Education Loans - Do We Really Have A Right To Gripe?

There are numerous open discussions today about student loans and the repayment of them. Many college graduates feel that they are battling a losing battle in the current economy because they have worked hard and tried to pay back their student loans but they simply can't make their loan payments and still pay their bills. Most are not making what they thought they would at their preferred profession and feel as if the interest that the government is charging them is simply way too much for them to stay abreast of.
The fact is that everyone who borrowed money from the government knew when they did that they were going to be obligated to pay it back. They signed papers saying such and just because things in the current economy aren't good doesn't mean that they don't have a responsibility to pay this debt. If they don't, then everyone is going to have to pay that debt off and is it really fair to make those without a college degree responsible for paying off the debt of those with a higher earning potential?
Many would argue this, however the government does offer many different education repayment plans for those who want to pay their debt but can't afford their full monthly payments. Deferment, financial hardship, forbearance, and income based repayment plans are all other options for those struggling to make ends meet.
Certainly, perhaps one way to keep college debt down would be to try and scale back the costs of getting a college education and also reducing the interest rate that individuals have to pay on their student loans. There are several techniques that these debts could be reduced without providing forgiveness for all which is what many college graduates are seeking out.
No matter what, it is necessary to understand that these debts will need to be paid back one way or another and the sooner the better, not only for the students themselves but the economy in its entirety. There needs to be a clear understanding as to the issues facing college graduates and a smart dialogue about student loans, however, this very likely won't result in disappearance of loan debt but perhaps in a realistic answer that creates accountability for students and the Federal government as well, with some sort of meeting in the middle that doesn't eliminate student loan debt but instead makes it more feasible.