As approved at the Nov. 17 2004 appropriations meeting the
Foreign Operations bill had contained a mere 9 earmarks. The omnibus measure, completed two days later contained 11,772 separate earmarks. (goat-meat research in Texas," Future foods" development im Illinois, Legume research, noxious weed eradication- you get the picture. ) While deficits soar so have earmarks-15,584 separate earmarks worth about $32.7 billion were attached to appropriation bills-more than twice the amount in 2001. The misuse of "earmarks" also known as "pork" is not new, but Tom Delay has raised it to a high art. Where as,in the past the powerful appropriation committee seats were awarded on the basis of seniority, Delay assigned "at risk" members to appropriations (Anne Northup for Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education) Her district Louiville received more funds than the entire state of Deleware or Nebraska. The link between lawmaker and earmark is impossible to identify with certainty because the papertrail is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

The Defense appropriation bill is a favorite target for those seeking pork. In 1980 there were just 62 earmarks. Last year there were 2,671, worth $12.2 billion (3 mil for stainless steel bathroom research, 3.75 for alcoholism research, 13.85 for textile companies that produce clothing for the Pentagon including "smart apparel " for warriors...."

I particularly like this quote from ex-senator Paul Douglas who compared his colleagues to "drunkards who shout for temperance in the intervals between cocktails"

For more on this, read Ken Silverstein, "harper's" July 05

__________________
I wasn't born with enough middle fingers.

If it makes you feel better I promise to weep on the inside.