Earmarks: Obama‘s ’Reform’ vs. GOP‘s ’Ban’
- Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:19am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) — Confronting the nation’s mounting deficit, President Barack Obama is urging Congress to limit spending on pet home-state projects, while Republicans are challenging him to support an outright ban.
In his weekly radio and online address Saturday, Obama said that with the economy still struggling to recover from the recession, the U.S. cannot afford unnecessary spending on so-called earmarks, items lawmakers slip into spending bills without a full examination or debate.
“When it comes to signaling our commitment to fiscal responsibility, addressing them would have an important impact,” Obama said from Asia, where he was wrapping up a 10-day trip.
However, Obama stopped short of calling for a full ban on earmarks, saying some of them “support worthy projects in our local communities.” While he said steps must be taken to limit wasteful spending, he offered no specific proposals for how to do so.
The top Republicans in the House, Reps. John Boehner of Ohio and Eric Cantor of Virginia, issued a joint statement welcoming Obama’s remarks on earmark reform. But they also raised the stakes, challenging Obama to immediately agree to veto any spending bills that include earmarks.
“Washington has failed to prioritize the way that taxpayer dollars are spent, and shutting down the earmark process is a good first step to begin righting the ship,” Boehner and Cantor said in the statement. They also vowed that House Republicans, including all newly elected lawmakers, will vote next week on a measure that would ban earmarks when the new session of Congress starts in January:
Earmarks have become a symbol of a dysfunctional Congress and serve as a fuel line for the culture of spending that has dominated Washington for too long. Next week the House Republican Conference, including all of our newly elected Members, will vote on a measure that would impose an immediate ban on earmarks at the start of the 112th Congress. We welcome President Obama’s remarks on earmark reform, and we call upon him to urge Congressional Democrats to hold a vote next week on a similar measure. Furthermore, if the President is committed to real earmark reform, he could demonstrate that immediately by agreeing to veto any spending measure this year or next that includes earmarks. Washington has failed to prioritize the way that taxpayer dollars are spent, and shutting down the earmark process is a good first step to begin righting the ship.
In the Republicans’ weekly address, Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon outlined the GOP’s top priorities: creating jobs, cutting spending and reforming Congress.
Walden, who is running the GOP transition committee after the party’s House takeover in the midterm elections, said plans are being made to make the legislative process more open, including the installation of cameras in the Rules Committee, where decisions are made on what bills and amendments come to the floor for a vote.
___
Online:
Obama address: www.whitehouse.gov
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 687 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 536 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 450 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 374 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 333 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 296 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 308 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 200 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 301 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 296 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (77)
jk61
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:08pmAll the president has to do about eaarmarks attached to bills is to VETO the bill and tell Congress if they want things signed by him to rewrite the bill WITHOUT EARMARKS.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 12:23pmNobody’s saying ban the projects or allocations (although a lot of them should be)… just that the earmark PROCESS (last minute, undiscussed, or anonymously tagged with a necessary piece of legislation) should be banned. I’m in favor of a one-issue/one vote process… let’s get a little more sunlight on the things congress is passing. They might have to pay attention a little more in Congress to what’s actually going on (i.e. actually DO their jobs), and we, the people, wouldn’t have to be held hostage with 2000 page bills. Even if Earmarks are banned, there is nothing to say that the Feds cannot continue to allocate funds to the states and various projects… they just might have to give a chance for everyone to see them FIRST!
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:12pmSo what you’re saying is that any project spending appropriation should:
Report Post »1) Pass through commitee.
2) Have the Sponsor’s name on it.
3) Pass without attachments or being attached to any other bill.
4) Be posted on line for peer/citizen review.
Simply brilliant!!!
chickenlittle
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:27pmExactly… we need to stop this dangerous and boated business of passing a national budget or defense bill or major law and then finding out later that we also passed a new federal law on immigration or spitting on the sidewalk in Montana or a pork project in Oregon. In the real world of working people it’s not called earmarks (it’s called extortion). For all the politicians of both parties that claim it would slow things up, I say why? … how long does it take to say yea/nea in a day… how long does it take to have a fillibuster? how long does it take to automatically give yourselves raises. If you think it’s too much work, then get the hell out of there and let us put in people who want to actually do the job of representing this country’s best interests. I dare say that most in the private sector do not have the unlimited staffing or inflated salaries/vacations/benefits legislative positions grant. To all the career politicians I also ask why you are willing to spend or raise $millions for a job that pays a fraction of that??? First thing we need to do is get rid of the “lifetime guaranteed” salaries/benefits/power that the feds grant themselves and pay them for what they actually do… only for as long as they are doing it!
Report Post »Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:42pmThis is how the health care law *should* have been done. 1 piece at a time instead of a 2000 page packet.
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 12:10pmI read the comments at the Blaze.The news of the day still sucks.But the comments here make it just a bit better to take.Now my main sorce of news,Blaze people make an old mans day.
Report Post »Just sayin.
charliego
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:18pm@oldasdirt
Report Post »from one oldie to another —DITTO. This site is mildly addicting, as well as informative. The posts provide an interesting introspection of minds–some are purely hilarious and give me a good laugh-which is good for the health, I hear. Others are very common sense, others analytical depth. There are a few off the wall. I think the blaze does a great job–seem to be attentive to the reader, they have progressed their site very nicely—good job Blaze!! Another good site is Black Quill and Ink–information promoting with analytical base. I think this site will grow as it becomes better known-check it out
wilshar97
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 11:38amDo away with this,eliminate that,all sounds good. Will it happen? Listen to some the comments from the NEW people WE just sent to REPRESENT US even RAND PAUL using words like COMPRIMISE,WORK WITH GOOD PEOPLE LIKE STENY HOYER, what the hell is this??? Since I feel WE have been duped again when all the dust settles is it any wonder the LIBS act like they did not really lose????? I thought all this effort was to stop their AGENDA not to help them IMPOSE it on US
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 11:03amHow about we put limitations that you can spend on earmarks and have the project be declared an earmark that would be the most simple solution that could be done.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:50amStop All Earmarks !! Do not attach any discretionary spending to Bills. Any money needed for State projects should be made to be Stand Alone requests. email your representatives in the Senate and the House and tell the NO Earmarks until we get spending cut. It is time to Stop the Pork Kings.
Report Post »Texas49
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:38amThe reaction to the Debt Commission’s proposal pretty much says it all. Everyone corals their sacred cows before they can be gored. Obama simply wants to protect ear marks that buys Democrat votes and cut earmarks that don’t. Everyone is right about King Obama, the words that flow off the teleprompter are meaningless and any resemblance to the truth are purely coincidental. Worthless rhetoric to placate the masses. Obama’s Asian fiasco has confirmed that at least the rest of the world sees the Emperor has no clothes. Those mindless twits who worship the Huffington Poop just choose to ignore it.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:36amIts just a matter of time, as long as the GOP and Tea Party leaders keep pursuing their Pledge to America, they will win the good fight over the evil and socialist administration of Barack Obama. We must be patient like an Asian and in the end, Obama, Soros, they will all go down…
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:36amWhen I hear the democraps talking about adding back Bush cut taxes for those over $250,000. I think about ALL the other taxes they pay already on that money. Why would anyone bother to make more money if almost HALF of it is taken right off the top? Then they say if they don’t do it it will add another trillion to the national deficit. )(like they CARE about the deficit now?) YOU TELL ME who here thinks if they TAKE in that TRILLION in taxes that they will ACTUALLY put it toward the deficit? My guess is they will JUST SPEND THAT, TOO! What a farce…
Report Post »Nvrforget
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:12pmCEOs and other people who actually drive the economy don’t earn their money by income, they earn it by capital gains. CEOs are usually paid with company stock so they have an interest in raising the stock value of their companies. Income tax doesn’t really apply to them. Many earn basically no money in the way of income, so don’t worry about the rich people, they’re safe.
Report Post »Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:40pm@Nvrforget
Uh.. logic flaw.. Capital gains are currently taxed @ 35%… there is only 1 nation on Earth with higher gains taxes and that is Japan @ 40%.
Obama wants to raise capital gain taxes to 39.8% and the real kicker is the tax on dividends that wants to increase from 14% to 39.6%.
I have studied both the flat and fair tax systems. I really favor the fair tax system where people are taxed based on consumption. This way, EVERYONE pays, including illegals, drug dealers, rich, poor, middle-class, etc.. Another plus for taxing in this way is that when taxes increase the price of goods, everyone will notice because it will effect EVERYONE.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:16amWell, if it was me – not only would I ban earmarks -I’d insist on a total forensic audit of the treasury and the federal government.
I think an audit would be a step in the right direction in way of fixing our little problem.
17.95 for a light bulb? did the federal government buy any bridges form a guy named Ponzi as well?
Report Post »charliego
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:14amREFORM—Have not we heard this ‘nebulous’ term before? Redefined-table it, bury it, secret committee it-whatever the vernacular of the day. They cut their own throats utilizing earmarks as hidden entities in important bills just to get them passed—We all know they don’t read them anyway. State needs and appropriations for said are probably legitimate in some ways, but give them the light of day in designed congressional avenues that discuss and debate the values. Perhaps private companies or organizations can do their own investigative-research work and apply for grants to substantiate their ongoing research or particular need. Not on the sly. If it merits and all is on the up and up, grant procedures generally will offer legitimizing ability to fund projects. If I request a grant, it is necessary for me to prove the need-purpose-qualification through appropriate channels- and I contend for it through the funds available.
Report Post »I am tired of this underhanded methodology. Now, I hear Ms. NANCY is having ‘secret meetings’ to secure a minority leader position??? Well, I guess there is nothing new here.. She has the well developed ART of closed doors and secret meetings (arm twisting) methodology perfected. Just STOP already–
OneRepublic4us
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:13amI don’t care what they do to earmarks really, they aren’t the problem. The problem is that the government employs way too many people and they all have pensions and healthcare that I just can’t afford to support anymore. Working for the government shouldn’t make you a millionaire and support you for life. Why aren’t they talking about THOSE entitlement programs?
Report Post »5
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:59am1. OBAMA already Lied about earmarks. Said He would never sign a bill with one earmark in it.
2. OBAMA already Lied about being open and “More transparency than any other President”.
3. OBAMA already Lied about Lobbyist. He said He would never meet with Lobbyist on Jan 20th 2009. The Next day Jan 21st He had a private, closed door meeting with only lobbyist.
4. OBAMA has spent more money than the rest of all Presidents from the 1st President George Washington to 43 President George W. Bush and it hasn’t been two years.
5. OBAMA is the biggest Liar since Nixon and the worse President we have even had.
5. OBAMA is an utter disgrace on the World stage. Our enemies are laughing at us and our friends are shocked. Two years can not come fast enough. Something needs to happen before two years. I don’t think we can take it or make it.
6. OBAMA I wish Him no harm. I wish He would do the best thing for the Country and step down. I know Joe Biden is a joke, but I think He loves our Country and the Military.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:46amI have zero respect for this man. He campaigns with every teleprompter speech. He makes empty promises, and always throws in a mention of “bipartisanship” so that he has a way out if he doesn’t deliver. His speechwriters act as if they know nothing about this man’s personal agenda.
I thought anytime the POTUS gives weekly addresses, he would end with “God Bless America” just like with major speeches – maybe I’m wrong, maybe it is not a standard farewell for these mini-speeches. Well, at least if our Pres doesn’t care about our country, at least he told us all to have a good weekend.
Report Post »freedom10
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:38amWe have a much bigger problem on our hands. Our infrastructure is on the brink of disaster. Bridges, water systems, dams, levees, and roadways are out of date, and could fail at any moment. While we are bailing out banks, car companies, mortgage giants, and sending money to failing socialized countries though the IMF. It is time for the states to take back their sovereign rights and handle these matters at home, or it will not matter when were all below water, literally.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:29amObama is like a door to door salesman.
Trying to sell us something we don’t want, we don‘t need and we can’t afford.
Obama doesn’t have a problem getting his message out, he has lost a lot of credibility with the American people.
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:26amThe real problem with earmarks is how they are used. In the case of the current Congress, they are used to buy votes in favor of bad legislation that would otherwise fail, e.g. the Louisiana Purchase and Cornhusker Kickback.
I am in Missouri and our soon-to-be senior senator, Claire McCaskill-D, is very proud of her record of never having asked for or accepted an earmark. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, not so much. She votes in favor of every earmark-laden spending bill that Obama and her party want, except perhaps when they don’t need her vote and allow her to use an occasional token No as cover for the future. So what do we, her constituents, get? Well, we get to help pay for all the earmarks the rest of you get while getting none of our own. It’s the worst of both worlds no matter your stance on the damn things.
Silat is correct about how important earmarks have been to the defense industry, with Predator drones and the first aircraft carrier being the prime examples. I’m not ready to shed a lot of tears for the telemarketers who I was allowed to block from harassing me and I would suggest that loss of direct mail marketers has more to do with the development of electronic transmission of such ads.
If we’d ever had some Presidents with the stones to publicly call out the sponsors, on both sides, of the most egregious earmark abuses, we wouldn’t need to be having this discussion. Sometimes a little public humiliation goes a long way towards behavior modification.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:20amThe solution? Just throw the rascals out! The thehttp://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »ItsallaboutJesus
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:32amWell said!
Report Post »felina g
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:23amEven more important than earmarks is the problem of these midnight EXECUTIVE ORDERS that are covered up and buried. Also appointments of Czars with unlimited authority and massive bureaucracy to implement God knows what.
It is going to take YEARS to undo what he is doing with the stroke of a pen.
Report Post »Ohiowoman
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:15amFelina, I agree. I’ve been saying this for some time now. None of these czars are necessary unless you have a secret agenda that you want to implement without Congressional scrutiny. Same with his use of executive orders. One good thing is that an incoming President can reverse those executive orders, but in the meantime, they can do a whole lot of damage.
Report Post »OneRepublic4us
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:22amAll those Czars are paid just under what is considered “rich” and they all get government entitlements such as life long healthcare and pensions. Is Van Jones still getting our money even though he stepped down? My guess is yes. He’s set for life.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:20amI HATE watching him speak.. he has the face of a LIAR and his eyes go back and forth as he reads and it makes me dizzy. Plus he looks like S**T, doesn’t he? Hannity was SHINING the light on those EARMARKS years ago, bozo. No one cared. Go take a nap and give ALL of us a BREAK from your agenda!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:36amFor the last 18 months, there has been absolutely no correlation between what Obama says and what he does! That fact makes Obama’s rhetoric irrelevant. for the last 18 months, there has been absolutely no correlation between what Obama says and what he does! That fact makes Obama’s rhetoric irrelevant.
People keep talking about boycotts; let‘s start a boycott that doesn’t punish the innocent.
Let’s boycott Obama.
How do we boycott Obama? Just hold the remote while watching TV and whenever Obama is flashed on the screen parentheses news our commercial), change stations!
One click provides a great feeling of accomplishment and power!
Try it you will like it!!!!!
Report Post »http://commonsense21c.com/
Silat
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:52amThis is a Straw Man! Banning earmarks completely? Are you kidding? Many military projects and urgently needed products are developed and fielded by the US military by providing earmarks to smaller companies for time sensitive technologies. Banning earmarks helps companies like Lockheed Martin, BAE systems that don’t want the competition.
Report Post »Do you know how many thousands of people lost their jobs when the US government decided to start a no call list for homes? Millions of people lost their telemarketing jobs. That trickled down to outbound mail not being sent in the US Postal system. Now the US Postal Service has 1/3 the outgoing advertisements once sent to follow up from telemarketers.
Oh great government, protect me from hang nails!
EqualJustice
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:15amFrivolous and “deal making” earmarks are very different from necessary appropriations, I believe.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:19amNo earmarks and no government regulations. If an automaker wants to build a car without seatbelts and airbags, so what? If the MARKET rules we all win. No minimum wage, if a business can find a worker to work for 50 cents and hour, so what? Let the MARKET dictate…Get Government out of our lives.
Repeal the 16th and 17th ammendments..
Report Post »Ohiowoman
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:12amIf the funding is legitmate and necessary, put it in a bill and vote on it instead of attaching it to some other piece of legislation at the last minute.
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:42pmSilat,
The problem with earmarks is they are used as BRIBES to garner support for other bills. If a bill is good for the nation why does it need a bribe to gain support? And if the would-be earmark is a worthwhile (and Constitutional) project why can’t it stand on its own bill?
Report Post »emeegreen
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:14pmI think they could compromise with a sunset on a full ban on earmarks. If effective progress is made during that time (I think two years would be appropriate) to trim the budget, create jobs, etc., perhaps they can look at a modified earmark proposal.
Report Post »Mike in Columbus
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:42amEither they get rid of all earmarks or the Republicans in Congress … new and old … can expect to have “boot up your ass” marks come next elections.No exceptions. We do need a miracle (or more,) Guy and Rev, and I think that the November 2nd “shellacking” was a good sign. And John Boehner has never had an earmark and that looks like a good sign, too. (Heck, in these days and times that might even qualify as a miracle)
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:37amConfronting the nation’s mounting deficit, President Obama continues to look like a clueless monkey humping a football.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:52amNow that was good! Not a great visual at 8:50 in the morning, but funny.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:11amFitting description. Leads me to wonder if Pelosi is a cross over of the Alien creature and the Predator spider face creature. Perfect mix, loud, noisy, obnoxious, and bad hair day crossed with spider like lines on the face and a most annoying voice booming for miles while unable to be understood.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:13amAlso an insult to monkeys…
Report Post »Fear The Voices
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:16amThe problem with obammy is that everything he says is hollow, and we know it. He made claims about earmarks two years ago, then signed into law, the stimulus bill; nearly a trillion dollar earmark for the progressive agenda. How many more bills (earmarks) has he signed into law since then…..
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:30amThe major difference between freedom (capitalism) and tyranny (communism, fascism, socialism, Monarchies and the Tribal Chief-Witch Doctor form of government) is the deployment of capital. The entrepreneur invests with the objective of creating wealth (making a profit). The tyrants (“Wannabe Peers”) expend wealth with the objective of obtaining political support, punishing descent and rewarding cronies. Any evaluation of the “earmarks” passed by Congress proves this statement. In effect, the “Financial Reform Bill” converts the wealth of our nation into a gigantic campaign fund and gives these “Wannabe Peers” almost total control over the deployment of capital.
This wholesale squandering of wealth will soon produce the economic crisis that will write the obituary for the American Revolution. The return to the tyranny of King George III is eminent, under new management, of course.
Report Post »http://commonsense21c.com/
charliego
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:16am@Grandmaof5, I have noted housenegro does make some very clarifiying remarks succinctly! Wish I had that ability!
Report Post »libertyordeath87
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:37amHmmmmm. Lets see, according to Liberals/Progressives, government spending is the only thing that can reboot the economy . So why is Obama saying this; “Obama said that with the economy still struggling to recover from the recession, the U.S. cannot afford unnecessary spending…”? A tiger can‘t change it’s stripes so there has to be something behind this other than what is portrayed on the surface. Is China pulling Obama’s strings now?
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:34amIs Mr. Obama actually trying to improve the economy. In recent history, almost all coups, resulting in a dictatorship were preceded by a very severe economic crisis. Remember when Rahm Emanuel , Obama’s chief of staff, stated one should never waste a crisis. What do you think he meant?
Mr. Obama presents 3 alternatives:
Ignorance, which can be cured with knowledge
Stupidity, which is forever
Evil, he plans to avenge King George III by destroying the American Revolution and create a dictatorship.
Almost every initiative that Obama has instigated is destructive to the economy. Does anyone really believe that a President can be that stupid or ignorant? If you do, I have some perfectly dry, vacant land that is completely ready for development in Florida for sale cheap, cash only. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »bobby535
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:23am…And if you‘ll buy that I’ll throw the Brooklyn bridge in FREE!!
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:35amAdd your comments
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:28amWe know what needs to be done, eliminate every non-constitutional department, do away with the related nonsense and rules that have been created, take the taxes and shackles off American Industry, and “Coin” a monetary system that has real worth (there is a reason they used that specific word), impeach federal judges that overlook the actual constitution, and teach the truth (perhaps drag Americans, “Kicking and Screaming”) to Americans, not the Progressive Clap Trap.
Report Post »Unfortunately, we do need a miracle.
Rev. WC
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:33amAmen Brother!
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:43amIf only we had a good American President to get er done.
Report Post »MiketheTrucker
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 8:45amYou are absolutely spot on.
I’ve been thinking that perhaps we should back our currency with something of value, but of course we have no gold, and no way to obtain any without going further into debt. So, my thought was this: what if we back the dollar with oil?
What ramifications would that have?
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:07am@Guyperram
Dead on the money for your comments; we need bold action to get the government reigned in, and to restore confidence in it where it is answerable to the people of America, not the other way around like at present. Miracles still happen, small and large if we just look for them and accept the help and the guidance of the Almighty.
Trust in His grace, guidance, and abilities are what will see us through the storm, and keep this great land from going into the night. Our country will emerge greater than ever before if we call to him, listen and do with all of our hearts and mind what He directs.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:12amI would rather put a border around Texas and declare ourselves a Nation with our own Constitution, no welfare, no government regulations and stiff sentences for those who harm others with defective goods or crime. No illegals (Mexican Nationals or Okies) and if you want to live here you must own a gun, believe in God and be ready to run a ******* out of town on a rail…oh can I dream big!!
But we have a weak Governor who will probably be running for President soon…He will be our worst nightmare.
john seven eighteen
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:26am@DUSTYLUV
Right on! Get with the program or get out! We don’t need these idiots in Texas. And I have never been a Rick Perry fan, I think he is all about himself. At least, however, I don’t think he is going to run for Pres because he is going to become the chairman of the Republican Governors Assoc. He wouldn’t stand a chance running for POTUS anyway, thank goodness.
tobywil2
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:26amEARMARKS AND CAPITALISM:
Exactly what is an “EARMARK”? Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia1 list the following definition of “EARMARKS”: “In US politics, an “EARMARK” is a congressional provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees”.
A simpler, more direct definition would be “Congressional provision conferring special privileges or distributing wealth to political cronies”. If you accept this definition, why would you ever reelect a Congressman who sponsored an “EARMARK,” unless you were one of his cronies?
Few “EARMARKS” expend less wealth than was used to start the FORD MOTOR COMPANY or APPLE COMPUTER or the other private enterprise projects that have produced great wealth.
Can you imagine an “EARMARK” funding Thomas Edison and directing him to invent the light bulb? If an “EARMARK” had been passed to fund Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb, do you think he would have accepted the money along with a partner whose objective was political power instead of profit? Hardly. If he had, we would probably still be using candles.
In practice, few “EARMARKS” return any value to the Nation’s Wealth. Some even return a liability, reducing the Nation’s wealth even more than the original cost.
In 2008(the latest year that data is available) the appropriations2 for “EARMARKS” total $16.5 billion.
The UNITED STATES’ “Nominal GDP”3 for 2008 was $14,264.6 billion. So why should we concern ourselves over such a paltry sum of $16.5 billion? After all, it is less than 0.12% of the GDP. The “real GDP per capita”5 growth over the last fifty years has been 2.13% per year. This is probably the best available measurement of the increase in individual productivity. So the “EARMARKS” consume well over 5% of the yearly growth in productivity. $16.5 billion could provide the seed money for hundreds of new enterprises with the capacity to create unlimited wealth.
The nation’s assets (Energy, labor, especially highly skilled or educated labor and materials) are limited. Once those assets are consumed they are no longer available. Most of these assets are used to produce “consumable assets” so the amount of assets available for economic growth is extremely limited. Any waste of this available capital has a significant effect on future economic growth and your prosperity.
More important than the dollar waste are the types of assets squandered. Many of the “EARMARKS” are grants for scientific research paying for the waste of scientific talent and making this talent unavailable for real economic growth projects. The wasteful expenditure of construction materials, labor and equipment limit the useful projects that can be pursued. Other “EARMARKS” give political cronies an advantage over their competition, thus raising your cost of living and limiting your opportunities.
Individual freedom (CAPITALISM) selects projects based upon the belief that the project will produce wealth. “EARMARKS” are selected to reward political cronies or create new cronies for the next election. The effect of “EARMARKS” is to increase the personal power or the personal wealth of the aspiring “PEERS” that propose them.
The “earmarks” are a direct assault on our individual freedom and the nation’s wealth. Any Congressperson who supports “Earmarks” has to be a RINO who has trouble differentiating between his campaign fund and the Federal Budget. Only if you are one of his political cronies could he have your best interest at heart.
http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »5
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:57am1. OBAMA already Lied about earmarks. Said He would never sign a bill with (1) earmark in it.
2. OBAMA already Lied about being open and “More transparency than any other President”.
3. OBAMA already Lied about Lobbyist. Said He would never meet with Lobbyist on Jan 20th 2009. The Next day Jan 21st He had a private, closed door meeting with only lobbyist.
4. OBAMA has spent more money than the rest of all Presidents from the 1st President George Washington to 43 President George W. Bush and it hasn’t been two years.
5. OBAMA is the biggest Liar since Nixon and the worse President we have even had.
5. OBAMA is an utter disgrace on the World stage. Our enemies are laughing at us and our friends are shocked. Two years can not come fast enough. Something needs to happen before two years. I don’t think we can take it or make it.
6. OBAMA I wish you no harm. Please do the best thing for the Country and step down. I know Joe Biden is a joke, but I think He loves our Country.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:00amWe need to cut the Dept of Education, NOW.
Report Post »Ohiowoman
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:07amYou are absolutely right that this is the course we need to take to get this country back on track.
Report Post »James
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:28amRonald Reagan was right; there is nothing wrong with American People, the problem is the federal government. I believe we should, reduce the following federal departments; EPA, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Commerce, (which needs a thorough and complete investigation of it activities), HUD and keep in place the essentials; Dept. of Defense, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid and all other federal dept.’t that are essential to our national security. Following that, we should stop being the policeman of the world, bring the troops home (I’m a vet) and let India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and all others take care of themselves as so determine. Finally drop the corporate tax rate down to 10%, which will stimulate new corporate growth and jobs for us. We have to beat China and there is no other way to do it. Simply put, stop buying their products and therefore underwriting China’s growth which is designed to bury us. It’s way past time for us to start taking care of our own. And, when will the politicians stop calling us the “middle class”, which is designed to make them the elites and pits Americans against Americans. Damn left or right politicians, anyway.
Report Post »TNT1
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:40amBoth sides are full of ****.They will not change their thieving ways.They will just keep playing ring around the rosey with what their saying,believe me they know exactly what their doing. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE be damned for all they care. You people actually think they don’t know how to use the media.It’s a rotten ** game their playing. GOD HELP AMERICA
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:42pmWhat seems to be left out of this conversation is these earmarks are paid by all of us. For example, when they want to build a bridge to nowhere this earmark money is not taken out of the coffers from that state it is taken out of the coffers from the Feds who get this from all of us. So, this is unfair to those states who have responsible Representatives who do not ask for earmarks.
Report Post »Nothing burns me more than hearing some idiot politician stating if he/ she is not re-elected then the people of that state will lose the seniority from this member being there so long which would make them getting these wonderful earmarks harder. Another one is how they love to minimize the costs of the earmarks saying they are a small portion of the total budget. It all adds up and with that mentality really makes you understand how we have got ourselves in such a fiscal mess. Most of these earmarks are never totally used for what they are promised and is an open door for corruption and greasing of the palms.
If your state or district needs something which is beyond the abilities of them paying for it then do it the right way as a bill and let it be debated on the merits along with some type of oversight to make sure the funds are used for what they were designated.
Time for these knot head politicians to quit being so loose with your and my money.