There will always federal projects, and there will always people who want them in their states (districts). The only solution I see is to force representatives from states who MAY get a project to recuse themselves from the process (completely, meaning they cannot even speak about it) and when a project is approved, the actual placement of project (where it’s going to happen) should be decided by an independent organization like the GAO based on hard facts.
We are completely two faced about this issue as voters, we all claim to abhor the process as explicit bribery, but then love to re-elect representatives on districts where they "bring home the bacon".
You could find virtually every representative able to simultaneously claim they are against earmarks, and also blowing their horns about the millions they brought into their district.
You know if even Ron Paul is bringing bacon home (by inserting the earmarks, and then voting against the bills that he knows will pass), we have a serious problem.
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Written By:
Captin Sarcastic
URL:
http://
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Captin: That’s why we really need leadership from a President about earmarks; you’ve pointed out why we’re not going to get it from Congress.
Obama, Clinton, McCain, I don’t care who; veto something for having too many earmarks! |
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Written By:
Jeremy Bowers
URL:
http://www.jerf.org/iri/
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Cap’n said:...the actual placement of project (where it’s going to happen) should be decided by an independent organization like the GAO based on hard facts. I think you mean something like BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission.) Yeah, that worked real well. |
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Written By:
tom scott
URL:
http://
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I could be accused of being a one-issue guy: Fiscal Responsibility, with all that entails. We don’t ever seem to get it from our elected officials. Yes Jeremy, somebody please veto a bill for having too many earmarks! Or... how about vetoing a bill with one earmark... just to send a message that they are a corrupting influence on our political process?
I’m not holding my breath. |
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Written By:
JAMES AMENT
URL:
http://jrament.blgspot.com/
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I’ve had this conversation in real life at least twice in the past few weeks:
Me: "I’ll vote for anybody who is willing to be fiscally responsible."
Dem: "Why not vote democratic?"
Me: "Because all they’ve done is talk the talk."
Dem: "..."
It’s really quite rich seeing the Democrats slinging garbage about how Bush has spent us into bankruptcy; anybody with eyes can see that at the moment, it’s just political kabuki. They’ve had every opportunity to take action on it, and failed utterly.
Also, nothing throws a wrench in a political conversation like valuing actions more than words. Very anti-social, apparently. |
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Written By:
Jeremy Bowers
URL:
http://www.jerf.org/iri/
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I would very much like to be proven wrong.
I would very much like to be taller, more handsome and far richer.
Just about the same odds.
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Written By:
Uncle Pinky
URL:
http://
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