I agree, but I think the trouble is trying to suggest that the "debt" did not go to something. The same logic applies to the mansion or the yacht. That's all $$$ that could go toward more useful/fun/enjoyable things. We all die in the end, and you don't get to take the money with you so at some point you have to spend it on something. If someone has decided their education is worth $$$ so be it, if someone has decided their Venom GT is worth it, that's fine too. Provided your basic human needs are being met nothing is really essential. School debt cannot really stink any more than anything else you purchase unless you have buyer's remorse (which is, also, not exclusive to educational debt). I think the takeaway is really that people just need to know what they're paying for--be it school, a house, or a trophy wife--and be sure that they also want the consequences that come with it.
I agree...nevertheless, in a way, the debt doesn't directly go towards something benefiting the respective
consumer student. The person that pays 500k for their medical education isn't getting that much better (if any better) of a product than their predecessors did 10 years ago at a fraction of the cost. Certainly not any better of an outcome (intrinsic worth of an MD/DO in 2005 is same street value as an MD/DO in 2015)...hell, extrinsic worth is prob higher for the 2005 MD/DO as they have some experience under their belt rather than the new grad.
So they will pay for the bloat that permeates throughout higher education (medical education being no different). The 5% annual increase in tuition seems to be somewhat common across the country, it doesn't go towards higher quality sprockets, more precisely engineered gears, or even finer leather...rather just feeding the ever-growing gluttony of the watchmaker.
Can't really blame the watchmaker. There's been a never-ending smorgasbord at their table for decades now courtesy head- and sous-chef GovLoans & AbleParents. There is no need to diet until a famine actually hits.
Now I'm not arguing that 500k "isn't worth it" (not saying it is worth it either). Rather, simply saying it is a shame that students will likely be eventually exiting medical education with half a million in debt on their back.
A MD/DO is an MD/DO, whether 100k or 500k.
A Venom GT is a Venom GT, but that's gonna cost you 600k no matter what.
EDIT: We are going to disagree about the second bold sentence. IMO, school debt stinks a whole lot more than what that money can be used for otherwise. Not even talking buyer's remorse. Example: A nice vacation with family is a wonderful experience that builds memories for a lifetime. If I had 10k sitting around and could either use it in 1 of 2 ways: to go on a truly awesome mind-blowing vacation with wife -- or give it to arbitrarily-raising medical school tuition rates... I would rather spend it on the former. The latter stinks in comparison. That is if I had an option. In reality, there is no option such as that.
Buyer's remorse implies a decision on part of the buyer... I bought a new BMW instead of a used BMW. Or I could have just bought a Chevy Cavalier. They all are "cars" and could have provided the essence of their purpose (transportation from A to B)..."Dang, I could have saved a hunk of change. I'm remorseful of not purchasing the cheaper alternative that would have provided me with the same utility."
If you get accepted to one school, there is no decision to be made on what you will be buying. There is no "used" degree. Pay sticker as offered in your finaid package, or no MD/DO, period.
There are no other brands or models.
Interested in hearing your thoughts, my friend.