We can get rid of the pork barrel, if we want to.

[rogerashton]

As long as tax and appropriations bills are wish lists for congressmen, the Federal budget will be a pork pie, regardless of party and liberal-conservative "ideologies." The budget and taxes need to be designed by experts, on the basis of scientific cost-benefit studies.

But that wouldn't be very democratic, would it?

On the other hand, we could handle it a bit like the military base closing process. Every year, have an expert commission write a budget, appropriations, and tax laws, and have the congress vote it up or down.

I know, politics had its influence on the base closings, but at least that was limited. And the hearings probably had some positive influence on the quality of the recommendations, since those who protested had to give some sort of reason other than "I want" for their protests against the first draft.

OK, maybe this goes too far. Let the expert commission write three plans: tall, grande and vente. Um, I mean, small, medium and large. Congress can choose one. If there is no majority for small or large, medium takes force automatically.

Of course, Congress should set the overall guidelines in a democracy. Before the commission starts its work, for example, Congress might call for a certain rate of growth of spending and that be made the target for the medium budget. Some categories of spending, such as subsidies to corporations, could be ruled out entirely. But the input of Congress should be on priorities, not on spending in particular districts, since American Congressment have demonstrated every year since 1789 that they are incapable of handling that power responsibly.