Forget Textbooks: Congressman Introduces Bill to Subsidize Purchase of Kindles, iPads for Poor Kids

Meredith Jessup | February 12, 2010 2:18 PM

H.R.4619, called the E-Rate 2.0 Act of 201, is a bill introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., "to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to create a pilot program to bridge the digital divide."

Yes Congress is working to build a bridge across what apparently is a digital divide today. What's the digital divide you ask? Apparently books made with paper are sooo 20th Century. Today's kids need electronic books!

Markey's bill would bridge the so-called divide by "providing vouchers for broadband service to eligible students, to increase access to advanced telecommunications and information services for community colleges and head start programs, to establish a pilot program for discounted electronic books, and for other purposes."

This bill would create subsidies for poor kids to buy Kindles and iPads. Dear God, is there anything these people won't waste taxpayer dollars on?