Over the years the concept evolved from spending spree vouchers to gift cards to, well the ultimate voucher, cash: the universally tradable commodity.

FORBES: Do Yourself A Favor And "Voucherize" The Christmas Thing

This week the House and Senate compromised on a mushy education-reform bill that drops vouchers, increases spending and boosts the federal role in educational testing.

ECONOMIST: Dick Armey moves on

The second was growing confidence that the government's public-spending gamble was failing, leaving the minds of voters potentially receptive to radical Tory ideas, including the use of vouchers in education and health care.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot