Mary - Nobody expects those who are working for minimum wage to supplement those who have attended university. If that is what is happening, we need to take a serious look at the tax structure.

I agree with Ebbie. After slogging your way through university and finally landing a job, repayment of your loan should be a reasonable percentage of your newly acquired income. It is reasonable to expect that a person with a university level job would have enough money to dress professionally, pay for living expenses and transportation as well as balance the demands of their job with liesure time activities. They have probably had to move away from home to find that job and it takes time and money to furnish an apartment, as well.

When I left university, I was working part-time, raising two teen-aged kids, paying for a 3-bedroom apartment and the bank wanted $400.00 a month. My part-time work was required on order to obtain a full time position. I didn't own a stick of furniture, except my kids' beds nor did I own any kitchen appliances let alone major appliances. I was trapped and being threatened with credit collection. The minute I was given a full-time contract, they threatened to garnishee my wages.

Not all situations are as neat and tidy as you think they are, Mary, and you should stop using your own personal circumstances to judge others. In fact, it may be your life that is abnormal. Many, many people start life with very little and do not have family to fall back on.

My student loan debt was $50,000.00. Had I been on welfare for the same period of time, the govt. would have given me the same amount of money tax free. If people are to become educated, there must be some incentive. Threatening people or making them feel guilty is no incentive at all. Re-paying a loan with interest for the rest of your life, is punishment for daring to break free from a cycle of poverty.

Just because I now make good money, doesn't mean that I'm rich. There are debts to be paid. In fact, Mary, my lifestyle changed very little from my pre-college days. The biggest difference was that I no longer worried about how to pay the rent or whether or not there would be enough food on the table. Above all else, I found the self confidence and acquired enough language to defend myself against those who would try to make me feel like I was a burden on society. My children have reaped the benefits of my education and nobody can ever take that away from me.

Take the blinkers off, Mary, you are in no position to judge.