Kinder and advanced grade inflation

This week, Peter Kinder spent his time encouraging students to skip school.

Next week, he moves on to advanced grade inflation, with the start of his taxpayer-funded, French-style bike race, the Tour of Missouri.

Watch for Kinder to announce eye-popping projections on the number of "unique spectators" that witness his spectacle.

Last year, for example, Kinder estimated that 42,000 unique spectators saw the Jefferson City leg of the race.

And yet, that's more than the entire population of Jefferson City.  And the photographic evidence of the event shows mostly empty sidewalks, save the occasional statue.

But you can bet Kinder will see the phantom multitudes again this year as he stands on the podium, arms overhead in the Continental Style.