With Absurd $8 Proposal, Mo. Republican Mocks Opponents of Common Core

The Missouri House Appropriations – Education Committee on Wednesday proposed a measure to allow the state to use $8 in taxpayer money to purchase tin foil hats for opponents of Common Core.

Rep. Mike Lair (Facebook)

The appropriation was put forth by committee Chairman Mike Lair, a Republican, to mock those who think Common Core standards are a bad idea.

“If you can’t deal with folks with logic, you use humor,” Lair said, according to the Columbia Tribune. “This is to stop all the problems from the black helicopters and drones. This is high density foil.”

Lair argued he has tried “logic” by filing bills to limit how student data is collected and shared as well as blocking the federal agencies from mandating curriculum or textbooks at local schools. Efforts to appeal to reason, he claims, have failed.

So Lair decided to tie the $8 tin foil hat purchase to an amendment removing language that would prevent the state from accepting federal grants to implement Common Core standards for public schools.

"After Lair's amendments were approved, Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville, sought to restore the language banning the use of federal grants to implement Common Core. His amendment was defeated," the Tribune reports.

In addition to concerns about data mining, critics argue that Common Core promotes a one-size-fits-all approach to education and takes away control from teachers and local school systems. There have also been problems with Common Core “aligned” lessons and textbooks including far-left and progressive political messages.

Some states have dropped the name "Common Core" and are attempting to rebrand the same program under different titles.

(H/T: Dana Loesch)