Congressional earmarks are a way for congress to usurp the power of the states to self-direct. One of the most effective ways Americans have to restore some integrity to congress is to eliminate earmark spending.
Basically what is happening currently is:
- Congress taxes Americans at a much higher rate than is necessary
- Congress gives some of our tax dollars back to the states
- Congress tells the states how to spend the money
- Political action groups and lobbyist (pay, donate, gift…) congressional representatives then demand federal tax money is spent on their special projects
Don’t you think it would be better if we got to keep more of our hard earned money? And, if we need something at a state level, don’t you think you could better decide how to provide for it on a local level?
Earmarks provide a way for special groups to get the EAR of the (often corrupt) officials who write our government’s checks.
It is amazing to me that congress can be so specific in telling a state how to spend tax dollars, or a public school what to teach but, they can’t be specific in telling private corporations (especially Wall Street and international banks) how to spend hundreds of billions of our tax dollars.
Who are the fools who elected these guys anyway?… Sadly, it is us!
