<p>He is more typical than we would like to believe. The prison part of the story is what makes this such big news. I think that is just for effect and he has no idea what he is really wishing. Like my sons tell me that they would rather live in a homeless shelter than at home. </p>
<p>However, this is a real problem. Even with a nice paycheck, some of these loan levels are crazy. I was writing on another thread about a young person who visited me; someone I had not seen since her preteen days, mother a good long distance friend. She has debt that puts chills down my spine and she has no idea how much trouble it is going to be to pay them off. She ended up with extra money from her loans (one private loan for 15%, yes, secured with a cosigner), and she is traveling and enjoying herself with the money. With nearly $1000 in monthly payments looming over her, she is choosing to ignore that specter until it actually becomes a reality. She is even talking about going back to school taking more loans! Her parents are in a tight financial spot right now, unemployed and no business, so they cannot help. A nightmare.</p>