Can't See The Forrest From The Trees

Even though 9,000 earmarks sounds like a lot, and combined with over 2,000 from the stimulus bill, it totals over 11,000 costing about 29 billion dollars. 29 billion out of about 1.4 trillion dollars (stimulus and omnibus bills combined), represents about 0.5% of the spending in the bill. Not to sound pro-earmark or pro-pork, but I commend that outcome, especially if it reduces the burden on police and school systems, reduces tax burden for ER visits, and creates jobs through sustainable infrastructure and revenue-generating projects.

So, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), how can you, in the same breath, condemn earmarks from other members of the Senate while applauding your own? One states "pork" is another states stimulus. Is this more hypocrisy?

Granted, when the "pork" is tied to campaign contributions from companies desiring the project, which it may very well be, I take issue with that aspect. However, that seems to be a contract bidding and competition issue between the senators/state legislature and the companies; now, that needs review and full disclosure, but the issue may not necessarily be the earmarks.

Update: 03/12/09:

The Daily Show weighed-in in a similar fashion.

Update: 03/19/09:

The Diane Rehm Show had a rather informative episode entitled Earmark Reform. Listen here.

Candidate Barack Obama promised to change how Washington works but the omnibus spending bill he just signed contained more than eight thousand earmarks. A look at how members of congress set aside money for projects in their districts and how the new administration hopes to reform the process.

Norman Ornstein, is resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute; coauthor with Thomas Mann of "The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track."

Thomas Mann, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and co-author of "The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How To Get It Back On Track."

Melanie Sloan, executive director, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Cathy McMorris Rogers, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is serving her 3rd term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Washington's 5th Congressional District. She serves as Vice Chair in the House Republican Conference. She is also on the House Armed Services Committee, the Education and Labor Committee and the Natural Resources Committee, where she serves as ranking member on the Water and Power Subcommittee.

Rep. James P. Moran, Congressman Jim Moran was elected to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2008. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee, where he serves on the Defense, Interior and Labor Health and Human Services Subcommittees. He also serves on the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.