Multimillionaire Senator Ron Johnson thinks we’re helping too many young, aspiring Americans go to college. At a recent event in Wisconsin, Johnson said, “What’s wrong? Well partly, student loans are available and kids are using them.” Students are taking 5 and 6 years to graduate simply because loans are too easy to access and “college is a lot of fun,” he went on to say.
Johnson has a long history of putting his foot in his mouth, but on this issue, this what he actually believes. He thinks that it should be harder for students to earn a degree and increase their chances at a good paying job. Johnson makes no acknowledgement of those college students that are working hard to put themselves through school, or that it was his Republican Party that blocked a bill last year that would have made it easier for people with crushing student loan debt to refinance at the same rates big banks get to pay.
Knowing now that Johnson wants to triple down against the hardworking families and students of Wisconsin, it’s not surprising to see him down double-digits in the polls.
Check out the American Bridge footage of Johnson’s comments here:
Johnson at Oconto, WI Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCAUn8QVtFs [5/2/15]
Johnson: “I’m All For A Liberal Arts Education For A Certain Segment” Of People. According to Wisconsin State Journal, “Johnson said that many students find themselves deeply in debt because federal loans are too easy to get and they’re spending too much time earning degrees that aren’t in demand. ‘I’m all for a liberal arts education for a certain segment if people really want it,’ said Johnson, who earned his degree in accounting and business from the University of Minnesota. ‘But I really am more supportive of career oriented education. ‘That’s why I got an accounting degree. I wanted to learn the language of business that I could apply to all kinds of occupations, rather than a general liberal arts degree that I wouldn’t know how I would use.’ He cited studies that the average college student takes 5½ to 6 years to earn a degree. He said that’s because they don’t feel any urgency to get to work and start contributing to the economy. ‘Loans are pretty easy to get and college is a lot of fun,’ he said. ‘All three of my kids went to (UW Madison), and I’ll guarantee you they had a really good time.’” [Wisconsin State Journal, 3/21/15]
Johnson: College Students Delay Graduation Because “College Is A Lot Of Fun,” Student Loans Are Too Easy To Get. According to The Hill, “Sen. Ron Johnson (R Wis.) argued that students are taking longer than four years to graduate because it’s too easy to get student loans and ‘college is a lot of fun’ in a recent event in the state. Johnson, who’s one of the most vulnerable GOP senators next year, was discussing the rising cost of college education with constituents in Verona last Saturday when he argued that federal student loan programs had made it too easy for students to take on big loads of debt. ‘It’s pretty easy to get a federal loan, college is fun,’ he said with a laugh.” [The Hill, 3/25/15]
Published: May 6, 2015