Won't someone think of the children!!

[flamin lib]

So, what's Lil' Joe Barton up to these days? Would you believe that with all the complaining about the quality of public education and how it isn't preparing students for the modern work place Joe wants to abolish the system that helps schools get internet access and establish wireless learning networks?

E-rate is a program established in 1996 to help schools and public libraries get affordable communication rates to bring public schools into the information age. The kicker is that it isn't tax payer funded. It's funded by having telecom, internet and wireless companies (you know, the guys that get to use OUR airwaves) offer services at a discounted rate to schools on an as-needed basis. It is overseen by the FCC through the Universal Service System Company which administers the program through a grants system.

The Senate has always supported the program enthusiastically, but the House (run by the wild eyed Republicans) issued a report criticizing the management and funding of various projects.

Joe Barton has never thought the federal government should be involved in local schools, so in his words, "If I had to vote today, I would vote to abolish it-period. If I can change it, I will. If I have the votes to kill it, I will. If I can't do either of those things, then I will so underfund it that it ceases to exist."

So there you have it. If it isn't good for the Petro/Chemical business (his largest contributor) or costs the Communications Industry (his second largest contributor) a few points off the profit margin then the kids can just learn to use an abacus.

http://rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=24546