Earmarks

Now, it might surprise you to find out that I'm not really all that opposed to earmarks in the federal budget. After all, if you are a Congressman/woman in our legislature and you want to get reelected, you'll probably try to include an earmark or two at some point for your local district. This is commonly how the game is played. In fact, most earmarks are harmless and relatively inexpensive compared to the overall federal budget. There are exceptions and they should be fought over tooth and nail. In fact, I'd prefer that local jurisdictions build their own nature centers, etc., but it is really the job of our representatives to "represent us". This means those in their districts first, the rest of the country second. I know, that seems a little backward, but we are supposed to be living in a Republic founded on a federal system, aren't we? Oh, considering how the states are being dictated to in the latest stimulus, perhaps that is no longer true, a travesty if that is the case. Nonetheless, the Republicans are really railing on the Democrats and Obama for the earmarks include in Obama's 3.6 trillion dollar budget. Now, don't even get me started on the budget. After all, even in good times, generally the most our treasury could glean from us was 2.2 trillion, so how we can possibly afford 3.6 is beyond me. Nevertheless, there are only about 10 billion dollars worth of easily identifiable earmarks in Obama's budget. There are many other problems with it, however. If we were to remove the earmarks to "save money", we'd remove 10 billion dollars from a 3.6 trillion dollar budget. That would make the budget what? Oh right, 3.59 trillion dollars. Hmm... guess it would still technically be a 3.6 trillion dollar budget, wouldn't it? So sure, some earmarks can be done away with and technically all of them could be, but they won't be as long it gets them votes. However, right now, my understanding of the budget is that 60 percent of the earmarks were placed in the budget by Democrats. So, if the Republicans are so upset about this 6 billion dollars, who is spending the other 40 percent? Oh right, Republicans. Time for them to start putting the ethics and standards where their mouths are and start living up to what they preach. If they don't then they won't regain enough credibility to make a dent in the 2010 elections. Complaining about earmarks while putting in 4 billion dollars worth yourselves doesn't restore credibility, it makes you look stupid.