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Clinton Stuns With $2.3B in 2009 Earmark Requests
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for 2009, almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator this year.
The Democratic presidential candidate's staggering request comes at a time when Congress remains engaged in a heated debate over spending federal dollars on parochial projects.
It also has gained traction on the campaign trail. Presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), a longtime foe of earmarks, has called for eliminating what he dubs "wasteful Washington spending." Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has spurned earmarks, seeking no funds for pet projects in the upcoming fiscal year.
Particularly odd because in March, when anti-earmark sentiment was gaining traction, Clinton co-sponsored an amendment that would have banned earmarks for one year.
I've said all I'm going to say on this topic already. Find that here.
Clinton, I mean bush-lite, is back at it again.
I don't expect any politician to be "pure" to an expressed position, but this is FUBAR timing.
When will someone come out and say what is needed?
End earmarks 100%
Term limits (3 terms rep, 2 terms senate)
End signing statements
And anyone who works for congress or executive must be out of office for as long as they were in office before they can lobby.
Who's with me?!?!?
Count me in, kirkbrew. Although we're up against a monstrous system. I just read yesterday that they've made e. coli smell like spearmint. But can they make government smell any less shitty? I wonder.
I think I'd start by making Congresspersons actually READ the bills they vote on, and also give citizens and public interest groups a chance to see what's being voted on, and comment before they're allowed to vote.
I also like the bill that's been proposed that requires Congress to cite the part of the Constitution that gives them the authority to do whatever any bill seeks to do.
They ALL act like "it's just a God Damned piece of Paper"!