In a move that surprises absolutely no one, President Joe Biden has once again dipped into the nation’s coffers to forgive student loans—this time to the tune of $4.28 billion. Nearly 55,000 public service workers are the lucky recipients of this financial windfall, bringing the administration’s total student debt forgiveness to a staggering $180 billion. That’s right, folks: $180 billion, with a ‘B’.

The beneficiaries of this latest act of fiscal benevolence are individuals who have dutifully made over 120 monthly payments under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program targets those in careers such as teaching and law enforcement—noble professions, to be sure. But one can’t help but wonder: What about the millions of hardworking Americans who chose not to attend college or who responsibly paid off their student loans? Where’s their bailout?

This move is part of Biden’s relentless crusade to mitigate the burden of student loans, especially after the Supreme Court invalidated his initial plan to erase $430 billion in loans. Undeterred by legal setbacks, the administration has been exploring alternative avenues to fulfill its promise of debt relief. However, these efforts have not been without controversy. Critics argue that such sweeping forgiveness plans are fiscally irresponsible and unfair to those who have managed their debts without government intervention.

The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy. With the holiday season upon us, one might cynically suggest that the administration is playing Santa Claus, distributing gifts to select groups in hopes of currying favor. After all, nothing says ‘happy holidays’ quite like a multi-billion-dollar handout—funded by taxpayers, of course.

It’s also worth noting that this latest round of forgiveness raises the total to about $78 billion for almost 1.1 million public service workers. While the administration touts these numbers as a fulfillment of campaign promises, one must ask: At what cost? The national debt continues to climb, inflation remains a concern, and yet the solution offered is to forgive more debt, effectively transferring the burden to the broader taxpayer base.

Moreover, this approach does little to address the root causes of the student debt crisis. The exorbitant cost of higher education, the questionable value of certain degrees, and the lack of financial literacy among young borrowers remain unaddressed. Instead, the focus is on treating the symptoms with expensive band-aids, rather than curing the disease.

In the grand tradition of government intervention, this move sets a precedent that could have long-term implications. Will future generations of students expect their loans to be forgiven as well? What incentive remains for colleges and universities to control tuition costs if the government continues to foot the bill? These are questions that deserve serious consideration but are conveniently ignored in the rush to provide immediate relief.

In conclusion, while the beneficiaries of this latest round of student debt forgiveness may be celebrating, the broader implications for fiscal responsibility and fairness are far less joyous. As the administration continues its pattern of selective generosity, one can’t help but wonder who will be left holding the bag when the bill comes due. Spoiler alert: It’s the American taxpayer.