Alexander vs. McCain on Pork

Hey, Republicans – are you against Pork Barrel spending or not?

Do you stand with John McDole, champion numero uno of eliminating earmarks for local projects in the federal budget?

Or do you stand with Senators Lamar Alexander – now bragging about all the pork he’s cramming into the federal budget?

Alexander proudly announces in press release after press release more than $209.8 million in taxpayer money that he’s funneling into earmarks.  That’s just over $32 per person in Tennessee. 

So make up your minds, my Republican friends – is this good or bad?  Are you happy or outraged?

It’s a pretty typical list of earmarks, raising all the typical questions:

Should the federal government foot part of the bill for local business ventures? ($800,000 for a medical research park in Memphis)

Should the federal government subsidize local charities? ($1 million for East Tennessee Human Resources Agency to replace wheelchair accessible vehicles which provide transportation to the elderly and disabled)

Should the federal government earmark federal money for specific local road construction projects? ($1 million for State Route 317 to provide a connection between an office park and I-75 near Chattanooga)

And, of course, the usual question: Are you kidding me? ($1.6 million for the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center)

(What do you mean you’ve never heard of the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center?  You’ve never taken a “history journey through time to visit the diverse cultures of Townsend [a small Tennessee town] and Tuckaleechee Cove” for the mere cost of $6 per ticket and millions in taxpayer money?  Why this regional [at best] elementary school field trip destination belongs in the federal budget is something that no doubt leaves John McDole crying himself to sleep at night.)

There’s a ton of money for Tennessee’s waterways (e.g., $9.8 million for Old Hickory Lock and Dam), including what I thought was the funniest line on the list – quoted here in its entirety:

 $20.2 million for the Tennessee River for continued operations and maintenance.

Who knew we had to pay the Tennessee River to continue operating?  Are they just going to toss the money in or what?*

So take your time, my Republican friends, and think it over.  It’s a big decision.  Who’s in the wrong here – Alexander or McDole?

- Calvin Rye

*Of course not, rivers have banks.

(I'm so, so sorry.)

Comments

[Frank Ray]

Wow…you know here in Utah, the 6 term incumbent who supported earmarks was just booted out.

His challenger, Jason Chaffetz ran against earmarks and pledged not to vote for ANY earmarks, and even though the incumbent outspent him by over 6 to 1, Chaffetz won 60% - 40% !!!

There is a group that endorsed Chaffetz that organized voters to help him win that is looking for other anti-earmark candidates nationwide to support. It sounds like anyone who ran against Alexander would be a candidate they could get behind.

Check out their website at http://www.ourcaucus.com

It has everything in 9 to 12 minute video presentations that detail exactly how the big money special interest groups and the perpetual incumbents like Alexander work hand in hand to abuse earmarks and our budget and tax policies.