this week as 16 million americans are out of work, the economy is struggling to grow and the housing market remains a mess, we learn that total student loan debt now topping $1 trillion for the first time. at the same time, 15% of 20 to 24-year-old americans do not have jobs. student loan delinquencies have jumped to more than 11% doubling just over the past few years. nicholas kristof is a columnist for the new york times, moody s expects student loan problems to only get worse. this is a really tough situation for young people. no jobs, tons of debt, an economy that s not favoring the things it used to. that s right. and i fear that the result may be, you know, more people having trouble getting into college and one of the long-term problems affecting our long-term competitive is the proportion of americans going to college has flattened since the 1970s, i fear we re kind of digging ourselves into a hole. the thing is even if you get a college degree and you get the d