Everyone in the United States has likely heard the phrase, “Buy now, pay later!” at one time or another, though not everyone may act upon it. Most people associate this phrase with adults or at least those over 18…and those eligible to have a credit card.

With the inauguration of President Barack Obama came new economic policies. While this may seem unimportant, it now affects student life at JC. In the 2010-2011 school year, students will be able to charge up to 40 dollars extra on their Patriot HAR-CO cards, making them more like credit cards than debit cards.

Is it really appropriate for students as young as 14-years-old to have access to a sort of credit card? Granted, it is a limited amount of credit that is given, but multiplied by close to 800 students it can pose an economic dilemma.

How is it that the federal government indirectly has the right to influence the lives of JC students? Furthermore, since when is the U.S. a socialist nation, giving credit to everyone, even those who are traditionally underage?

The U.S. is not a socialist nation. Giving credit cards to high school students, some barely even teenagers, is ludicrous. Sure, the U.S. is the land of opportunity for all, but most students do not hold jobs and are unreliable as far as paying back credit goes.

When the Obama administration made the legislation which permitted this change at JC, did they stop to consider who will actually be paying for the credit? Obviously not. The Obama administration’s decision is hugely impacting taxpayers, yet this has not even been considered as a factor.

When push comes to shove, teenagers should not be given credit abilities when they can hardly even be responsible for their grades. The U.S. might be the land of the free, but it’s not the land of the free money. While credit may appear a good deed for teenagers, someone has to pay eventually.

Ashley Snyder can be reached for comment at [email protected].