Education and Care for Children in Poverty Act

[The Duke]

How was this $750 million figure come to?

[The Duke]

Well, I have to say that while I am supportive of the impetus behind the bill, and think it would be good policy in normal times, I must complain about its timing.  There is a war on, after all.  That had ought to be priority #1.

I'd hate to see the budget be strained further by this bill, since it is a luxury item of sorts.  However, I think those problems would be assyaged by a slight, say 2%, increase in the capital gains and dividend tax rates.

[The Duke]

There's nothing wrong with daycare.  Its just a question of prioritizing.  And might I add that it isn't an either or.  Restarting the R&D for missile defense, expanding the F-22 program, and accelerating the JSF program costs a total of $5.5 billion a year, not a sum that precludes other spending entirely.

[The Duke]

Might I remind dubya2004 that a smarter nation has the intellectual capital to design and build the NEXT bomber.  Education is a critical part of national defense, IMO.