Day 3 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

What a day! I’ve never done anything in my life that has been so enthusiastically received. Talked this morning with hundreds of students at Idaho State U in Pocatello. At the moment, we’re in Idaho Falls, 50 miles north of Pocatello, on our way to Jackson Hole. We stopped at a Starbucks to use the WiFi and to share the good news with local millennials. When I asked students this morning at ISU if they knew anyone with student debt, many smiled and said, “Everyone!” After I explain our mission, many students take extra leaflets to share with friends.

Idaho Stat U sign in student union

When I can, I tell them this: “I have just passed you the baton. It is now totally up to you.You millennials have the power right now to change everything, to end your debt, change the climate, and end wars. Use your computer, use the Internet. Only you can make it happen. All the power is in your hands!” 

How the hell did we manage to put an entire generation in hock? Few jobs, lousy jobs, overwhelming debt. Did you know the U.S. government earns $50 billion a year in student loan interest on the backs of our students and our young student debtors are graduating with an average of $35,000 in debt? Not counting interest! How insane is this? And we’re not even talking about the climate or nuclear and war crises! 

Typical of the student stories, one young man, also a debtor, working part-time in the ISU Student Union, told me his girlfriend was $30,000 in debt and is working 3 jobs as she attends the university. We need to do what we can to lift this terrible weight from their young shoulders. Sending Dr. Jill Stein to the White House will do just that … and so much more.

Tomorrow we focus on one of the truly great things about our country, it’s natural beauty and national parks. We’ll be at the Grand Tetons. Stay tuned!