40% of Earmarks in Stimulus Plan are Sponsored by Republicans

[WA_Vol]

In all, an estimated $3.8 billion worth of specific projects, called "earmarks," are in the $410 billion spending bill that the House of Representatives is to vote on Wednesday.

House Democrats estimate that Republicans inserted 40 percent of the earmarks in the bill. An independent budget watchdog group, Taxpayers for Common Sense, said the 60-40 Democratic-Republican ratio followed historical patterns.

"It does have 9,000 earmarks in it. And (that's) just another example of how Washington is really good at wasting people's money," House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said.

One prominent Republican critic, however, wouldn't relent. When he was asked what Obama should do with a bill full of earmarks, Sen. John McCain of Arizona said flatly: "I would call on him to veto it."

GOP hates earmarks _ except the ones its members sponsor

 

[BigPapaVol]

Did you read how they came to that 40%. An estimate from dems and a historical assessment from some "bipartisans" doesn't qualify as worthy of reading about.
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[rjd970]

I would love for Obama to break out the veto pen on this one, but I'm not holding my breath.

Speaking of which, I don't get it. Did we just pass a huge stimulus bill full of spending anyway? What is this new business?

 

[BigPapaVol]

I would love for Obama to break out the veto pen on this one, but I'm not holding my breath.

Speaking of which, I don't get it. Did we just pass a huge stimulus bill full of spending anyway? What is this new business?

I'm with you. I think this is just old news.
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[allvol123]

We need to backup...I thought Obama has started the era of financial responsibility?

 

[BigPapaVol]

We need to backup...I thought Obama has started the era of financial responsibility?

He has. The gov't will soon be responsible for the majority of it.
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[allvol123]

He has. The gov't will soon be responsible for the majority of it.
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Instant Rimshot

Credit to TennNC.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

Screw them into the ground!

 

[dcgf05]

I would love for Obama to break out the veto pen on this one, but I'm not holding my breath.

Speaking of which, I don't get it. Did we just pass a huge stimulus bill full of spending anyway? What is this new business?

as if porkulus wasn't enough spending I suppose we need at least a half dozen more pork filled spending bills to quench the thirst for socialist bliss.

Welcome to the USSA.

 

[volinbham]

GOP hates earmarks _ except the ones its members sponsor

This omnibus spending bill is a bloated POS but it is not the stimulus bill. This is spending that is a hold over from last year.

Doesn't excuse the Republican earmarks but the thread title is wrong.

 

[WA_Vol]

Yeah I need to change it to U.S. Budget instead of Stimulus Plan, my bad.

 

[volinbham]

It's basically carry over and it's bloated all to hell. BO introduced his budget today - it's a freakin' monster. We are pushing 2 trillion in deficits! Unbelievable.

Why this guy thinks he needs to transform every aspect of the economy in 4 years is beyond me. All because of a recession. Yikes!

 

[WA_Vol]

Did you read how they came to that 40%. An estimate from dems and a historical assessment from some "bipartisans" doesn't qualify as worthy of reading about.
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This story is in multiple sources.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

The pet projects remain popular with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; about 40 percent of the earmarks in the omnibus were sought by Republicans.

The projects, listed on more than 750 pages, include $2 million to promote astronomy in Hawaii, $1.8 million for swine odor and manure management research in Iowa and $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.

The plan would provide $400,000 to combat bullying at schools in Montana, $2.2 million for the Center for Grape Genetics in Geneva, New York, and $381,000 for music programs at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

 

[volinbham]

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

, New York, and $381,000 for music programs at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

This less than a week after the Fiscal Responsibility Conference! We are screwed.

BO says we all have sacrifice. Man up and veto this sucker until it's bare bones.

 

[BigPapaVol]

This story is in multiple sources.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

I saw it later. You mixed stimulus with this latest omnibus trash.
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[OrangeYankee]

This is why Washington needs a giant reset button. The Republicans have become just as bad as the Democrats. There hasn't been even a hint of fiscal responsibility in Washington for years, and we all just keep sending the same morons in.

 

[WA_Vol]

This is why Washington needs a giant reset button. The Republicans have become just as bad as the Democrats. There hasn't been even a hint of fiscal responsibility in Washington for years, and we all just keep sending the same morons in.

I agree 100%, this problem is across both party lines.

 

[KB5252]

If we don't reel them in now it will only get worse. If Obama would stand up and veto it until earmarks were gone he would earn quite a bit of respect from me.

 

[Pepe_Silvia]

Just when I was beginning to have faith in the Republican Party again, they go and do this. :no:

 

[volinbham]

Ironically, the earmarks (all 9000 or so of them) are not the real problem with this bill. It grows spending on many programs at 2x or more the rate of inflation. There is zero semblance of fiscal responsibility here by either side. Why would there be? The check book is open.

 

[BigPapaVol]

Ironically, the earmarks (all 9000 or so of them) are not the real problem with this bill. It grows spending on many programs at 2x or more the rate of inflation. There is zero semblance of fiscal responsibility here by either side. Why would there be? The check book is open.

the DC rhetoric of late has laid the check book as wide open as FDR's was.

Sadly, it brings out the absolute worst in the clowns we continually elect to make laws for this country.

 

[vols4sure]

the DC rhetoric of late has laid the check book as wide open as FDR's was.

Sadly, it brings out the absolute worst in the clowns we continually elect to make laws for this country.

If only there was a political malpractice doctrine or something to hold them somewhat accountable. Say not having time to read a $168 billion and still voting for it = political malpractice.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

The government saves money by saying it will spend $1B and then only spending $0.8B. Gotta love that math.

 

[volinbham]

If only there was a political malpractice doctrine or something to hold them somewhat accountable. Say not having time to read a $168 billion and still voting for it = political malpractice.

The irony is the furor among these clowns to punish Wall Street and banking executives for mis-management.
:crazy:

 

[droski]

if obama is giving 40% of the earmarks despite getting almost zero republican votes he is not a very bright man.