When it comes to iPads, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is no fan. The congressman — an iPad owner — took to the House floor on Friday to address the unemployment crisis in America and claimed the Apple tablet is "probably responsible for eliminating thousands of jobs."
Jackson cited the recent bankruptcy of bookstore Borders as evidence of Apple's role in the dwindling economy. "Why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes and Noble? Just buy an iPad and download your book, download your newspaper, download your magazine," he said, going on to warn Congress about the potential for a paperless society in the near future. "What becomes of publishing companies and publishing-company jobs? What becomes of bookstores and librarians and all of the jobs associated with paper? Well, in the not-too-distant future, such jobs simply won't exist."
Jackson also criticized Apple creator Steve Jobs for manufacturing the tablets in China instead of America, which he believes is contributing to the unemployment problem.
It appears that the congressamn can't seem to make up his mind about the iPad. Just last month he was seen praising the product and claimed that the tablet was "revolutionizing" the country. He even went so far as to suggest that there be an "iPad for every student in the nation." Technology is definitely responsible for making certain jobs obsolete, but it's also responsible for creating thousands more. Jackson needs to get his facts straight and accept that technology comes with living in the 21st century.
Read more at the Huffington Post.
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