Perhaps The Hound is off his feed, but a congresswoman teaching a bunch of freshmen and sophomores sure seems like a waste of time. Isn't that what consumer education teachers are for?
But that's what U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, is scheduled to do this afternoon at Warren Township High School --- giving students at the district's O'Plaine Campus a financial education in interest rates, credit reports, identity theft and the wise use of credit cards. Ha! Most high schoolers could teach a class in identity theft.
Guess it's a tough job, but some congressperson has to do it. Then again, there is an election next year.
Sure, Bean is a member of a House committee investigating credit card legislation, but so what? Maybe it has to do more that this picture-perfect photo op --- wide-eyed students listening intently (moment of silence: GET ME OUT OF HERE!) to congresswoman discuss personal finance basics --- has more to do with it being part of an American Bankers Association educational program. Is Bean now a shill for the banking industry? Looking at some banking stocks, perhaps they need a friendly voice on Capitol Hill.
Let's see, there's a war in Iraq, the housing industry is in meltdown, the banking industry is in turmoil, the nation's energy policy remains running on empty, Social Security is still in danger. But Bean finds time to teach finance to high schoolers.
Here's a classs she might consider: Discussing how the federal budget continues in deficit, even with a Democratic-controlled Congress, and the national debt is in the trillions with no proposal to even get close to paying it off.
Oh, and kids, you're going to be stuck with the bill. Now discuss that with the congresswoman or amongst yourselves.
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