Without earmarks, Congress can use phone-marks to feed pet projects

Discussion in 'Current Events' started by Flaming Moderate, Dec 22, 2010.

  1. Flaming Moderate

    Flaming Moderate New Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2010
    Messages:
    2,992
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Without earmarks, Congress can use phone-marks to feed pet projects

    Here we go. I was certain that all of the chest thumping over earmarks could only mean there was another, less accountable way of doing the same thing. Got to keep those campaign contributors happy somehow.
     
  2. 17thAndK

    17thAndK New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2010
    Messages:
    7,412
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Earmarks are a means to move funds into worthwhile small-scale local and regional projects without having to take up scarce calendar time to do it. There is nothing wrong with earmarks. They are effective and efficient. As with so many things, problems can arise in abuse of the earmark process. Substantial advances and expansions of the sunshine measures needed to keep the earmark process honest have been introduced since 2007. There is no reason to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Republicans (ironically, the ones who did so much to make all that sunshine necessary) are currently grandstanding a non-issue. What else have they got to do? They certainly don't spend much time coming up with any actual ways to help the country or its people.
     
  3. Flaming Moderate

    Flaming Moderate New Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2010
    Messages:
    2,992
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Well this is one of the rare times I'll take issue with you. I find the republicants spend a great deal of time making sure their contributors are well taken care of.
     
  4. waltky

    waltky Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2009
    Messages:
    30,071
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Politicians circumventing the earmark ban...
    :omg:
    Despite earmark ban, lawmakers try to give money to hundreds of pet projects
    November 29,`11 - Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), along with Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), called Tuesday for a permanent end to earmarking.
    See also:

    Sens. Toomey, McCaskill stir pot with proposal for permanent earmarks ban
    11/29/11 - Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) will team up on Wednesday to unveil legislation that would permanently ban earmarks in appropriations bills.
     

Share This Page