Mathews on Earmarks

[SuperChief]

Originally Posted by momster

Hot Air Blog Archive Uh oh: Matthews sounding fed up with Obama’s earmark hypocrisy

Earmarks only make up 1% of the stimulus package and out of all that money the republicans own 40% in THIER part but to hear them tell it they never had an earmark in their lives. Not all earmarks are bad. Lets hope both parties but them to good use and help create some jobs.

[momster]

Originally Posted by SuperChief

Earmarks only make up 1% of the stimulus package and out of all that money the republicans own 40% in THIER part but to hear them tell it they never had an earmark in their lives. Not all earmarks are bad. Lets hope both parties but them to good use and help create some jobs.

There are over 9000 earmarks in the stim. And is this the time to spend?? When there is no "real" money

I think not.. And BO said he would go through line by line every earmark..

Do you think he did? And if so why was he rushing to get this passed through Congress in a day and a half.
Wasn't there promises by BO leading up to the stim saying there would be no earmarks in this stim package.

[Popeye]

Originally Posted by SuperChief

Earmarks only make up 1% of the stimulus package and out of all that money the republicans own 40% in THIER part but to hear them tell it they never had an earmark in their lives. Not all earmarks are bad. Lets hope both parties but them to good use and help create some jobs.

That's not the point SC. He adamantly opposed earmarks by stating that he would go line by line with a scalpel to remove them. I know the Republicans are just as guilty, and both parties are acting like teenagers with daddy's credit card.
The point is that any spending by out elected officials should be debated on, then voted. By hiding all this shit in the budget, they are doing exactly what I have been trying to teach my kids not to do.....don't spend more than you can earn. Also, this budget is not about restoring our financial woes, it's about payback. Every group than managed to put Obama, Pelosi and the rest of the Congress is getting what they wanted. It's bribery on a biblical scale. It stinks of the hypocrisy that Obama promised to change.
I hope some of that money went to stop the unfair trade practices, end the free trade that has hamstrung this country, and provided more money for warrantless wiretapping. You see, nothing has changed, it's still "get me elected, and you'll get what you want" politics as usual.
Mangod is an empty suit, and the House and Senate are filling it with kickbacks.

Meet the new boss......he's the same as the old boss.

[Hog&Tow]

Pops you know that's the way Washington works. or at least you should. one man will not change pork & earmarks overnight. it is kinda like when we as rails go to the bargaining table.it's give & take.trade this for that...Obama used CHANGE as a tool to win politically, but this part of lawmaking will never change. what stinks is the Pubs trying to pass the 40% as Chief said & screaming "but...but OUR causes are more noble than yours" yeah, it's politics as usual & it will always be done this way.

[momster]

Originally Posted by Hog&Tow

Pops you know that's the way Washington works. or at least you should. one man will not change pork & earmarks overnight. it is kinda like when we as rails go to the bargaining table.it's give & take.trade this for that...Obama used CHANGE as a tool to win politically, but this part of lawmaking will never change. what stinks is the Pubs trying to pass the 40% as Chief said & screaming "but...but OUR causes are more noble than yours" yeah, it's politics as usual & it will always be done this way.

They think were all stupid asses. Well there wrong about all of us - only some.



Capitol Hill’s top Democrats are making a full-throated effort to rebrand earmarks as good government, not a dirty word synonymous with pork-barrel hijinks.

With President Obama’s vow to clamp down on earmarks putting pressure on lawmakers to change their ways, congressional leaders have set out to educate voters about why they think Congress should direct dollars to districts or states for specific pet projects.

“That there is something inherently evil, wicked or criminal or wrong with [earmarks], it’s just not the case,” said Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, noting that he earmarked millions of dollars in the pending omnibus spending bill for what he said were worthy projects in his home state.

Mr. Durbin said lawmakers’ pet projects are listed in the bill and exposed to public scrutiny, and that members of Congress know how to best spend taxpayer dollars in their districts and states.

“Otherwise, what happens? We give the money to the agency downtown and they decide where to spend it,” Mr. Durbin said on the Senate floor. “It isn’t as if the money won’t be spent. Oh, it will be spent. But it may not be spent as effectively or for projects that are as valuable.”