The Minneapolis Star Tribune had an insightful editorial a couple days ago about the reauthorization of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). IDEA guarantees a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities across the country. In 1975, when the law was originally passed, it stated that Congress would fund its share of special education costs (40%) by 1982. That date has been pushed backed–again–to 2011. In the meantime, states are expected to fully fund the difference. While the new version of IDEA improves certain regulatory aspects of special education, like finding students with disabilities and delivering services to them at an earlier age, it fails at the most critical level–funding. I expect we’re going to see a lot of this sort of thing thing from this administration and this Congress over the coming years. They will pat themselves on the back for giving superficial support to this social program or that one, but the states will be expected to bear the financial burden of keeping those programs running. It will be the Reagan years all over again, with defense and debt maintenance taking a big bite out of our national budget, leaving everyone else to fight over the scraps.
I’m still trying to figure out whether to go to Mexico this winter. One thing I’m uncertain about is how to get from the airport to the resort. I don’t want to get down there and find out my only transportation option is to be strapped on the back of a burro. Maybe I should check out New Orleans at Mardi Gras instead. Hmm, beads and bare breasts vs. sun and surf. Thoughts?
tacos and tush!!!