We're confused. We thought politicians hated earmarks. Oh wait, Democrats love them but Republicans hate them?
Then here's something to mull: Republican U.S. Rep. Howard Coble of Greensboro sent out a press release this afternoon trumpeting his success at landing six earmarks worth $4.5 million for his district around the Triad. Wait 'til Rush hears about this! Or S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
Coble said he favors earmark reform. "But as long as earmarks remain a part of the legislative funding process, I would be doing a disservice to the citizens of the 6th District by not seeking funding for worthwhile projects."
Among the projects: $2.28 million for the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor Initiative to double-track three rail sections from Charlotte to Greensboro. This is money worth spending, as some earmarks are. That train runs hours late most nights because it gets stuck behind freight trains on the one-rail line.
The complete release is here.
-- Posted by Taylor Batten
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
N.C. Republican brags about his earmarks
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22 comments:
ever going to bother to blog on Obama's rhetoric/LIES, as in the State of the union, vs. reality????
Let's see if Obama plans to comply with his promise to veto any spending bill that has earmarks. Or will he use the lame excuse that he just inherited this mess
Myrick, Burr and Hayes had a bunch of earmarks too.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican.
ever going to bother to blog on Obama's rhetoric/LIES, as in the State of the union, vs. reality????
I assume you were off the planet and missed the reign of George the Incompetent?
Hypocrisy, thy name is...politician
The roads in W Va are some of the best. Thanks to our senator and the jobs that $$$ money provided. But when that money is spent on NON-ESSENTIAL items. Then cut it. If a local Rep or Dem Senator can bring home some money for local Gov contracts, roads, schools, prisons and things like that, that can create LOCAL jobs. And will not be a government hand out bring it own home and show me the money.
Did anybody see what the 6 things were that he got the money for???? If may be money well spent.
How soon before you get downsized and foreclosed, Batten?
The congressman is right. Earmarks are wrong and in total opposition to this country's founding principles, but as long as they exist then you might as well bring the money to your district...otherwise it's going somewhere else. This is the snowball effect that is federal subsidizing, once it has started it can't be stopped. Unfortunately that's the path our country is on right now...the road to socialism. This means the US government is taking my hard earned money that I worked for and spending it on a railway in Greensboro.
OH, I love this. The republicans are the first to whine about earmarks but the first to use them for their pet projects. To begin with ALL politicians are guilty of this kind of legislation. However, the difference is that the republicans talk about fiscal responsibility (mostly to improve their own wallets) while whining about what everyone else is doing. You won't hear Lush Rimbaugh talk about coble on his program. Thats for sure! He is a loud mouthed idiot who is as dumb as a block.
It amazes me how every time someone criticizes the Obama, the excuse is "well, George Bush blah blah blah.." Wake up, they BOTH suck! George Bush's incompitence doesn't justify Obama's incompentce. We're like sheep, so conditioned to see every issue as Republican OR Democrat. They are two sides of the same coin. The system is broken, revolution calling...
John Keels said the Republicans are the first to use earmarks. What color is the sky in your world? I would bet you anything that dems are leading the way with earmarks. But even that is beside the point - nearly all politians are hypocrits - including Obama who is now back-beddling on his campaign promise (and I voted for the man)
Are you kidding me? With all of the Democrat hypocrisy going on in Washington, your objective journalism can only report on the the Republican earmarks???? I'm sorry, the CO is a joke. Please go bankrupt!
Let me translate the situation into "Repub-speak" for you: "Ugg, me no want earmarks - they bad - but, ugg, me get earmarks for me district - ugg, me do good."
Another article to show how horrible the Charlotte Observer is.
There are 491 "Presidential" earmarks in this spending bill totalling 5.1 billion dollars. Among them, 150 Million for a courthouse in IL and 76 million for West Wing Upgrades. Change in Washington equates to some expensive new curtains...
Hey whatever makes you libs feel better about your pathetic selfs:
Congress to Erase Obama’s Name From Earmark
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Congress will scrub President Obama’s name from a list of earmark cosponsors in the $410 billion omnibus spending bill.
Not only did he lie, not read the stimilus package nor write it nor allow anyone else to read, did not allow any debate on the matter, and did not allow "transparency", he himself earmraked millions in it. Change you can blieve in alright.
The taxpayers are being SO ripped off by D's AND R's. They love to hate earmarks, as long as they get theirs. What was wrong with the idea of a Continuing Resolution (CR) for this fiscal year and let the government operate at 95% of last FY's funding (which is the way a CR works? In these economic times, especially, we did not need ANY additional spending or new programs. That's the situation in my home, we've tightened the belt. The trail of broken promises in Washington grows wider and longer. So much for "change." I just hope we can hang on until the mid-term elections in 2010 and "change" Congress. Then, rascals out and rascals in. We have been snookered and are being fiscally raped. --
I know Libs and repubs like to point fingers at each other but face it, there is little difference between the two parties. At least GB demonstrated leadership - something lacking in our current president. Earmarks are common and part of the deal. The first banking bailout failed due to the add-ons and earmarks. (wish the 2nd had failed too) but Obama outright lied when he said "the end of Earmarks". All are seduced by money and power. Is that tea i see in the harbor?
All politicians love earmarks.The numbers suggest on the Omnibus legislation that more Democrats scored than Republicans which is no surprise.The real story [but no surprise] is that our prez signed this bill with near 9000 Earmarks!That will long be remembered as the epitome of hypocrisy since Obama swore he would never support the practice.He then made a speech about his intent to change the entire earmark process.That would be known in some circles as CHUTZPAH.
>>"But as long as earmarks remain a part of the legislative funding process, I would be doing a disservice to the citizens of the 6th District by not seeking funding for worthwhile projects."
Did he insinuate he took the high road??
Concerned citizens and voters need to email ALL these politicians and let them know we expect and demand fiscal responsibility.
I think some of you should read about what you're talking about. In recent spending bills, Republicans have accounted for about 40 percent of all earmarks. Of course, Congress is about 40 percent Republican, so each Republican is essentially getting the same as each Democrat.
Happily, pork barrel spending has improved the last couple of years. Of course, the record for pork barrel spending occured with Republicans in power in both Congress and the Presidency. Look it up.
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