Greedo 13 Posted March 5, 2009 According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, the following are the 5 most prolific earmark users: Thad Cochran - R-MS Christopher - R-MO Lisa Murkowski - R-AK Mary Landrieu - D-LA Robert Byrd - D-WV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 6,149 Posted March 5, 2009 So? Did they promise no earmarks when they were campaigning for office? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,113 Posted March 5, 2009 Kill em all Every last one of them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GettnHuge 2 Posted March 5, 2009 had yer chance to vote someone in who would delight in vetoing all of this shat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,799 Posted March 5, 2009 Well, the last two don't surprise me. Honestly, I'd love to have the President just start calling these guys out. Just walk up the Capitol next time there's a bill to be passed and start reading off shiit out loud. "Okay, who's got the $38 Million to erect a Monument to Dill Pickles?" Come on, hands up. Who's is it? " "Okay, you Senator WhackAMole. YOU want this? YOU think this is good for the American People? " "Anybody else agree with him? Come on people! We're on TV right now! " "Anybody? Nobody?" "Nope. Sorry Senator. It's out." Senator WhackAMole. Are you telling me and the American People that you're not going to pass the defense budget because you didn't get a $38 Million dollar monument to Pickles?" "What's that?" "Right - DILL Pickles - whatever - is THAT what you're saying Senator? Yes or No. That's the only anwer here." "I didn't think so. Thanks for your support. You're be recognized by me personally next time you run for reelection as being against Pork - I don't care if you're a Republican, I'm wildly popular - I can help you win. - You help America, I'll help you." "Alright. What's the next piece of pork? On to that..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 6,149 Posted March 5, 2009 had yer chance to vote someone in who would delight in vetoing all of this shat NADER in 2012. I'm with you Brotha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745 Posted March 5, 2009 I think there should be an independent office that all they do is appear on TV weekly and call officials out for stuff. And by law, the impugned official is required to appear and give answer. Now that would be some reality tv I'd watch. I would love to run that office. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,113 Posted March 5, 2009 Well, the last two don't surprise me. Honestly, I'd love to have the President just start calling these guys out. Just walk up the Capitol next time there's a bill to be passed and start reading off shiit out loud. "Okay, who's got the $38 Million to erect a Monument to Dill Pickles?" Come on, hands up. Who's is it? " "Okay, you Senator WhackAMole. YOU want this? YOU think this is good for the American People? " "Anybody else agree with him? Come on people! We're on TV right now! " "Anybody? Nobody?" "Nope. Sorry Senator. It's out." Senator WhackAMole. Are you telling me and the American People that you're not going to pass the defense budget because you didn't get a $38 Million dollar monument to Pickles?" "What's that?" "Right - DILL Pickles - whatever - is THAT what you're saying Senator? Yes or No. That's the only anwer here." "I didn't think so. Thanks for your support. You're be recognized by me personally next time you run for reelection as being against Pork - I don't care if you're a Republican, I'm wildly popular - I can help you win. - You help America, I'll help you." "Alright. What's the next piece of pork? On to that..." Line item veto That way we can really say the buck stops with the President. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greedo 13 Posted March 5, 2009 It used to be private, but once the dems took over in 2006, they required all earmarks to have a public sponsor. So all the earmarks in this omnibus spending bill are public. 60% are dems, 40% repubs, which is about typical - the majority party is supposedly 60% typically. A lot of people here gripe about the 2% of spending that's earmarks - those top 5 surprised me, other than Byrd. What we should probably do is focus on changing the structure of how things are funded (ie. the other 98%), which is what Obama's submitted budget seeks to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,799 Posted March 5, 2009 Line item veto That way we can really say the buck stops with the President. Absa-focking LUTELY. It'd be nice to see the people just rally around this ONE focking issue. Anybody who opposes the President? No votes - either party. Once he has it, he's completely accountable for the focking pork. No more excuses. Why this hasn't passed is beyond me. Then again, a lot of things are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 6,149 Posted March 5, 2009 A lot of people here gripe about the 2% of spending that's earmarks - those top 5 surprised me, other than Byrd. Don't forget that one of the biggest earmarkers of the last few years is no longer in Congress - He's not our President. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,799 Posted March 5, 2009 It used to be private, but once the dems took over in 2006, they required all earmarks to have a public sponsor. So all the earmarks in this omnibus spending bill are public. 60% are dems, 40% repubs, which is about typical - the majority party is supposedly 60% typically. A lot of people here gripe about the 2% of spending that's earmarks - those top 5 surprised me, other than Byrd. Interesting. I didn't know any of this. 2% aint bad. I mean, it's still a lot of money, but the way people are squawking, I thought it was a lot worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,799 Posted March 5, 2009 Don't forget that one of the biggest earmarkers of the last few years is no longer in Congress - He's not our President. He's not? Then who? :shrug: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greedo 13 Posted March 5, 2009 Line item veto That way we can really say the buck stops with the President. Congress insists that's unconstitutional, but most states have it, so maybe in this economic environment a Constitutional amendment could be passed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posty 2,870 Posted March 5, 2009 According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, the following are the 5 most prolific earmark users: Thad Cochran - R-MS Christopher - R-MO Lisa Murkowski - R-AK Mary Landrieu - D-LA Robert Byrd - D-WV So what sorting technique did you use to arrive at this order in their Excel spreadsheet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FranksTanks 0 Posted March 5, 2009 Ron Paul requested $96 million.... eta: in the latest spending bill.. that he was against. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,113 Posted March 5, 2009 Ron Paul requested $96 million.... eta: in the latest spending bill.. that he was against. BLS, you've got some splainin to do Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 6,149 Posted March 5, 2009 He's not? Then who? :shrug: now. Excuse me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,175 Posted March 5, 2009 I am still trying to figure out which part is supposed to be surprising. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,799 Posted March 5, 2009 now. Excuse me. Now excuse you for what? did you fart? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greedo 13 Posted March 5, 2009 They are the top 5 in no order posty - gross #s. Cochran is #1 at $837 million, I think Byrd was #2 at $407 million. As for surprising, KSB, whining about earmarks and porkis something that, typically, the right does against those "tax and spend" liberals. When 3 of the top 5 have an R by their name, that surprises me. BTW - missed Christopher (Kit) Bond's last name in the original post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,175 Posted March 5, 2009 whining about earmarks and porkis something that, typically, the right does against those "tax and spend" liberals. When 3 of the top 5 have an R by their name, that surprises me. Gotcha Was this list the top Earmark users in 2007, 2008, or here in 2009? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bushy 0 Posted March 5, 2009 They are the top 5 in no order posty - gross #s. Cochran is #1 at $837 million, I think Byrd was #2 at $407 million. As for surprising, KSB, whining about earmarks and porkis something that, typically, the right does against those "tax and spend" liberals. When 3 of the top 5 have an R by their name, that surprises me. BTW - missed Christopher (Kit) Bond's last name in the original post. Not surprising at all. Just because someone is a Republican does not make them a fiscal conservative, although almost all fiscal conservatives are Republicans. Folks like McCain, DeMint, Coburn, Pence, Shadegg, and Flake are the leading guys against earmarks and they're all Republicans. There are plenty of R's that are more than willing to slurp at the government trough. And to me, the percent of the budget (2%) for earmarks is not important. It's the fact that taxpayer money is being wasted. Our president and congress should do everything in their power to stop wasteful spending on earmarks, however small that amount may be. However, they won't because it's a way to kick back to their friends and constituents. That's the Chicago way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,175 Posted March 5, 2009 http://www.taxpayer.net/user_uploads/file/...marks%20v.2.xls First published March 2, 2009 Here’s the database you all have been waiting for - the FY 2009 Omnibus with 8,570 earmarks worth $7.7 billion. Since the Senate started debate on the bill today, we tabulated the Senate recipients of earmarks – from top to bottom. So you’ll find the Mississippi delegation at the head of the pack followed by the Louisiana delegation hot on their heels. This is version one, it is accurate, but we will add more detail, house member totals and track down the states of many of the earmarks (we have to do a little digging in some cases where they are not described). So check back frequently. And remember, this is just the Omnibus and does not include the three FY09 spending bills that passed back in the fall (Defense, Homeland Security, and Military Construction/Veterans Affairs) that had more than 2,000 earmarks worth $6.6 billion. The third excel tab has the breakdown by Senator that Greedo posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posty 2,870 Posted March 5, 2009 http://www.taxpayer.net/user_uploads/file/...marks%20v.2.xlsThe third excel tab has the breakdown by Senator that Greedo posted. Yes I found those, but none of the sorts give the five people that Greedo posted... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recliner Pilot 61 Posted March 5, 2009 Obama said he would end earmarks, yet there are 9000 of them in his budget. HOPE! http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/...ml?iid=tsmodule Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
