When Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced she would eliminate student loan debt for many, my initial response was very positive. College education should be a right for all regardless of economics. This is an appealing way of addressing the skyrocketing higher education costs, but those who have accrued mortgage, car and credit card debt might feel justifiably outraged.

A more equitable solution to college debt would be to ask students to perform some form of national service in exchange for forgiveness of their student loans. “National service” could be anything from the military to education.

Having students graduating from college and burdened by enormous debt is an awkward way for a young person to enter the workforce, but simply relieving them of personal debt is a case of avoiding responsibility.

Larry Hoffner, retired