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Senators load spending bill with earmarks

Chappy

Chappy

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Don't confuse the tax compromise with this bill to fund the government through the end of the 2011 fiscal year. This puppy, the last of its kind, has 6,000 earmarks totaling $8 billion tucked in $1.2 trillion in spending.

Excerpted from “Senators load spending bill with earmarks” By Philip Rucker and Paul Kane, The Washington Post, Wednesday, December 15, 2010
[SIZE="+2"]W[/SIZE]eeks after swearing off earmarks, many senators stand to gain tens of millions of dollars for pet projects in a massive spending bill that could be their last chance at the money before a more conservative Congress begins next month. …
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Excerpted from “Senate Dems unveil $1.1T spending bill” By Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12/14/10 01:52 PM ET
[SIZE="+2"]T[/SIZE]he 1,924-page bill includes funding to implement the sweeping healthcare reform bill Congress passed earlier this year as well as additional funds for Internal Revenue Service agents, according to a senior GOP aide familiar with the legislation. …
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I've always thought it was weird how people focus on earmarks instead of what actually goes into the various departments. 8 Billion for earmarks is some giant waste, but the DOD spending twice that on a weapon system we'll never use doesn't get much attention.

Earmarks aren't always bad. Sometimes they're specific projects that are important and beneficial to the community.

Phase III Dredging, Miami Harbor - Construction, $5,000,000 Miami-Dade County, Florida Funds will be used to dredge the Miami Harbor federal channel so that the Port will be able to accommodate post panamax ships. The entrance channel will be widened to assure safety of ships negotiating the cross winds and currents at the existing channel's narrow opening. The Port of Miami is one of the nation's strongest economic engines, responsible for 176,000 jobs. By dredging to a depth of 50 feet, the Port of Miami will be able to double the amount of cargo it currently handles, making it competitive with nearby foreign ports such as Freeport, Bahamas, which is already at the critical 50 foot depth.
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ZOMG SOCIALISM GOVERNMENT WASTE FRAUDD.
 
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Deuce said:
… Earmarks aren't always bad. Sometimes they're specific projects that are important and beneficial to the community. …
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True. McCain's issue with earmarks has to do with their origin, without committee review, without notice.
 
This Bill makes me wonder about the current leadership in both the House and Senate. It may be a lame duck session, but why in the world would the leadership in the committees, House and Senate allow this to happen. IMO, it is pathetic.
 
We need a tax revolt in this country.


j-mac
 
mike2810 said:
This Bill makes me wonder about the current leadership in both the House and Senate. It may be a lame duck session, but why in the world would the leadership in the committees, House and Senate allow this to happen. IMO, it is pathetic.
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They're trying to get one last batch in before the changing of the guard.
 
Whovian said:
They're trying to get one last batch in before the changing of the guard.
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Hopefully voters will not forget. Pelosi and Reed have to go as well as anyone else who supports uncontrolled spending.
 
Which spending bill?
 
j-mac said:
We need a tax revolt in this country.


j-mac
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Most would revolt against other states, but see the pork in their state as needed. Remember, a state often benefits in some way from the pet projects.
 
Jetboogieman said:
Do you mean not paying your taxes?
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It would be a nice dream to believe that the entire country would do that in unison, but in reality I know that is just stupid. However, we as the tax payers have to turn the tide somehow.

j-mac
 
Boo Radley said:
Most would revolt against other states, but see the pork in their state as needed. Remember, a state often benefits in some way from the pet projects.
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Oh, I realize this, but IMO, too much power now rests with the IRS, and the Federal government. They have forgotten where their power resides.

j-mac
 
j-mac said:
It would be a nice dream to believe that the entire country would do that in unison, but in reality I know that is just stupid. However, we as the tax payers have to turn the tide somehow.

j-mac
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I think it's kind of a novel idea... but a subjective one at that. If people didn't wanna pay taxes to protest the Iraq war I'm sure you'd feel a little different... again its opinion here.

If America decided tommorow not to pay federal income tax... I'm pretty sure the world economy would tank in about 5 minutes, be amazing to watch.
 
j-mac said:
Oh, I realize this, but IMO, too much power now rests with the IRS, and the Federal government. They have forgotten where their power resides.

j-mac
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Not sure that is true. You support tax dollars being spent on some things, others on other things. Decisions are by representatives who have to think not only about you, but those who disagree with you. In the end, all of us having something funded we wouldn't choose. Not convinced that equals too much power in the hand of the IRS and the Federal government, or that they don't know who they serve or where their power resides. That's why I pointed to the exit polling earlie with you. I'd hate to be a representative trying to make sense of such a split.
 
1.2 trillion? Come on, raise that bitch to 50 trillion for great justice. If you want to act like a bunch of irresponsible morons, just please get it over with already.
 
Boo Radley said:
Do you believe republicans don't have pet projects? Pork? earmarks?
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Since the bill was put together a while back, I'm sure they do. However they pledged no more for a while at least. I pity any of them who vote yes.
 
Jetboogieman said:
I think it's kind of a novel idea... but a subjective one at that. If people didn't wanna pay taxes to protest the Iraq war I'm sure you'd feel a little different... again its opinion here.

If America decided tommorow not to pay federal income tax... I'm pretty sure the world economy would tank in about 5 minutes, be amazing to watch.
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You're probably right in that there are things within the budget that I do want funded with my dollars, and to Boo's point that there are things that I don't, and that I elect reps on the basis that they support my ideals. But, even if this were to happen for say one day, everybody sends in their taxes on April 16th instead of the 15th, pay the penalty then in unified voice send the message to knock off the elitist crap! Maybe they would hear.....The phrase I like in this instance is "When the people fear the government you have tyranny, when the government fears the people, you have freedom"....


j-mac
 
Barbbtx said:
Since the bill was put together a while back, I'm sure they do. However they pledged no more for a while at least. I pity any of them who vote yes.
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It won't hurt them at all. You see, over all there will be criticism, but as their states benefit, they will still likely win their reelection because of the pork and not despite them.
 
Boo Radley said:
It won't hurt them at all. You see, over all there will be criticism, but as their states benefit, they will still likely win their reelection because of the pork and not despite them.
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Yep, and one of the problems with the down fall of Rome was that the people realized that they could vote themselves wealth from the treasury. When that happens, game over.


j-mac
 
Deuce said:
I've always thought it was weird how people focus on earmarks instead of what actually goes into the various departments. 8 Billion for earmarks is some giant waste, but the DOD spending twice that on a weapon system we'll never use doesn't get much attention.

Earmarks aren't always bad. Sometimes they're specific projects that are important and beneficial to the community.



ZOMG SOCIALISM GOVERNMENT WASTE FRAUDD.
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When they raise everyone's taxes to cover the cost of all these fat-porky bills you won't be laughing.
 
j-mac said:
Yep, and one of the problems with the down fall of Rome was that the people realized that they could vote themselves wealth from the treasury. When that happens, game over.


j-mac
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That's why laws are important. ;)
 
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