Trump moves student loan administration to the SBA. You got a problem with that?

 Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that 43 percent of borrowers who owe on their student loans weren't making payments. According to the WSJ, that's about 9 million people.

How about the 57 percent of borrowers who aren't delinquent? Are they faithfully making their monthly loan payments and whittling down the principal of their loans?

Not all of them. Approximately 2.5 million borrowers have economic hardship deferments that exempt them from making their monthly loan payments, and millions more are enrolled in Income-Based Repayment plans (IBRPs), which result in payments so low that they don't cover accruing interest. 

The General Accounting Office recently reported that 4.5 million borrowers who were current on their income-driven repayment plans were paying zero on their loans due to their low income. 

In 2018, Education Secretary Betsy Devos gave a speech comparing the federal student loan program to a looming thunderstorm. Only one out of four borrowers, Devos said, were paying down the interest and principal on their loans.

Do you think student loan repayment rates have improved since Secretary Devos made that speech six years ago? No, they haven't. In fact, almost no one paid on their college loans for three years due to the COVID crisis.

Indeed, the federal student loan program is in disarray, mainly due to the Department of Education's mismanagement.  DOE couldn't do a competent job when it was tasked with designing the standardized financial aid (FAFSA) application

Now, President Trump has transferred the administration of the student loan program to the Small Business Administration. If Trump hasn't been sued yet for this move, he will be soon. After all, his administration has been sued more than 100 times during the first two months of Trump's presidency.

Critics should refrain from slamming Trump's efforts to reform the federal student loan program. The only sector of the American economy benefiting from the status quo is the higher education industry, which charges students an exorbitant price for college degrees that often fail to prepare graduates for the world of work. 

Working harder than a one-legged pole dancer: Life in my corner of Flyover Country

 Wilkinson County, Mississippi, is a beautiful part of Flyover Country. Bounded on the west by the Mississippi River, its alluvial soil is incredibly fertile. Trees grow fast here, providing the lumber industry with an endless supply of hardwood timber.

Woodville, the seat of Wilkinson County, is the county's only incorporated community, with a population of under 1,000 people.  Founded in 1811, before the nation was torn apart by the Civil War, it is a classic Southern town. The stately courthouse, with its impressive cupola, sits in the middle of the town square. To Kill a Mockingbird wasn't filmed here, but it might have been.

Woodville boasts the state's oldest newspaper and some of Mississippi's oldest churches. Antebellum homes line Church Street, mostly built in the Greek Revival style, evoking serenity, grace, and understated dignity.

Wilkinson County is the last place one would expect to find a strip club--much less a strip club where the dancers are both topless and bottomless. Yet, until recently, Illusions, a gentlemen's club, did a thriving business on Highway 61, just outside the Woodville city limits.

According to local lore, investors in the club circulated a petition in support of an application for a resort license, which would allow the establishment to sell alcohol. Imagine the townspeople's surprise when they discovered that their signatures had paved the way for commercial nudity!

Several sources confirm that one of Illusion's strippers had a prosthetic leg, which gave her pole dances an especially exotic appeal. Did she do lap dances? No one  I talked with has given me a definitive answer.

Not surprisingly, Woodville's religious leaders were scandalized. I am told that a Protestant preacher read the names of people who signed the petition in support of the new business, which included several church deacons. A Pentecostal group picketed the club for a time, apparently without discouraging its customers.  

The East Coast elites are contemptuous of Flyover Country, which they consider to be a wasteland of Trump supporters and utterly devoid of culture. But they are wrong. 

Woodville has its own brand of diversity, encompassing diversity of race, diversity of religion, and diversity of culture. Lake Mary, where I live, is home to some of the world's most beautiful waterbirds, including white ibises, wood storks, green herons, snowy egrets, and many more.

Illusions closed before I had the opportunity to see the Pentecostal pickets or the one-legged stripper. Yesterday, however, I spotted a bald eagle while driving along Route 24 west of Woodville. The majestic bird was on the wing, fending off an aerial attack by crows. Yes, according to the Audubon website, crows are known for harassing bald eagles.

I once lived in Greater Boston, the epicenter of East Coast snobbery and elitism. I attended Harvard to get a doctorate and often walked the streets around Harvard Square.

I expected Harvard to be a glittering intellectual Camelot, which would open new vistas of opportunity for me. I was surprised by the grubbiness of the neighborhoods around the university and the town of Boston in general. I was shocked by the provincial perspective of most Bostonians, who seemed to prefer a leftist political viewpoint to independent thought.

How impoverished are the lives of the Bostonians! I'll bet most of them have never seen a one-legged pole dancer or a majestic eagle fighting off crows over the hardwood forests of the lower Mississippi Valley. 

I pity the coastal dwellers who disparage Flyover Country; they may never know the richness of life in the real America.

Why Kindness Might Be the Secret to Your Next Big Breakthrough: Guest essay by Steve Rhode

Why Kindness Might Be the Secret to Your Next Big Breakthrough

The smallest act of kindness—whether given or received—can change everything. Here’s why your next big breakthrough might be just one kind moment away. 

We’re often told that breakthroughs come from hard work, persistence, and never giving up. And while that’s true, there’s another key ingredient that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: kindness. 

Not just kindness to others, but also kindness to yourself.

The Power of a Single Act

This isn't some feel-good lecture. It's just an observation. I have seen kindness work in my life and in the lives of others, and I know it makes a difference. No guilt trips here, just something to think about.

Think about a time when someone’s unexpected kindness changed your day or even your life. Maybe it was a stranger who covered your coffee when you forgot your wallet. A mentor who gave you a shot when you did not have the experience. A friend who sent a message at just the right moment to remind you that you were not alone.

One small act. One moment of human connection. And yet, it shifted everything. Like the time I was having a terrible day, and a complete stranger held the door for me, smiled, and said, "Hope your day gets better." In that instant, the weight I had been carrying felt just a little lighter. It was such a small thing, but I carried that warmth with me all day. Sometimes, it really is the little things that make the biggest difference.

But here is what everyone misses. We think success is all about pushing forward, but what if the real breakthrough comes from pausing and offering kindness instead? The biggest breakthroughs do not always come from hustling harder. Sometimes, they come from the simplest act of grace, either given or received.

We Have All Been Through Tough Times

It is easy to assume that kindness is something extra, something reserved for when life is going smoothly. But the truth is, we have all lived through tough times. Mine might not have been worse than yours, but they sure felt pretty bad at the time.

I once lived in a mobile home in Louisiana, sitting in a field with no power. The place was not level, so everything rolled off the counter. Looking back now, it does make me chuckle, but at the time, it was not so funny. It taught me something important though. Hard times do not last, but how we treat ourselves and others during those times stays with us. Even in the middle of frustration, a little kindness, whether from others or from myself, helped me keep going.

Lifting Others Lifts Us Too

I have found that my life is richer when I get paid in smiles. The smallest acts, a kind word, a quick compliment, or just being present, can be priceless.

We have all been down, but that does not mean we cannot lift people up every opportunity we get. Simple things can make someone's day. Yesterday, I offered up a nice hat comment to a guy who was looking pretty sad. He gave me a big smile and a heartfelt thank you. The little things can matter more than we realize.

Can you think of a time when someone lifted you up for free when you least expected it?

The Downside of Kindness?

You might be thinking, "What is the downside of kindness?" After all, it is free, it feels good, and it helps others. But here is the twist. Kindness can sometimes go unnoticed, unappreciated, or even rejected. You hold the door for someone, and they do not say thanks. You compliment a coworker, and they brush it off. Does that mean it was not worth it? Not at all.

I remember a time when I went out of my way to help someone who was struggling. I offered advice, checked in, really tried to be there for them. And you know what? They never acknowledged it. No "thank you," no sign that it even mattered. At first, I felt a little stung, wondering if I had wasted my energy. But looking back, I realize that kindness is not about the reaction, it is about the action itself. Maybe they were not in a place to receive it at the time. Maybe it meant more to them than I will ever know. Either way, I know I did the right thing, and that is what counts.

Kindness is not about keeping score. It is about showing up in a way that reflects who you are, not how others react. Sometimes, the people who need kindness the most do not know how to receive it. And that is okay. Because at the end of the day, every act of kindness, whether acknowledged or not, adds something good to the world. And that is never wasted.

Kindness as a Writer

Kindness is not just about what we do in person. It is something we can extend through our words too. As a writer, a single sentence can change someone’s perspective, offer them hope, or make them feel seen. Think about the books, articles, or even comments that have stuck with you over the years. Odds are, they were not just full of information. They carried a sense of humanity and understanding.

Even a simple message, like telling a struggling writer that their work matters, leaving a thoughtful comment on someone’s post, or sharing an encouraging story, can have a bigger impact than you realize. If you have ever received a kind word at just the right time, you know how powerful that can be.

Here is a challenge. Take a moment today to write one kind comment, on a blog, social media post, or even in a message to a friend. See what happens. You might just make someone’s day.

Kindness as a Catalyst

• Kindness opens doors. People remember those who treat them well. A single moment of generosity can lead to opportunities you never saw coming.

• Kindness builds resilience. It is easy to be hard on yourself when things are not going right. But offering yourself kindness, accepting that you are human, helps you keep going.

• Kindness heals. Whether it is past wounds, self doubt, or strained relationships, kindness has a way of softening the edges and creating space for growth.

What If Your Breakthrough Is One Kindness Away?

If you feel stuck right now, ask yourself.

• Who in your life needs encouragement today?

• Where can you show unexpected kindness?

• Are you being as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend in your situation?

So many of the life changing moments we crave, new opportunities, deeper relationships, even a sense of peace, are not just about grinding harder. They are about slowing down long enough to extend kindness.

And sometimes, that one moment of kindness is the very thing standing between you and your next big breakthrough.

Who needs your kindness today? Maybe it is the barista who looks exhausted, the coworker drowning in stress, or the neighbor you barely know. A simple "Hey, I appreciate you" or "That is a great shirt" might be all it takes to turn their day around. Try it and see what happens.

And if you need a little bit of kindness right now, if you are reading this, you are taking a moment to invest in yourself and seeking a way to be better. That is pretty damn terrific. Good for you.

*****

Steve's essay was originally posted on Get Out of Day. I recommend that you subscribe.

Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr. last night: The State killed him twice

 The State of Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr last night in Angola Prison's death chamber. He was killed with nitrogen gas after his lawyers lost a last-minute appeal arguing that the execution method was cruel and unusual.

If anyone deserved the death penalty, it was Mr. Hoffman. He kidnapped, raped, and murdered a young woman in 1996.

Nevertheless, it is unconscionable for Louisiana to confine someone on death row for decades before killing him. As Pope Francis observed, a life sentence is a death sentence. 

In essence, then, the state of Louisiana executed Hoffman twice: First, by confining him for more than a quarter of a century as a death row inmate and a second time by injecting him with nitrogen gas.

In my humble opinion, that's a cruel and unusual punishment.

The Ukraine war will end this year and someone will get the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping it

After three years of fighting, Ukraine's war with Russia is at a stalemate, Russia controls about 20 percent of Ukraine, and the Ukrainians can't drive them out.

Last August, in a surprise move, Ukrainians staged what the Western media called an incursion into the Kursk region of Russia and captured about 500 square miles of Russian territory. The United States, Ukraine's closest ally, claimed to be surprised by this move, but I suspect the Americans helped plan this mini-invasion. 

Ukraine hoped to use the captured territory as a bargaining chip to improve its position during peace talks, which were bound to occur sooner or later. Unfortunately for the Ukrainians, the Kursk invasion brought North Korean troops into the war as Russian allies, and now Russia has pushed the Ukrainians out of Russian territory. 

President Trump has pushed aggressively to end the Ukraine war--this "ridiculous war," as Trump has described it. He's taken a lot of heat from Democratic politicians and the Trump-hating media for his efforts. His enemies at home would rather continue the senseless bloodshed than allow Trump to get credit for brokering a peace deal.

Trump may have made some tactical errors in his vigorous efforts to push Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the bargaining table. Trump cut off arms shipments to Ukraine for a short time, giving his enemies an opening to accuse Trump of being Russia's ally. 

Nevertheless, Trump's diplomatic pressure, asserted against both Ukraine and Russia, has changed the dynamics of the conflict. This war will end before the year is out.

Ukraine and its allies must face the fact that Russia will control Crimea and much of the Donbas region when this war is over. Crimea has been part of Russia since the 18th century,  and Russia has critical military installations there. Moreover, Russia must control the Sea of Azov and at least part of the Donbas to safeguard its supply line from the Russian Motherland to the Crimean peninsula.

The sooner the warring nations reach a peace deal, the fewer young soldiers will die in this nonsensical conflict.  I predict someone involved in bringing peace negotiations to fruition will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, it will not be President Trump. The leftist media, afflicted with a terminal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, would never allow it.

Cover of Crimean Blunder by Pete Gibbs. Image credit: Amazon 

WaPo Columnist Catherine Rampell accuses Trump of pushing Americans to become subsistence farmers: I can think of worse things to be

Egg prices are up all over the U.S. primarily due to bird flu, which forced chicken farmers to liquidate their poultry. However, prices will come down soon because if there is anything Americans know how to do, it's mass-producing chickens.

Nevertheless, the Trump administration feels compelled to address this short-term crisis because the President promised to lower food prices. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins off-handly suggested that people should raise their own chickens.

Catherine Rampell, a Washington Post op-ed columnist, jumped on this casual remark, accusing Trump of urging Americans to go back to subsistence farming. I have a few bones to pick with her arguments.

First, the Trump administration is not pushing Americans to become subsistence farmers, and it was disingenuous for Rampell to say that it did.

Second, Ag Secretary Rollins's suggestion that people raise chickens for home consumption is not a bad idea. Rampell pointed out that some cities ban townspeople from raising livestock on residential property, but that's not universally true. People are raising chickens in their backyards all over America.

A young relative of mine raised chickens at his suburban home in upstate New York for several years. His family obtained all the eggs they needed from just six chickens. I ate some of those eggs, which tasted delicious--much better than store-bought eggs.

Rampell's essay throws cold water on the notion that Americans should grow their own food. "The fact that we humans don't have to spend all our time growing our own sustenance, and can instead specialize in other fields where we're more productive is a tremendous victory for our species," she writes. Indeed, Rampell argues, "Our post-agrarian society has allowed Americans to lead richer, healthier, longer, more leisure-filled lives."

I disagree. Over my life, I've known a few people who grew most of their food from backyard gardens.  I think their lives were just as rich as those of urban dwellers who bought all their groceries from Whole Foods. And home gardeners, I feel sure, are as healthy as people who don't cultivate anything besides a marijuana plant.

Let's not go hating on the notion that people should be encouraged to grow some of their food. During World War II, roughly half of American households tended victory gardens, which provided 40 percent of the nation's wartime vegetable supply. During the 900-day siege of Leningrad, people grew gardens in parks and public places to fight off famine.

My father was a wheat farmer and cattleman, and I spent many weary hours driving a tractor on hot summer days. I experienced enough farm life to know I didn't want to be a farmer. I wound up being a college professor.

Nevertheless, if I were given a choice between tending my garden on a sweltering summer afternoon and attending a university faculty meeting, my decision would be easy. I would much rather weed my vegetable patch than sit through a tedious academic discussion in an air-conditioned university conference room. There are worse ways to spend a day than tending a garden.

Not the best of all possible worlds: A litany of distressing news in my local newspaper

 This morning, I scanned my local newspaper as I sipped my first cup of coffee and was slammed with a litany of depressingly lousy news. 

First, Anthony Robinson, a 17-year-old high school student, was shot and killed just after getting off a school bus. The police arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with first-degree murder. 

Second, the Baton Rouge police charged a third student with felony hazing after Caleb Wilson, a fraternity pledge at Southern University, died from injuries he received during a hazing ceremony.

Third, a federal judge halted the scheduled execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr., a convicted murderer, to consider Hoffman's argument that execution by nitrogen gas constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" in violation of his constitutional rights.

And there's more. Ashley Lights, a 39-year-old mother, was arraigned on charges of criminal abortion for reportedly giving her teenage daughter abortion-inducing drugs that Lights ordered online from New York.

All these news stories are depressing, but they're particularly dispiriting because they highlight our society's inability to solve our most profound and pervasive social problems.

The United States has struggled with the issue of school violence since the Columbine school massacre more than 25 years ago. Yet a 16-year-old Baton Rouge kid was apparently able to obtain a loaded pistol and gun down a high school student.

Louisiana strengthened its anti-hazing law after Max Gruver, an LSU fraternity pledge, died of alcohol poisoning in 2017. One LSU student was sentenced to prison for negligent homicide in the wake of that tragedy, but fraternity hazing continues in Louisiana.

And then there's the ongoing litigation to stop capital punishment in this country, which has stretched out over decades while more than 2,000 men and a few women sit on death row.

I'm adamantly opposed to the death penalty for one reason: the practice brutalizes our society. Nevertheless, I don't understand why one man's execution is delayed in Louisiana to determine whether death by nitrogen gas is unconstitutional while a man in South Carolina is executed by a firing squad.

I'm also troubled about the criminal case against Ashley Lights, the mother who allegedly obtained abortion-inducing drugs from a state where such drugs are legal and then gave them to her daughter in Louisiana, where abortion is a crime.

Like most Americans, I believe abortion is wrong, but I'm sympathetic to women caught in desperate circumstances or who become pregnant through incest or rape. The prosecution would not want me on the jury if Ms. Lights's case goes to trial.

Most of the issues highlighted in my morning newspaper will be resolved in the courts, but the larger issues that these cases symbolize will continue to fester for many years. These events remind me that I do not live in the best of all possible worlds and that my puny efforts will do little to make the world a better place.

Voltaire is right to remind us that all we can do in this world of violence and injustice is cultivate our gardens.

My spring garden is planted in tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and popcorn. If my popcorn is a success, I can at least take comfort in knowing that my homegrown popcorn is better than Orville Redenbacher's.

Jesse Hoffman Jr., scheduled for execution on March 18