While I was attending school as a young man, family and friends often would preach to me about continuing my education while in adulthood. They informed me that a college degree would enable me to get a good job, a nice car and a beautiful home with a lovely family. You know, the “American Dream” crap. This was propaganda.

Yes, I have all of these things, but along with it came a couple thousand dollars I owe to the Sallie Mae loan company. No regrets. I love my family, but I hate Sallie Mae and its interest.

Moving along, once I reached the position to pursue my college education, I realized there were some things my family and friends did not share in their daily sermon. To pay for college, I had to sign my name in blood and give up my left leg temporarily to get approved for thousands of dollars in loans to attend college.

Furthermore, while the cost of education has become more expensive than ever, it is the policy-makers with influence from “Democ-Rats” and “Republi-Cans” who influence the outcome of these new policies, which affect how all college students pay back their student loans.

According to an investigation conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Republican lawmakers on the House Committee of Education and the Workforce received three-fourths of the $1 million the panel’s members obtained in campaign donations from lenders and loan-consolidation companies.

In addition, while most of the funds went toward the GOP lawmakers in charge of drafting legislation to refurbish the Higher Education Act, the remaining dollars were split almost evenly among Democrats and Republicans. A database showing campaign contributions from lenders and others can be viewed at http://chronicle.com/premium/stats/congress.

According to the Chronicle, the ultimate goal of the loan industry is for Congress to create major changes to the federal loan consolidation plan, which allows borrowers to merge and refinance their federal student loans. If these individuals get their way, borrowers such as you and me will no longer be able to lock in a low, fixed interest rate for up to 30 years, as we are able to do now. Students also will have to pay their loans back with higher interest.

Everyone should think twice and become educated about the consequences and rewards of loans.

There are selfish and money-hungry “Democ-Rats” and “Republi-Cans” who do not care about the financing of college education. These individuals are “Rats-in-Cans.”

My frustration is directed toward Democrats and Republicans who will pay their children’s tuition with our tax dollars while we have to pay back loan money with high interest, taking away from our family finances after graduation.

I say we all mail these politicians copies of our loan payments to their offices and overload their mailboxes. We can do it.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.