Get Rid of Student Debt -- A Classic Public Policy Debate

Start: Saturday, January 26, 2019 7:00 PM

End: Saturday, January 26, 2019 9:00 PM

Host Contact Info: jpat@jeffersonhumanists.org

As college tuition skyrockets and public support for post-secondary education wanes, students and their families have taken on 500% more debt in the past fifteen years. Now totalling $1.5 trillion, this financial burden is causing the next generation to postpone getting married, buying homes, starting businesses, and raising families. Liberal observers advocate government action to reduce or eliminate student debt altogether. Conservatives decry the loss of personal accountability and the costs such steps would incur.

This conflict has the a makings for a great debate: Use government funding and regulation to reduce student debt to 1990's level.

Arguing for the motion will be:

  • JoyAnn Ruscha--Communications consultant, former Colorado Political Director for Bernie Sanders 2016, and long-time activists on student debt
  • Jack Kroll--University of Colorado Regent, CU Boulder’s Asst. Dir. of Admissions, and graduate student in finance
  • Jim Sengenberger--Political commentator, founder of the Millennial Policy Center, and Denver radio personality on 710 KNUS
  • Dr. Paul Prentice--Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Sr. Fellow at the Independence Institute, Chief Macroeconomist in Reagan’s Dept of Agriculture, a visiting scholar at the U.S. Treasury

This event will be non-partisan and moderated fairly.  A poll before and after the presentation will reveal which side persuaded more people to change sides, and civil discourse will be the winner.

Significant discounts for advance purchase of tickets, especially before December 25, 2018.



Event sponsored by Jefferson Humanists, an education-and-action non-profit dedicated to using reason to improve our society and communities. (www.JeffersonHumanists.org)

Additional support provided by
People Demanding Action, grassroots organizers striving to rebuild American democracy
RepresentUs, a national campaign to pass the American Anti-Corruption Act at local and state levels