2008 Woodie Awards
Fiscal Irresponsibility Runs Rampant In D.C.
George Maynard
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Commentary
John McCain has vowed to stay in Iraq for the next 100 years if necessary. In addition, he has yet to distance himself from comments made by his friend and spiritual advisor, the Rev. Rod Parsley. Besides these downfalls, McCain is also a proponent of nuclear energy subsidies. On that note, it pains me to have to give John McCain any sort of applause, but it is time to give credit where credit's due.
On April 2, Citizens Against Government Waste - a nonprofit, nonpartisan group - published their annual "Pig Book." Listing the earmarks approved by Congress for 2008, the "Pig Book" details where $17.2 billion of our tax money is going. In addition, the book contains a list of the most egregious earmark offenses. Some examples of pork, for those who are curious, include $1.95 million for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), $3 million for the First Tee Program - to promote character development through golf - sponsored by Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and $1.6 million for the Allen Telescope Array, sponsored by Rep. Ann Esshoo (D-Calif). These were some of the bigger projects, but there were also countless smaller projects that will be funded, such as $98,000 for a walking tour of Boydton, Virginia - population 454 - sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-V.A.).
In response to the earmarks for 2008, McCain introduced a bill that would ban earmarks for 2009. The bill lost by a vote of 79-21. All three presidential candidates voted for the ban on pork, but only one of them is really serious about taking a stand against the spending. I'll give you a hint which one it is - he's not a Democrat.
For the fiscal year of 2008, McCain did not propose any earmarks. Thus, he received no pork money for his state. This is consistent with his practice of refusing to waste money on earmarks, as he has never requested one during the 21 years he has served in the United States Senate. Contrast that with the other two presidential candidates, and you will see why McCain deserves our sincere thanks for refusing to waste money on stupid earmarks.
On April 2, Citizens Against Government Waste - a nonprofit, nonpartisan group - published their annual "Pig Book." Listing the earmarks approved by Congress for 2008, the "Pig Book" details where $17.2 billion of our tax money is going. In addition, the book contains a list of the most egregious earmark offenses. Some examples of pork, for those who are curious, include $1.95 million for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), $3 million for the First Tee Program - to promote character development through golf - sponsored by Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and $1.6 million for the Allen Telescope Array, sponsored by Rep. Ann Esshoo (D-Calif). These were some of the bigger projects, but there were also countless smaller projects that will be funded, such as $98,000 for a walking tour of Boydton, Virginia - population 454 - sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-V.A.).
In response to the earmarks for 2008, McCain introduced a bill that would ban earmarks for 2009. The bill lost by a vote of 79-21. All three presidential candidates voted for the ban on pork, but only one of them is really serious about taking a stand against the spending. I'll give you a hint which one it is - he's not a Democrat.
For the fiscal year of 2008, McCain did not propose any earmarks. Thus, he received no pork money for his state. This is consistent with his practice of refusing to waste money on earmarks, as he has never requested one during the 21 years he has served in the United States Senate. Contrast that with the other two presidential candidates, and you will see why McCain deserves our sincere thanks for refusing to waste money on stupid earmarks.
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