I am convinced that college tuition is akin to the "housing bubble" - there is no way it can merit that high cost but, until it pops, our youngest adults are paying the price. As a result, I am particularly frustrated that the Obama campaign has not done more to exploit the incredibly stupid but vitally revealing statement by Romney that college students should "borrow money if you have to from your parents, start a business" to pay for college.
Romney's total lack of understanding on this issue is an excellent opportunity for a nationwide viral video campaign; I encourage students to take this opportunity to help voters understand just how out of touch Romney is with critical daily economic realities. My thinking is that this response could take a few different forms:
It could be as simple as a Facebook page where students use their videocams to answer the question, "Why didn't you think of paying for college by just asking your parents for money?" The students could hold up a sign with their first name and their amount of student loan debt, then give a 1-2 sentence answer such as, "I didn't borrow money from my parents because they are still raising my three younger siblings. I felt it was more important for them to keep paying the mortgage."
Or it could be one (or several) individuals with handheld cameras going onto campuses, walking up to students randomly and asking, "Did you hear how Mitt Romney would encourage students to pay for college if he were to become presidents?" and since they are likely to answer, "No, how?" the camera could capture their reaction when the quote is read back to them - which I can guarantee would be one of a minimum of head-shaking dismay and speechlessness, and at least a few, "That's the dumbest %$# thing I ever heard."
It'd be particularly great to get a few of the Oberlin kids who were actually in the audience when Romney made that stupid, stupid statement. Ultimately, I'd love to see a compiled mash-up of these videos end with Obama's slow-jam of the news... nothing like The Roots to wrap things up.
Well, that's my idea. I am sorry I can't make it reality - I don't mean to make excuses, it's just a fact. But I thought I'd pass it along. Thanks for listening.