Negotiated Rulemaking falls apart.

We do bash the ineptness of the Department of Education quite a bit. But lets give them some credit for putting together Negotiated Rulemaking sessions. The Dept created four groups drawing from government, policy advisors, industry, and the education community. One of the groups was to focus on student finance issues. The point was that this group, representing all facets of the issue, would develop reccomendations that would suggest legislation and shape regulations. Indeed, a good idea. Everyone would walk away feeling that the government is making a sound, objective decision.

In theory a good idea anyway. Personally, we feel that Israel and Palestine have a better chance of working out their differences. You see, if you put representatives from all facets of student lending in a room together you typically get a lethal combustible combination of matter. With no clear and defined leadership in these sorts of gatherings, it should be no surprise that the sessions fell apart. What's pretty interesting is to contrast what the participants have to say vs what Secy. Spellings has to say about why the sessions disintegrated.

So what's going to happen? Well the obvious, Secy. Spellings is putting together a Task Force to come to the rescue. We haven't heard who's gonna be on said Task Force, but we're pretty sure it will be hand-picked "friends" that will see eye-to-eye with Sen. Kennedy's agenda. Let us know if you hear anything about this.