neil bush cashes in on "no child left behind"

[dyehard39]

Sat Jan 08, 2005 at 09:55:56 AM PST
No Child Left Behind: Neil Bush cashes in too
1. by pamindurham
Neil Bush has a colorful history, including failed S&Ls, insider stock trading scandals, and well, general Bush family corruption.
We already know that Armstrong Williams received a handsome payday from the taxpayer for pimping No Child Left Behind for Bush, but Neil Bush benefits directly from No Child Left Behind, picking pockets in all school districts as his software company preps students for the standardized tests required by NCLB. pamindurham's diary :: ::
Neil Bush founded Ignite Incorporated, a software company that helps students prepare to take comprehensive tests required under the No Child Left Behind act. A phone call by one of the readers of my blog to Ignite's toll free number reached a company directory that was able to locate Neil Bush's extension -- so it's still his baby with the dough rolling in. Here's a little more info on Neil's profiteering down in Florida. This was back in 2002, before Armstrong Williams got to belly up to the taxpayer's bar: Governor's Brother Marketing School Software (FlaNews.com):
Some politicians are questioning whether Governor Jeb Bush's brother Neil is trying to use the FCAT to make a buck. Neil Bush founded a company that provides software to help students take standardized tests. Critics say it doesn't look right for Neil Bush to be marketing his software to Florida schools.
Ignite, Incorporated makes computer software to help children prepare for standardized tests like florida's FCAT. Students at an Orlando-area middle school are using the software as part of a pilot program. Founder Neil Bush is the brother of Governor Jeb and President George Bush.
The arrangements is raising eyebrows at the state Democratic Party. Spokesman Ryan Banfill says having one brother selling something to help students on a test spearheaded by another brother and sanctioned by the president doesn't look good. "We think that there's an appearance of impropriety here," Banfill said. "We think that in the name of all that's good and ethical, that maybe Neil Bush should step back and not try to make money off of Florida's FCAT."
Ignite wanted 30 dollars-per-year-per-student for its software for this deal, netting 60 million dollars.
Also, Neil is a big fan of outsourcing, one of Shrub's driving influences on our economy. He has made great strides increasing Ignite's profitability by outsourcing Ignite jobs to Mexico. (WP):
For the last several years, Bush's main business interest has been Ignite!, the educational software company he co-founded in 1999. To fund Ignite!, Bush has raised $23 million from U.S. investors (including his parents), as well as businessmen from Taiwan, Japan, Kuwait, the British Virgin Islands and the United Arab Emirates, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Last year, Ignite! also entered into a partnership with a Mexican company, Grupo Carso Telecom. The partnership enabled Ignite! to lay off half of its 70 employees and outsource their jobs to Mexico.

This is likely just the tip of the iceberg; who else is cashing in and how much has been lifted out of our wallets for this ethics-free family of privilege?
Pam's House Blend
Thanks to House Blend reader Ms. Julien in Miami, who pointed me to this topic and relevant links.
Tags: Nathan Sproul, corruption, cronyism (all tags)

[2ndamendsis]

have a LINK?

[dyehard39]

have a LINK?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/8/125556/7027