Responsibility

"I appreciate your realistic analysis and pragmatism towards our profession. You mention that anyone comtemplating our profession should forgo owning a home, having children, and getting married for several years. Furthermore, they should expect many years of hardship before obtaining success."

Every career has these issues. Most starting out in a professional endeavor (not a 9-5 job but even in some of those) will focus on career. They want to get a hold of their life professionally before sinking themselves into further debt(buying homes/cars)or making a commitment like marriage/children. For most the early years mean they are the newbie and are expected to pay their dues as those before them have done. Longer hours financial sacrifice come eith this. It would be foolish even in the optimal setting to bite off more than you can chew.

"I couldn't agree more with your statements. So why don't we both recommend that anyone entering our beloved profession sign a document that they understand the above paragraph before they start signing their life away to student loans."

Can we just trust the maturity of the applicant? If not perhaps we should have a document that spells out the riskks of even more serious decisions they will make. Imagine the document that should be signed before getting married... And about documents, how many truly read the entire contract when they buy a car???

"Please don't let the kiddies forget that unlike other types of debt, student loans are for keeps. For example, if I start a subway sandwich shop and fail I can always declare bankruptcy. If you fail at podiatry and have student loans you don't get a second chance!"

Student loan debt should be forgiven only in rare circumstances. Death, disability etc. You are correct that individuals should investigate a profession before they pursue it but once they borrow the money and commit they should honor their obligations. If you are ever employed something should be payed. I agree with garnishing social security to repay defaulted loans. If you simply waive this obligation it disrespects those who have paid them. Some did so at personal sacrifice.