From Your Senator: Occupy Polson

Thank you Occupy Polson organizers Ian Laimbeer, Megan Pope,

Peregrine Frissell, Riley Kenney and Riley Lemm for acting on an issue you're passionate about. Thank you, too for your courtesy as we visited at the courthouse. I read your thought-provoking manifesto, clearly stating your dissatisfaction with cuts to federal student loan programs.

In the spirit of respectful debate, I offer this response.

You've twice used the word "skyrocketing" about college tuition. But look closely at college costs. Athletic fees, health center, recycle and wireless internet fees make up nearly half. Students now expect these added benefits, resulting in compulsory charges on your college bill.

You say Pell grants are dropping $845 per year. At Montana's new minimum wage, $845 could be earned with net pay in about 15 eight-hour days. It requires disciplined time management, but each of you seem motivated. An ancient Greek philosopher said, "It is folly for a man to pray to the gods for that which he has the power to obtain by himself."

You equate success with a subsidized education. Have you thought about the folks who became successful without free assistance? Like Rex Beisel. He worked his way through the University of Washington coal mining and painting bridges. He became a great aeronautical engineer, designing the F4-U Corsair which helped the Allies win World War II.

I challenge your term for lenders as "tyrannically money-hungry entrepreneurs." Without the ability to borrow money, it's likely you would forever live in rented housing. You'd carpool to school in your parent's 1981 Dodge Dart (when you weren't riding the school bus.) There'd be no newspapers, tv or radio stations. Credit provides a lever for enterprising people to provide products and services. You may find yourself needing capital to start your own enterprise some day.

I'll bet my liened-up Jeep that Apple eagerly borrowed a great deal of money before their first iPod hit the market. Borrowers have the right to scrutinize loan terms before signing. Yes, we hear of abuses in the industry, but you can rely on our local banks for their genuine willingness to help local businesses grow and prosper.

Like my college-age kids, you are probably receiving lots of credit card solicitations. Expect to be pestered with direct-mail offers for college loans, too. Will you be persuaded by marketing pressure that credit cards and student loans are prudent? Will you first calculate the debt-load you'll graduate with? Loans can be minimized with part-time jobs and disciplined spending.

I've twice used the word "disciplined." I offer it as a counterpoint to your "skyrocketing" costs.

A sincere thank you for your respectful activism. May each of you continue to take on challenges, take pride in hard work and self-reliance, and find fulfillment in your success!