[teeman8r]

this would be a grand day indeed... bush, by executive order states all earmarks to be used to eliminate the debt first and foremost and then can be spent accordingly...

dems would fight it saying that it is unfair to the children to take money away to eliminate the debt we are placing on our children.

teeman

[rellimpank]

—it’s about seven years too late—

[leadhead]

Won’t ever happen.

[sinanju]

Of course the reps and sens can still try to slip their earmarks into legislation but that has to be voted on and any senator can halt a bill to demand an up-or-down vote on any individual earmark that said earmarks’ sponsor must then defend live on CSPAN.

[RoadTest]

Are there more pigs than people under that gorgeous dome?

[Sparticus]

I think folks are misinterpreting this slightly. From my understanding, an earmark directs spending to for a federal expenditure to be directed to a particular company or organization, bypassing a federal departments normal contracting process. They way I'm interpreting this article is that Congress has the power to appropriate funds for projects but not the power to stipulate that company XYZ will get the contract.

If the president has this power and can make it stick, this would effectively neuter the power of of Representatives and Senators from funneling federal contracts to businesses in their home districts. The political implications of this would be hugh and series :)

[CyberAnt]

I’m praying Bush has the courage [which he has exhibted before on many issues] to take down the democrats/repubs once and for all.

All those snotty-nosed repubs who do nothing but whine about Bush .. need to get the JERK yanked out of them!!