Just Wondering

[Linda]

Will the media and all of the people that voted for change give Obama a pass on this one or will he be held accountable?

WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama will break a campaign pledge against congressional earmarks and sign a budget bill laden with millions in lawmakers' pet projects, administration officials said.

Obama will sign spending bill despite earmarks

 

[scooterbug44]

I am certainly disappointed that he's signing it - but even more disappointed in those who keep adding earmarks!

Seriously, should I be madder at the President trying to change things and loudly voicing his displeasure or the damn politicians who keep pulling the same old crap?

 

[dgsevier]

I am certainly disappointed that he's signing it - but even more disappointed in those who keep adding earmarks!

Seriously, should I be madder at the President trying to change things and loudly voicing his displeasure or the damn politicians who keep pulling the same old crap?

You make a great point. Earmarks have to be put in by someone. It's tough to be mad at just one person.

 

[Linda]

I am certainly disappointed that he's signing it - but even more disappointed in those who keep adding earmarks!

Seriously, should I be madder at the President trying to change things and loudly voicing his displeasure or the damn politicians who keep pulling the same old crap?

I couldn't agree more. I am disappointed that 40% of those earmarks are from Republicans. I got a call last week from the RNC hitting me up for more money. I told the guy on the other end that I was not going to give any more money to them until our elected republicans started showing some fiscal responsibility. I can only hope that we all start holding those responsible for this mess accountable for their actions - both democrats and republicans.

 

[Bob]

the media is a little busy now instilling full blown panic

 

[BeachSiO2]

To say that the President will get rid of Congressional earmarks is impossible. He does not have the line item veto. Congress will continue to put less than 5% of discretionary appropriations into congressionally-directed projects. They will leave the other 95%+ of the discretionary appropriations dollars to be determined by the executive branch agencies. The earmarks made up 0.9% of the omnibus package (3.8 billion out of 410 billion).

The House republicans are currently deciding how they are going to move into the future and are debating whether or not they are going to put in earmarks in the FY 2010 budget. It is likely that some will and some won't. The chance of them standing together and all saying no is highly unlikely. the Dems won't even participate on the committee.

Keep in mind that it is VERY easy for a president to rally against earmarks because they tell the executive agencies what they can and cannot have (i.e. the other 95%+ of the budget). For some reason they aren't called earmarks, they are called " budget guidance" with OMB being the great arbiter of Executive Branch earmarking (I mean budgeting). This somehow gets lost in the discussion.

 

[30ashopper]

Great AP article - they all cave to congressional pork. Scratch one campaign promise, many more to go.

Obama beats early retreat on promise to fight pork

 

[Lake View Too]

It occured to me, finally, that all of Congress is very flawed, in that, mostly, each and every one of them will vote for "pork" that will insure their re-election . None of them will ever vote for "the better good" of the entire nation. The best concept would be that we have at least some weight in the re-election of all of them. No matter who I elect as senator of my state, someone like Barney Franks will have way too much influence on my financial situation for the rest of my days... how fouled up is that?

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Good point LVT. What politician is going to vote against bringing home the bacon when it will be used against them come election time.

Also, hiaku master, thanks for your educational post as well.

 

[Linda]

Good point LVT. What politician is going to vote against bringing home the bacon when it will be used against them come election time.

Also, hiaku master, thanks for your educational post as well.

John McCain