2009.11.04
Earmark reform panel doing little except requesting earmarks
Politico has an interesting story today on an earmark reform panel created by the Republicans almost a year ago (Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor played a role). The committee was supposed to issue a report with ideas about to effect “meaningful change to the process by which Washington spends taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”
Since then, the committee has done nothing - literally - except request earmarks. No meetings. No report. Nothing.
The chairwoman of the committee, Cathy McMorris of Washington, has requested $129 million in earmarks this year. Rep. Doc Hastings, also of Washington, even requested earmarks to benefit a big campaign donor. In all, eight of the committee's 10 members have requested earmarks.
Politico quotes a statement by Cantor when the committee was created: "“It’s now or never to start making Washington work again for the hardworking American families, and this commission is a step forward into the right direction.”
Just not a very big step.
RSS feed 
And this is surprising in what way? This is about Washington D.C., Land of "Do as I say,not as I do", and "Pay no attention to that man behind the Curtain".
When Politicians stop acting like politicians (politician must be the latin word for Bloodsucking Leech)THAT would be news.
Comment by joe Mostowey — November 4, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Wow,
Didnt Obama say that if any earmarks cross his desk he was going
to veto the bill.
He holds the highest position in govt and the first thing he
did was to break that promise on the first bill that came thru.
Just ask Murdering Murtha about his airport.
Tell the whole story RTEB, that why your endorsments mean nothing.
The American people are sick of half truths and mudd slinging.
Comment by HERB KREBS — November 4, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
Congratulations RTEB!
You are doing your best to try to make the republicans look bad on their day. How about 0Bama's pledge to not have any lobbyists under his employ? Or the transparancy of govt. under him? How id that working out?
Go down kicking!
Comment by Bob H — November 4, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
0bama's secretary of defense can't get a meeting with him. Do you think real reformers are going to get the time of day? 0bama is too busy watching HBO documentaries of himself.
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
#4 You really must have a inside scoop but I think you are once again listen to and repeating what fixed news is telling you. That is what they want and it is working.
Oh if you did not get it, I am not a atheist.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
Bill,
0bama's visitors list has been released...against his wishes I'm sure. We know a portion of who he has met with and who he hasn't. I say "portion" because he's a liar.
------
On topic, I think BOTH parties too quickly think that because "They Won" that they can enact all of their pet projects and laws, etc. They actually believe they have a mandate. Which isnt so, on both sides.
Right now, and last Novemeber...people are sick and tired of the people in DC spending us into oblivion. It doesnt matter which party is in power. The party in power will PAY the piper (say that 3 times real fast).
This will again be the case next November as well, unless 0bama performs a miracle and gives up his STATIST goals. Otherwise, the GOP, being the party out of power will win BIG.
Comment by T Witten — November 5, 2009 @ 10:26 am
#6 The way I see it your GOP is pushing way too far to the right. The far right wingers are sewing the seeds of the GOP downfall in 20010.
I still think they should have Palin run (she would love it) for President and then you will have given the another 4 more years to clean up the mess.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 5, 2009 @ 10:45 am
McDonnell is a "far right" conservative in YOUR view. He STOMPED the guts out of Deeds.
As I said before, anytime one party wins BIG, they think it means everyone agrees with everything they have planned. It isnt so...on BOTH sides.
I just want a conservative PRINCIPLED leader, not an activist.
I wouldnt mind a moderately liberal PRINCIPLED leader, especially compared to the ACTIVIST we have in office now.
Sometimes you have to bend and work with others who disagree with you.
Comment by T Witten — November 5, 2009 @ 11:03 am
#8 To bend would be good but the way the GOP it is acing like the party of NO to everything. And yes McDonnell is far right. Look at what he says and where he went to school, just look at the root.It is the another nut case Pat Robertson's university. So yes, that is far right.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 5, 2009 @ 11:54 am
This is a great piece below. I believe it explains Bill and all the other leftists here.
"REPUBLICANS are receiving a lot of free advice from liberals, who say three things:
Your party is too extreme, your party is too extreme and your party is too extreme.
Democrats want people to see Republicans as extremists who oppose gay marriage and abortion. Really?
Embracing gay marriage would push Republicans to the left of President Obama, California and now, Maine. All three have rejected gay marriage.
As for abortion, Gallup polls repeatedly show that three-quarters of Americans want at least some restrictions placed on abortion."
http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/DonSurber/200911041102
Comment by T Witten — November 5, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
#10 From your own party,"Either "you're with us or you’re against us.”-Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, - speaking of dealing with her own party.
"I don't want to be a member of the Club for Growth-Sen. Lindsay Graham
But most Americans want government out of their lives and want a women to make up her own mind and not the government.But the far right wing has had their day in the sun and this county has tried all that and it did not turn out too well.
But it would surprise you that there are gay GOP folks. But that is a base you might lose.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 5, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
@7 Wouldn't it be great if Palin ran? Obama would be a lock for a second term.
Comment by gdad — November 5, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
T Whitten, McDonnell IS far right. He ran as something of a moderate because he knew he'd lose if he ran onj his true beliefs. IOW, he lied to get elected.
Comment by gdad — November 5, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
11
None of that backs up your previous comment that I quoted.
The GOP, "the party of NO", has offered alternatives individually. Theyve been shut out of the process.
They have NO power to stop ANYTHING the Dems do.
Your team just can't shoot free throws.
Nobody is stopping the Dems but THEMSELVES.
So, what are you angry with the GOP for?
Do you want them to offer more advice? Is that it?
Comment by T Witten — November 5, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
$14 They do not only do not take advise they want all their way or none of it and its going to cause problems for the GOP in the long run. Now because of the elections they are on the hunt to purify their own party and turn it more right wing. But like incumbent Republican Sen. Robert Bennett in Utah. Bennett's being opposed in the GOP primary by a conservative activist who has Joseph Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, campaigning for her. Remember him? So it's no big secrete here your party is going extremely to the right.
How about that nut Bachman? Why is it when I see her face I hear the music from the Twilight Zone?
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 5, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
@14
Over 150 Republican amendments were added to the Senate health reform bill, the claim of "shut out" is bogus. Joe Lieberman does not a majority make.
http://www.slate.com/id/2223023/
Comment by Art Hill — November 5, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
Who is stopping the Dems from passing this bill?
Comment by T Witten — November 6, 2009 @ 10:48 am
1. TWitten: "As for abortion, Gallup polls repeatedly show that three-quarters of Americans want at least some restrictions placed on abortion." True, and a vast majority of Americans want abortion to be legal. My uterus is NOYB.
Comment by Liberty — November 14, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
One Congressman's earmark is another's representing the best interests of his constituents.
Comment by Liberty — November 14, 2009 @ 10:50 pm