OINK< OINK!! Congress still pigging out on pork-barrel projects

[L. Coyote]

Congress still pigging out on pork-barrel projects: watchdog group
By Robert Brodsky - April 2, 2008 - http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed0408/040208rb1.htm


What does a fruit fly research project in Paris, a sheep utilization program in Montana and a lobster institute in Maine all have in common? The insane ramblings of a mad-zoologist with too much time on his hands? Not quite.

In fact, the three aforementioned projects were all supported in 2007 by taxpayer-funded earmarks and are among examples of allegedly wasteful spending highlighted in the 18th annual Congressional Pig Book. Published by Citizens Against Government Waste, a nonpartisan watchdog group ....

top three senators in total earmark dollars all sit on the committee. Ranking member Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., received $892 million in earmarks; Stevens brought home $469 million; and Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., got $465 million.

The top three earmarkers in the House also sat on the Appropriations Committee. Roger Wicker, formerly a Republican member of the House and now a senator, led the way with $176 million. He was followed by Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., ($169 million) and Defense Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa. ($159 million).

In total, Democrats received 55 percent of the 2008 earmarks ....................

[Blue_In_AK]

1. They will have to pry the earmarks

from Ted Stevens' cold, dead fingers. Even after Gov. Palin suggested that he might want to cool it, he still carries on. He just can't help himself.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Nice Talking Points...

Not all government grants or spending are "pork". It's easy to put up the dollar amount and some off-the-wall foundation and avoid providing the context as to why the money is being allocated. Some "pork" ends up going to the very people who elect these people and either create or preserve jobs all over the country. Yes, some pad their pockets, but a lot of the "pork" spending is meant to stimulate the economy back home...what these people are sent to Washington in the first place.

Isn't it something how little we heard about "pork" when the GOOP were in charge, but how it's a big issue now? Yep, the mighty wurlitzer still can spin quite a tune...

[L. Coyote]

3. Indeed. How much "pork" is in the defense spending bill, etc.... hidden herds of swine everywhere

I imagine.

Then, how much is over-paid in no-bid contracts to cronies like Halliburton, Blackwater, etc..... yet another hear of swine...

How much spending at GSA was directed to political ends ... more pigs at the public trough ....

Oh yeah, do we need to pay for guys like Rove working on political affairs inside the White House .... another swine