Michigan Lawmakers Want to Give an iPod to every Child

[mandy]

The state is apparently facing a budget crisis--to the tune of $1 billion. On Thursday, House Democrats delivered a spending bill that includes the idea of putting $38 million worth of public funds toward outfitting every student with a digital music player. The plan also included measures to tax soda and satellite TV services, among other things, to raise funds.

Seems like an interesting idea because iPods could easily be used as educational devices--to transport or store digital documents and projects, or to listen to lectures. It's also not a new idea--Duke University famously gave iPods to all incoming freshmen. But, The Detroit News' editorial makes an astute point wondering "how financially strained Michigan residents will feel about paying higher taxes to buy someone else's kid an iPod."...

full article: http://news.com.com/2061-10801_3-6174170.html

We have come to the conclusion that the crisis Michigan faces is not a shortage of revenue, but an excess of idiocy. Facing a budget deficit that has passed the $1 billion mark, House Democrats Thursday offered a spending plan that would buy a MP3 player or iPod for every school child in Michigan.

No cost estimate was attached to their hare-brained idea to "invest" in education. Details, we are promised, will follow...

full article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...7704060333

[sneakymagenta]

We have come to the conclusion that the crisis Michigan faces is not a shortage of revenue, but an excess of idiocy.

My state's government suffers from the same problem.  ;D

[BellisimaJ.]

But, The Detroit News' editorial makes an astute point

We have plenty of idiots governing in Michigan, but The Detroit News is a conservative/right-wing paper, prone to exaggeration when it sees a Democrat.