Friday, March 17, 2006
The House Of Representatives In D.C., Hopelessly Corrupt
Now here is the problem
John Campbell (R., Calif) has said that he has gotten 63 requests for him to add earmarks into bills in the House so far this legislative session. (Earmarks are spending appropriations added to bills that are unconnected with the spending requests being added. Earmarks are not reviewable by Congress and when added to a bill, it is not necessarily obvious that it is there, nor can Congressmen who has added an earmark be revealed or debated.)
In an appearance on the Hugh Hewitt radio show (March 16th), Mr. Campbell said that the totals of these earmarks would number in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Campbell didn't mention if he actually acceded to any of the requests, interestingly enough, but he did tell the story as if he did not do so.
OK, well he is a Congressman, after all. So, this shouldn't be too surprising, you might say. But here is the thing. Campbell only took his seat in Congress last December, less than 4 months ago, as a result of a December special election to replace Representative Chris Cox who resigned to become Chairman of the SEC.
Now, if Campbell, currently the most junior member of the House of Reps (as Hewitt teasingly notes), can be hit up for so many earmarks in so short an amount of time, how many such requests does the average Congressman get on a yearly basis?
The number must stagger the mind.
And, if these politicians are so continually confronted with such requests and the greasing of palms that accompanies them, shouldn't we expect many of these politicians to eventually break down and slip such spending secretly into bills more and more as their career rolls on?
Human nature would say a resounding YES to be the answer to that query.
And this is the problem. The earmarking tradition is conducive to one thing and one thing only; a wild, continuing growth in Federal spending.
We need to stop earmarking NOW.
-Warner Todd Huston
# posted by Publius @ 3/17/2006 10:28:00 PM 
Comments:
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Do us one better Mr.Huston...Give us a solution...
While you think of one, heres my choice..
FRIST/RICE 2008
for ever Criticism against any of them, they can be labeled as people that learn from experiance and identify with the 'exchange' at hand.
The Time is now to choose sides,rather than later. I have read your post for the last year and have come to respect your sholarship upon your subject matter..
The time is upon us once again...the Autumn of our present leader is at hand...
This administration was shot in the leg at its inception, as we now realize,and has turned a historic assualt upon our Land into a viral spread of freedom across the desolate and empty lands that must not cease...
You are indeed a warrior Mr.Huston...and those of us that matter are taking notice...
Now is the time to take sides...Mr.Huston...Let you begin the vetting process now of our Grand party...
I see no others grabbing the flag...its as if our side is feeling it has won, before we have won.
It is my belief, as a proud Republican, that Condolleeza Rice should become our next Vice Presidential Candidate, alongside Bill Frist.
I don't particularly care for Mr.Frist personally, but the simple fact that Ms.Rice on the ticket will result in no less than 20% of the black vote and will assure that any GOP ticket she runs on will win, makes me feel Mr.Frist is the best Domestic Leader Americans can elect at this time.
Ms.Rice should serve as Vice PResident, and operate the Foreign Relations/Kicking the shit out of Iran Dept.
I trully think that your forum could serve as a viable means to begin affecting the vetting of our chosen candidates..
I would hope that you could appraoch something of this order...because I beleive it would serve our parties best intentions to serve and protect all members of all societies that prefer freedom over fear.
While you think of one, heres my choice..
FRIST/RICE 2008
for ever Criticism against any of them, they can be labeled as people that learn from experiance and identify with the 'exchange' at hand.
The Time is now to choose sides,rather than later. I have read your post for the last year and have come to respect your sholarship upon your subject matter..
The time is upon us once again...the Autumn of our present leader is at hand...
This administration was shot in the leg at its inception, as we now realize,and has turned a historic assualt upon our Land into a viral spread of freedom across the desolate and empty lands that must not cease...
You are indeed a warrior Mr.Huston...and those of us that matter are taking notice...
Now is the time to take sides...Mr.Huston...Let you begin the vetting process now of our Grand party...
I see no others grabbing the flag...its as if our side is feeling it has won, before we have won.
It is my belief, as a proud Republican, that Condolleeza Rice should become our next Vice Presidential Candidate, alongside Bill Frist.
I don't particularly care for Mr.Frist personally, but the simple fact that Ms.Rice on the ticket will result in no less than 20% of the black vote and will assure that any GOP ticket she runs on will win, makes me feel Mr.Frist is the best Domestic Leader Americans can elect at this time.
Ms.Rice should serve as Vice PResident, and operate the Foreign Relations/Kicking the shit out of Iran Dept.
I trully think that your forum could serve as a viable means to begin affecting the vetting of our chosen candidates..
I would hope that you could appraoch something of this order...because I beleive it would serve our parties best intentions to serve and protect all members of all societies that prefer freedom over fear.
# posted by 
: 3/17/2006 11:23:00 PM
: 3/17/2006 11:23:00 PM
Frist and rice, eh?
I agree with not being a fan of Frist. And I HEARTILY endorse a Rice for VP!!!
I would tend to want George Allen instead of Frist, though. the presidency is for big ideas and I do not think Frist has them. I cannot escape the feeling that he would be too wonkish and would end up a caretaker president.
Still, we have a major problem with either one. They are both Senators and Senators almost NEVER become president, though many have tried. I think it has something to do with American's feeling that a Senator is already IN Washington and they don't need a kick upstairs because of it. (I think we only had three men become president who were senators as they ran for the Prez. Most were long out of the position before running or becoming prez.)
Usually a Governor is the better choice because a gov. has executive experience, yet can still act the part of the outsider from Washington DC. that leaves us with Mitt Romney, or even JEB Bush.
But, I think your feeling that Condi would actually draw to the ticket is spot on. She is one of the few besides Teddy Roosevelt who actually draws votes to the ticket.
Now, if you were swayed by Frist because of that straw poll, you should be reminded that the poll was taken in his home state (Tenn) and that the bulk of the audience at that conference were Tennesseans. So it shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Add to that the fact that it is still way too far out from 2008 to begin putting money on the horse when only one or two even left the barn for the starting gate as of yet. And, also that we cannot lose sight of the 2006 midterms. We have to keep our eye on that ball before we dream about 2008!
A HUGE thing we need to keep our eyes on for the Big Tent GOP is the Hispanic vote, too. It is vital that we keep the high Hispanic support that we currently have in the GOP. And that makes immigration issues sticky!
By the way, I really appreciate the compliment about my little efforts on the blog. Tell everyone you know. Our traffic is really growing, but the more the merrier!
I agree with not being a fan of Frist. And I HEARTILY endorse a Rice for VP!!!
I would tend to want George Allen instead of Frist, though. the presidency is for big ideas and I do not think Frist has them. I cannot escape the feeling that he would be too wonkish and would end up a caretaker president.
Still, we have a major problem with either one. They are both Senators and Senators almost NEVER become president, though many have tried. I think it has something to do with American's feeling that a Senator is already IN Washington and they don't need a kick upstairs because of it. (I think we only had three men become president who were senators as they ran for the Prez. Most were long out of the position before running or becoming prez.)
Usually a Governor is the better choice because a gov. has executive experience, yet can still act the part of the outsider from Washington DC. that leaves us with Mitt Romney, or even JEB Bush.
But, I think your feeling that Condi would actually draw to the ticket is spot on. She is one of the few besides Teddy Roosevelt who actually draws votes to the ticket.
Now, if you were swayed by Frist because of that straw poll, you should be reminded that the poll was taken in his home state (Tenn) and that the bulk of the audience at that conference were Tennesseans. So it shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Add to that the fact that it is still way too far out from 2008 to begin putting money on the horse when only one or two even left the barn for the starting gate as of yet. And, also that we cannot lose sight of the 2006 midterms. We have to keep our eye on that ball before we dream about 2008!
A HUGE thing we need to keep our eyes on for the Big Tent GOP is the Hispanic vote, too. It is vital that we keep the high Hispanic support that we currently have in the GOP. And that makes immigration issues sticky!
By the way, I really appreciate the compliment about my little efforts on the blog. Tell everyone you know. Our traffic is really growing, but the more the merrier!
# posted by : 3/18/2006 12:01:00 AM
: 3/18/2006 12:01:00 AM
I appreciate that you would endorse Ms.Rice..but I am taking this much more seriously.
I would hope that you would Post her resume on your site..take that leap..go all in..
If our party cannot respect what she has accomplished,and what work she has undertaken for the greater good, then I'm lost....Who else had worked as hard as she has?Who else besides Condi places her neck on the block day in and day out?
I feel as if I may be but one of a few that endorse her so aggresively,but I've never felt his strongly about a fellow American before.
It is my intention to make it clear to my fellow Republicans that the Era of Condolleeza Rice is at hand...We should try to grab hold of this oppurtunity to elevate her to the Presidency.
Condolleeza Rice as VP and then Ultimatley POTUS.
I am a 38 yr old German/Irish American that lives in Atlanta, and has been raised in Arab-Town(Bahrain,Saudi,Dubai and finaly IRan)and I do not consider myself easilly lead and rarely fooled and I can tell you true my friend...I feel nothing but good about this woman.
I will even posit this thoery...I believe that this next election will be the first that will be determined BECAUSE of the Vice Presidential Choice,because of the environment that currently exist within the corridors of power.
I honestly think that the good fight to be won by men such as ourselves for the future of America lies within the choosing of Condolleeza Rice as VP for Frist,Allen or anyone else we can 'pretend' will make a differance.
I hope to win you over in this fight Mr.Huston,because I think you can help make this happen.
Lets begin vetting our players now..lets consider and try to surmise the tactics and strategies that will soon meet us squarely upon the battle-field.
Lets do this for real...nothing else matters.
The days ahead will be heady indeed.
Post a Comment
I would hope that you would Post her resume on your site..take that leap..go all in..
If our party cannot respect what she has accomplished,and what work she has undertaken for the greater good, then I'm lost....Who else had worked as hard as she has?Who else besides Condi places her neck on the block day in and day out?
I feel as if I may be but one of a few that endorse her so aggresively,but I've never felt his strongly about a fellow American before.
It is my intention to make it clear to my fellow Republicans that the Era of Condolleeza Rice is at hand...We should try to grab hold of this oppurtunity to elevate her to the Presidency.
Condolleeza Rice as VP and then Ultimatley POTUS.
I am a 38 yr old German/Irish American that lives in Atlanta, and has been raised in Arab-Town(Bahrain,Saudi,Dubai and finaly IRan)and I do not consider myself easilly lead and rarely fooled and I can tell you true my friend...I feel nothing but good about this woman.
I will even posit this thoery...I believe that this next election will be the first that will be determined BECAUSE of the Vice Presidential Choice,because of the environment that currently exist within the corridors of power.
I honestly think that the good fight to be won by men such as ourselves for the future of America lies within the choosing of Condolleeza Rice as VP for Frist,Allen or anyone else we can 'pretend' will make a differance.
I hope to win you over in this fight Mr.Huston,because I think you can help make this happen.
Lets begin vetting our players now..lets consider and try to surmise the tactics and strategies that will soon meet us squarely upon the battle-field.
Lets do this for real...nothing else matters.
The days ahead will be heady indeed.
# posted by : 3/18/2006 02:34:00 AM
: 3/18/2006 02:34:00 AM << Home
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