Ok, I’ll play Devil’s Advocate.
How “intrusive” is this really? The government can already deduce your income from the taxes one pays. One’s employer takes down the data regarding your degree and education when you apply for a job. Is tracking this type of info really in the realm of “surveillance”.
Maybe I’m just dense, but this seems like making a mountain out of a molehill, especailly when there are so many other pressing issues in the nation.
“How “intrusive” is this really?”
I agree...there’s something about the ‘tone’ of the article that’s off, at least with me.
Consider the source of the article. It wasn't written by a conservative, because if it was, it wouldn't include the phrase, "But “conservatives” in Congress don’t see that". You see, a conservative would go for the core issues at hand.
The bill creates larger government, greater bureaucracy and consumes more tax dollars. To what end? Is their any really benefit to you or me?
As for the government deducing your income from taxes as you suggest, I would be quite fine if government knew zero about my income and knew nothing about the taxes I paid. Tax me with a use/sales tax instead. Get rid of the forms, tax accountants and lawyers. Be efficient.
Government need not know anything about my education. It is fine for any employer I have, but it really isn't anyone else's business. Almost everything done with education these days has zero to do with improving the quality of education. The proof is obvious. Since when has education become better. Every moment, every dollar spend on something other than real education moves us away from better education.
A real conservative should say government needs to get out of the business of student loans. Move that solely back in the private sector. Let banks access the risk of loaning tens of thousands of dollars to some "studies" major. The increased cost and decreased substance of education is directly related to ease of obtaining funds from government.
All of this can be distilled to one simple thing. Conservatives should be all about eliminating government, its spending, regulation, public sector debt, and taxes. There was a time when we didn't have all this government. We not only survived, we thrived.