LTE: Eyeballing education costs

In "Apple victory could be a loss for consumer" (Tuesday Business Section), commentator James Temple worries whether American companies successfully defending their patents against theft is a good thing.  It's strange the things we prioritize to worry about.  K through 12 public education now costs American taxpayers over $10,000 per student per year for a generally terrible product, but Mr. Temple is worried about whether Apple might get a monopoly for products that cost a few hundred bucks - and work flawlessly.  Ditto for a college education, which costs close to $15,000 per year and turns out a very mediocre product.  Health care now costs taxpayers and ratepayers over $8,000 per patient per year, yet we are less and less healthy every year.

 

The one thing these businesses all have in common is that they truly are monopolies, and their pricing is not subject to the open market as is Apple's.  Perhaps Mr. Temple ought to worry about them a bit.

 

Pete Smith

Cypress

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Eyeballing education costs

In "Apple victory could be a loss for consumer" (Page B6, Tuesday), commentator James Temple worries whether American companies successfully defending their patents against theft is a good thing. It's strange the things we prioritize to worry about. Kindergarten through 12th grade public education now costs American taxpayers over $10,000 per student per year for a generally terrible product, but Temple is worried about whether Apple might get a monopoly for products that cost a few hundred bucks - and work flawlessly. Ditto for a mediocre college education. Health care now costs taxpayers and ratepayers over $8,000 per patient per year, yet we are less and less healthy every year.

The one thing these businesses all have in common is that they truly are monopolies, and their pricing is not subject to the open market as is Apple's.

Pete Smith, Cypress

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/letters/article/Letters-Education-costs-wind-energy-Astros-3832050.php