Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Republican ban on earmarks won't end lawmakers' pet projects or fix budget woes
MPLS Star & Sickle ^ | 11-23-10 | ALAN FRAM (AP)

Posted on 11/23/2010 10:42:01 AM PST by WOBBLY BOB

WhilWASHINGTON - Despite their claims, the Republicans' ban on earmarks won't stop lawmakers from steering taxpayers' dollars to pet projects. And it will have little if any effect on Washington's far graver problem — the gigantic budget deficit.

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boondoogle; bribes; budget; earmarks; flake; pork; porkulus; rail; spending; waste
"Earmarks ban may sink state projects" The Central Corridor rail line is one of many plans that are in serious jeopardy.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/109087984.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

this is likely what makes the MPLS Star & Sickle really sad...it's as if they'd be OK with bribery as long as it's a REALLY productive bribe.

1 posted on 11/23/2010 10:42:08 AM PST by WOBBLY BOB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

It may not fix the problem, but it is a great place to start.


2 posted on 11/23/2010 10:44:25 AM PST by rjsimmon (1-20-2013 The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

To not slow spending where ever possible because “it’s just a few pennies” is a losing meme.


3 posted on 11/23/2010 10:44:47 AM PST by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

Who said ending earmarks was the end-all and be-all??

Its just a very small start.


4 posted on 11/23/2010 10:45:04 AM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

Who said ending earmarks was the end-all and be-all??

Its just a very small start.


5 posted on 11/23/2010 10:45:04 AM PST by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GeronL

“Earmarks ban may sink state projects”
The Central Corridor rail line is one of many plans that are in serious jeopardy.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/109087984.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
.
ending that boondoggle is one positive side effect...
while Wille’s guitar gently weeps.


6 posted on 11/23/2010 10:47:16 AM PST by WOBBLY BOB ( "I don't want the majority if we don't stand for something"- Jim Demint)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

This is the drum-beat from the left. Expect to hear a lot of it.

Remember Kaa, in the 1967 Jungle Book movie?

“Go to sleep... go to sleep... Earmark ban won’t work... Won’t do anything at all...”


7 posted on 11/23/2010 10:50:07 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB

Another point.....why do we abet these politicians by also calling this an ear mark “ban”....it is not a ban...it is a 2 year moratorium. A big difference.


8 posted on 11/23/2010 10:52:07 AM PST by Enten (How's that hopey changey thing working out for you?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WOBBLY BOB
The budget needs NO ear marks, tongue marks, eye marks, nose marks, tooth marks, tear marks, cheek marks, or head butting marks..

NO MARKs AT ALL... and what should be funded should be under-funded..
the federal government needs to be dowNsiZed...

9 posted on 11/23/2010 11:05:22 AM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enten

in a Congresscritters mind, 2 years without a payoff or a kickback IS an eternity.


10 posted on 11/23/2010 11:24:24 AM PST by WOBBLY BOB ( "I don't want the majority if we don't stand for something"- Jim Demint)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: rjsimmon

I agree. Earmarks are not a big portion of the deficit. But they are a major way that congress critters purchase campaign contributions from unions, corporations, NGO’s etc. They are a big source of corruption.

Ultimately, the only way to curb corruption long term is to rid the congress of most of it’s new-deal and later powers and return to the enumerated constitutional powers. If congress critters don’t have much to sell, there will be fewer buyers.


11 posted on 11/23/2010 11:47:30 AM PST by ModelBreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ModelBreaker

We know that of course, but as any poor person will tell you - don’t cut vital things unless the non-vital go first.

Cutting Social Security or Medicare before all the swine odor studies and turtle tunnels are done away with is stupid.

It is demeaning and demoralizing no matter if the project is only a few million dollars. It all adds up.

The back room deals will be cut down - unrelated provision into bills will be less and lobbyists will be less powerful.

What a fine mess these politicians have gotten us into. Too bad is a big game to them - they will never be affected.

But this is my life, my children’s lives and the soon to be grandbaby’s life that is affected.

A POX on both their houses!


12 posted on 11/23/2010 12:06:15 PM PST by 30Moves
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson