What!!! Another Earmark?????

Earmarks pose more than one problem. We focus on the cost problem, described below. That certainly is a major trouble. But there is also a credibility in our government problem (They talk about fiscal responsibility and a desire to enact meaningful legislation.) and a concern as to the validity of legislation that is passed. (Would it be passed without an attached earmark?)

In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. This means in 2008, 1 ½ million families could have saved over $10,000 each in taxes. This would be meaningful tax relief for the middle class. A Billion here and a Billion there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. Remember for every Billion Dollars the government spends, 100,000 families must sacrifice $10,000 of their hard earned money. Don’t let them fool you by saying “It’s a small amount compared to the total budget”. If it’s a small amount, DON’T SPEND IT!!!! Small amounts add up to big problems. (Just take a look at your next credit card bill. Look at each small charge, then look at the large amount owed, at the bottom of the bill.)

Without discussing the merits of the recently passed Healthcare Legislation, it serves as an example of the problems with earmarks. Would it have been passed without a couple of Senators getting preferential treatment for their states? If not, it should not have been passed. What is the true financial cost of these earmarks? In some cases we don’t know. In order not to single out one state with preferential Medicare cost reimbursement, all states will now receive the benefit. What is the cost? We don’t know. A southern state received approx. $300,000,000 to get a favourable vote. 100,000 families will have to pay $3,000 each to fund that one. Show me the 100,000 families that would have willingly paid $3,000 to pass the bill. The list is longer, but these show the problem.

How are we supposed to believe in the credibility of our legislators when they need to give or to receive special favours in order to vote on a proposed bill? How can we feel good about legislation that might not be passed without a special financial arrangements attached?

Earmarks are a “Poster Child” for what is wrong with Washington. Eliminate Earmarks. If the “Earmark Item” has validity, vote on it separately.

Read Excerpts on Amazon:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289922247&sr=1-1