Posted on 01/07/2008 8:58:20 AM PST by LowCountryJoe
[Snip]...This Constitution prescribes a limited role for the federal government whose purpose is “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty ... “ This purpose statement should give Congress a clear focus on national priorities and the good of the nation as a whole.
Unfortunately, many members of Congress have forgotten that oath and lost sight of our constitutional purpose. Instead of conducting our business in Congress with an eye toward what is best for the whole country, we fight about what is best for our next election and who can get the most taxpayer dollars for his state or congressional district. This is not how our Founders intended Congress to function...[Snip]
...Instead of keeping promises, we have let the earmarking system pervert our purpose as members of Congress.
The American people deserve better and when they demand better, they'll get it. Voters must help Congress break it's addiction to earmarks and force it to regain its focus on the good of our nation.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
On the same topic and where I happened to find this editorial that Senator DeMint wrote.
Our 2 most esteemed conress critters from Alaska, Stevens and Young, both defended the use of earmarks, saying the money is there anyway, it might as well come to Alaska. Absolutely no talk of reducing or getting rid of them. Pigs at the trough, and I am sick and tired of it from supposed conservatives.
Neither one, I guess, thought to say, "You know what?...we could actually save some money here and use it on our ridiculous social security entitlement and actually have the SSA purchase assets with an actual monetized value."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.