Are you excited for graduation season? If you’re one of the 7 in 10 grads who’s starting adult life with an average of $37,000 in student debt, this exciting time can be more nerve-wracking than anything.
Over 44 million Americans owe student debt, Chuck Collins writes this week, which means they’ll start families later, decide not to start businesses or work in public service, and delay buying homes.
In short, everyone loses — except the predatory loan servicers. However, Chuck explores some exciting new ideas for taming America’s student debt crisis and making higher education affordable for everyone.
Also this week, Olivia Alperstein takes stock of the bewildering array of countries we seem to be in conflict with under our new president, who promised a foreign policy of restraint. And in advance of a major national climate march on April 29, Todd Larsen explains that there’s something everyone can do to make the environment cleaner: Move your money to a community bank.
Rounding out our package, Jim Hightower argues that Obamacare is actually working just fine, Jill Richardson reports on Austin’s surprising new program to pay city people to raise chickens, and Khalil Bendib takes aim at United Airlines’ “friendly skies” slogan in light of their highly publicized assault of a passenger.
Khalil Bendib/ OtherWords.org
- Congrats, Graduates! Here’s Your Diploma and Debt / Chuck Collins
44 million households now hold student debt. - Is Trump Taking Us to War Everywhere? / Olivia Alperstein
No one expected Trump to be a peace president, but he seems bent on taking us to the verge of World War III. - Concerned About Climate Change? Change Where You Bank! / Todd Larsen
Wall Street is destroying the planet with our own savings — so let’s move them. - A Great Clucking Idea / Jill Richardson
Austin has a quirky idea to reduce serious waste and taxpayer expense: paying residents to keep chickens. - Obamacare Is Actually Working / Jim Hightower
The law has flaws, but more Americans are insured than ever — and insurers are still turning a healthy profit. - Making United Great Again / Khalil Bendib
