Student loans: a scandal waiting to happen

Government subsidies have made loans a lucrative business for lenders.

Sept. 17, 2007

If you know anything at all about the federal student loan program, you will not have been surprised by the scandal of recent months. The only amazing thing is that it has taken so long to arrive. If the government can borrow money at 3 or 4 percent, why should it pay 7 or 8 percent for the privilege of guaranteeing loans to someone else? Wouldn't it make more sense for the government to lend the money itself? Of course that would make more sense.

Click here to read The Washington Post article.