Republican Earmarks Aren't Earmarks

[Dan J 277]

The whole issue of earmarks is really a byproduct of our political system. Our congress people don't get elected on what good they do for the country as a whole, they get elected based on what they can bring back to their home district.

Unless a particular congressperson is quite comfortable in his or her district, which few are, not bringing money home is political suicide.

I don't really think "ending" earmarks will actually end them at all. They will just be included in the spending bills in different ways. We will complain about it, but at the end of the day, we want our representatives to bring federal money to our states and districts.

[Danno 1,228]

But wait a minute, are you saying Obama is no better than the Republicans he was elected to replace?

"Hope" is fading and "Change" is hard to see.

It's rather sad because so many young, idealistic people believed in this guy.

[Danno 1,228]

Hypocrisy in the GOP? What's new? Should actually be renamed to HOP.

I - HOP

Come hungry, leave happy.

Where you can ask for the special, Rooty-tooty, fresh and fruity, personally prepared by Sen. Craig.

Speaking of Craig.... is that degenerate still in denial about being a **?

Havn't heard from him in a while.

[Dan J 277]

But wait a minute, are you saying Obama is no better than the Republicans he was elected to replace?

"Hope" is fading and "Change" is hard to see.

It's rather sad because so many young, idealistic people believed in this guy.

I didn't say anything about Obama. But I did say that voters, even with all their complaints about earmarks, still want their reps to bring home the bacon.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

But wait a minute, are you saying Obama is no better than the Republicans he was elected to replace?

"Hope" is fading and "Change" is hard to see.

It's rather sad because so many young, idealistic people believed in this guy.

I didn't say anything about Obama. But I did say that voters, even with all their complaints about earmarks, still want their reps to bring home the bacon.

I dont want my rep bringin me nothin.

[Volkswagon 0]

But wait a minute, are you saying Obama is no better than the Republicans he was elected to replace?

"Hope" is fading and "Change" is hard to see.

It's rather sad because so many young, idealistic people believed in this guy.

I didn't say anything about Obama. But I did say that voters, even with all their complaints about earmarks, still want their reps to bring home the bacon.

I dont want my rep bringin me nothin.

Hopefully he won't.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The whole issue of earmarks is really a byproduct of our political system. Our congress people don't get elected on what good they do for the country as a whole, they get elected based on what they can bring back to their home district.

Unless a particular congressperson is quite comfortable in his or her district, which few are, not bringing money home is political suicide.

I don't really think "ending" earmarks will actually end them at all. They will just be included in the spending bills in different ways. We will complain about it, but at the end of the day, we want our representatives to bring federal money to our states and districts.

Yep. And from a pragmatic POV, how can you blame them if it's their constituents elect them and not the rest of America? As much as the Republicans want to hem and haw over spending, even their own elected members in Congress know that federal money going to their states will mean jobs which will in turn help their local economy.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Mister Fancypants