Alessandra Biaggi student loans underscores dilemma of getting ahead in America as former NY Democratic senator is taken to task for complaining about Supreme Court decision to block relief despite lawyer owning $1.1M home in ritzy NY suburb.
Figuring out how to get ahead in America. If one can afford it…
A former Democratic NY senator has found herself being ridiculed after criticising the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to block Democratic President Joe Biden’s bid to cancel student debt for those making below $125,000, labeling it unconstitutional. The scorn comes amid the former public official owning a $1.14 million home with her husband in the tony area of Bedford, NY.
Alessandra Biaggi, 37, had taken to social media on Friday to discuss the student loans she amassed during law school.
She tweeted: ‘In 2012, I graduated from Fordham Law School with $180,000 is student loan debt.
‘I’ve been paying loans for 11 years. Even paid two of them off completely. In 2023, my balance is $206,000.’
In 2012, I graduated from Fordham Law School with $180,000 is student loan debt.
I’ve been paying loans for 11 years. Even paid two of them off completely.
In 2023, my balance is $206,000.
— Alessandra Biaggi (@Biaggi4NY) June 30, 2023
Former Democratic senator – beneficiary of privilege
Her tweet came almost exactly one year after it was reported that her and her husband had purchased a home in ritzy Bedford worth $1.14 million.
The 2,468 square-foot ranch rests on 4.3 acres of land and comes complete with two wood-burning fireplaces and an in-ground heated pool according to a previous report.
Her grandfather is famed New York Democrat Mario Biaggi who represented the Bronx for ten terms, she represented the same area during her tenure in the state senate.
Mario ended up in prison in the late 1980s after a wave of corruption scandals which saw him convicted of 15 felonies.
Biaggi tweeted following the decision from the Supreme Court to strike down President Biden’s student loan-forgiveness plan.
Personal responsibility
President Biden had hoped to wipe the student loans of sixteen million people who applied for the program and been approved.
The 36-year-old, and her husband, Nathaniel Koloc, purchased the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the upscale suburban area Bedford in July 2022.
According to the New York Times, Koloc and Biaggi were married in 2019 and counted former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton among their guests. The pair both worked on the former New York senator’s failed 2016 run.
The New York Post had reported that the house was a significant upgrade on Biaggi’s previous residence, a $691,006 condo in Pelham, New York, where she was registered to vote.
On social media, Biaggi was ridiculed for her tweet with users pointing out she should have paid off her loans before buying the home in Bedford, New York.
One person said she should seek out money expert Dave Ramsey, commenting: ‘You need Dave Ramsey, not Joe Biden.’
The burden of student debts of getting an education in the US (as opposed to many other parts of the world where it is subsidized or free)
Another posted: ‘You signed the loan agreement. Didn’t you read it?’
One other said: ‘So you made choices and you’re dissatisfied with the consequences.
‘Okay, but this still isn’t anyone else’s financial responsibility but your own. You could have gone to a cheaper school. But you made your choices. Don’t run away from them.’
‘Maybe Alessandra should ask whoever forced her to go to a private law school to pay her loans? Or maybe she could have paid back what was owed instead of moving into a $1.3 million dollar home?’ said radio host Jason Rantz.
‘BREAKING: Woman spends more than she makes,’ offered Jesse Kelly, a conservative pundit, and comedian.
In response, Biaggi tweeted: ‘It may slightly upset the peanut gallery to learn that I don’t even qualify for loan forgiveness & can afford to pay these loans.
‘But many aren’t so privileged. So for those whose who qualify, may your loans be swiftly cancelled!’
‘I’m just trying to get ahead in America…’
The weekend fracas comes after the Supreme Court stuck down President Biden’s $400 billion student loans forgiveness plan, ruling it unconstitutional.
The justices ruled 6-3 Biden’s controversial plan to wipe out debts for 26 million Americans at taxpayers’ expense was unconstitutional and an overreach of his executive power.
The plan would have eradicated $10,000 in debt for borrowers earning less than $125,000 and up to $20,000 for those with Pell Grants.
But it was challenged by six Republican states and two borrowers who argued Biden should have sought approval from Congress for a plan using substantial taxpayer funds.
President Biden called the decision ‘disappointing’ and ‘wrong’ and vowed to fight back in a statement released hours after the ruling came down.
The President said: ‘This fight is not over. I will have more to announce when I address the nation this afternoon.
‘My Administration’s student debt relief plan would have been the lifeline tens of millions of hardworking Americans needed as they try to recover from a once-in-a-century pandemic.’
Biden’s loan forgiveness has been a cornerstone of his presidency, and the ruling will be a massive blow to the administration that has fought against the piling debt.
Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office said the plan would have cost taxpayers roughly $400 billion, which has now been saved – in welcome news to those who opposed the program.
Additional thoughts on social media
Then there were these responses below on social media that also caught this author’s attention. See what you think?
If the Democrats are so concerned about how much people owe on student loans why don’t they create legislation that would cap how much colleges charge for tuition.
‘This is the perfect example of why this idea of loan forgiveness should have been struck down; she expects that people who have spent their lives struggling to pay their rent and put food on their table while working often back braking menial jobs pay her loan while she reaps the benefits of that education. Everyone needs to take personal responsibility ; nothing in life comes without a cost pay your dues for what you do.’
‘The greater issue is that a college education is no longer serving the best interests of many – NOT ALL – who take out these massive loans so as to graduate and get that diploma in a field or discipline they soon find out cannot accommodate them.’
