen

whose support and votes can be bought. A bunch of greedy crybabies in suits.

[KansDem]

9. Direct loans are the only way to go...

I attended grad school with both the NDSL and GSL.

I have one paid off. Guess which one?

[BostonScorpion]

11. I am Shocked!!!

Politicians putting banks and big business ahead of education and the needs of middle and working class americans!

I am so tired of having little to no representation in my government. Yes I will continue to vote Democratic because the suck less than Republicans.

Oh and hello everybody I am the new guy :hi:

[ShockediSay]

13. WELCOME

ABOARD !

Looking forward to your future written thoughts

[BostonScorpion]

19. Well thanks

I promise I shall have some written thoughts in the near future

[KansDem]

15. Welcom to DU!

I will continue to vote Democratic because the suck less than Republicans.

You're not alone...

:dem:

[BostonScorpion]

20. I often feel....

that as important as elections are they should come last when in comes to our resources (time, money, etc.) We need to focus on building our connections with our communities and helping to educate our fellow citizens against the onslaught of corporate propaganda. When I ever I feel pessimistic I always try to remember that we have half the battle won. People know they are being screwed it is just a matter of getting them to understand that they can fight back.

[midnight]

21. This is so important. I wish I had seen this before the twenty-four hour

dead line so I could of kicked this.