New Congress SOS

[cutthemdown]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/18/earmarks/index.html

CNN) -- Despite the new Democratic congressional leadership's promise of "openness and transparency" in the budget process, a CNN survey of the House found it nearly impossible to get information on lawmakers' pet projects.

Staffers for only 31 of the 435 members of the House contacted by CNN between Wednesday and Friday of last week supplied a list of their earmark requests for Fiscal Year 2008, which begins on October 1, or pointed callers to Web sites where those earmark requests were posted.

Of the remainder, 68 declined to provide CNN with a list, and 329 either didn't respond to requests or said they would get back to us, and didn't. (Find out how your representative responded)

"As long as we are not required to release them, we're not going to," said Dan Turner, an aide to Rep. Jim McCrery, R-Louisiana.

Seven members of the House said they had no earmark requests.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Illinois) released a list of his earmark requests on Monday.

In 2006, Congress approved a record $29 billion in earmarks --those spending requests derided as "pork" that fund everything from road construction and research grants to ski lifts and minor league baseball diamonds. Legislators view these projects as important proof that they are serving their constituents back home.

The 2006 total was 6.2 percent more than 2005's $27.3 billion.

When Democrats regained control of Congress last fall, they promised to create the most honest, open Congress in history.

"We will bring transparency and openness to the budget process and to the use of earmarks," Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi said in December 2006, "and we will give the American people the leadership they deserve."

Democrats said that Republicans had corrupted the earmark process while they controlled Congress.

Earlier this year, the House implemented rules changes that require greater disclosure of earmark requests, and the Senate passed a bill that would require lawmakers to post a list of their earmark requests on the Internet. The bill, however, has not passed the House.

Last week, the issue came to a head as the House got bogged down deliberating the budget for the Department of Homeland Security Department.

Republicans accused the Democratic leadership of attempting to bypass debate on questionable earmarks when House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wisconsin, said he would not attach them to legislation until those bills had passed the Senate and House and had been sent to conference committees to work out differences.

Obey said there wasn't time to scrutinize the 32,000 earmark requests and keep the legislation moving. He blamed having to "clean up after" the Republican-controlled Congress for why the requests wouldn't be examined in time. (Watch Obey tell the GOP that Dems had to clean up "your mess" before addressing earmarks Video)

But House Republicans pointed out that position was counter to Democratic campaign promises and Obey was forced to back down and allow Republicans weeks to examine the earmark requests.

Critics said that doesn't play well with reform-minded taxpayers.

"Their behavior isn't better than the last Congress and in some ways worse because they know they have those requests," said Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "We know they have more than 30,000 letters asking for specific earmarks and they're not letting us see them."

Tom Schatz, of Citizens Against Government Waste, said the compromise is a step in the right direction but short of promised reforms -- all requests won't be made public, only the ones for which spending requests are approved.

Originally there was going to be no disclosure, now we have some disclosure," Schatz said. "And yet again the judgment will be made by the Appropriations Committee staff."

But others like Public Citizen say the compromise is far from what was promised.

"It violates the whole spirit of the reform, said Craig Holman, legislative representative for the nonpartisan group's Congress Watch.

"We really did expect that earmark requests would be an open book so that all of America could sit there and take a look at who's requesting what earmarks," Holman said.

[cutthemdown]

These Repubs and Dems will never change. They don't want to say what pork they are sneaking into budget because they know how bad it all looks. And it looks bad because so much of it is so stupid. Pelosi back tracking on that transparant budget she said the dems would be doing and the repubs love it because they want to add pork also. Same ole same ole in DC people. They didn't end the war, they didn't change the pork barral earmarks.

[Garcia Bronco]

Yep...congrats to Congress.

[Crushaholic]

These Repubs and Dems will never change. They don't want to say what pork they are sneaking into budget because they know how bad it all looks. And it looks bad because so much of it is so stupid. Pelosi back tracking on that transparant budget she said the dems would be doing and the repubs love it because they want to add pork also. Same ole same ole in DC people. They didn't end the war, they didn't change the pork barral earmarks.

You're right. It's never going to change, short of an all-out revolution on the government. It's a vicious circle. People don't pay attention because politicians are just doing whatever they want and politicians continue to do whatever they want because people aren't paying attention.

[Hotrod]

Anyone who actually thought the Dems would come in and clean up congress are hopelessly flawed.

[spdirty]

My district needs some of that pork.

[Spider]

My district needs some of that pork.

Thats the thing , I got all bent out of shape , then I saw what maybe pork to some is a need to another ..............

[Crushaholic]

Thats the thing , I got all bent out of shape , then I saw what maybe pork to some is a need to another ..............

If that's the case, they need to be open about the pork they are including.

[Spider]

If that's the case, they need to be open about the pork they are including.

agreed ..........

[spdirty]

Thats the thing , I got all bent out of shape , then I saw what maybe pork to some is a need to another ..............

After the snow season, and all the money that went into snow removal, people around here aren't spending money on roads or subdivisions. I usually work about 3, 4, 5 hour days in the winter, but not right now. This is the time of year we should be working 6, 7 day weeks sunup to sundown. A lot of pavers are hurtin pretty bad right now, which mean we are hurtin.

Thing that makes it worse is that when work does come out, our idiotic competitors freak out and lowball the **** out of it. So bad that they don't even make money on the job. Just do it for the exercise.

But, once we get our DBE it will be different. Hopefully we'll have more work than we know what to do with.

[Spider]

After the snow season, and all the money that went into snow removal, people around here aren't spending money on roads or subdivisions. I usually work about 3, 4, 5 hour days in the winter, but not right now. This is the time of year we should be working 6, 7 day weeks sunup to sundown. A lot of pavers are hurtin pretty bad right now, which mean we are hurtin.

Thing that makes it worse is that when work does come out, our idiotic competitors freak out and lowball the **** out of it. So bad that they don't even make money on the job. Just do it for the exercise.

I feel your pain , our freight has been slow ....

[defenseman]

States need to manage themselves better, congress needs to get rid of the pork, simple as that...dman

[Spider]

States need to manage themselves better, congress needs to get rid of the pork, simple as that...dman

oh brother ....... is there a pill you take to come up with these little quotes ?

[ChargerChuck]

States need to manage themselves better, congress needs to get rid of the pork, simple as that...dmanYou must not realize that the individual states patronize Congress for federal funds almost as much as the private sector does? They (most states) have to in order to get the funds they need to stay afloat.

[Spider]

You must not realize that the individual states patronize Congress for federal funds almost as much as the private sector does? They (most states) have to in order to get the funds they need to stay afloat.

Not to mention they ( the states ) get cut off from funds if they dont follow federal guidelines for the interstates , schools , roads,infrastructure ...... D man doesnt think alot of things through before posting , but he is an ok guy ;D
Take Wyoming if it wasnt for the interstates Namely I 80 this state would be self supporting but then we dont even have a million people in the entire state ....


......... Oh and D man the Government gets the over the road use tax per 18 wheeler you see not the state , and we pay roughly around 1,100 per month in this tax , so why should the state pay for road repairs when the Feds get the income .Same way with our IFTA tax , Feds get the majority of it , States get a small fraction of that tax .......

[cutthemdown]

The Democrats just need to do what they said they were going to do. Republicans won't push to hard or make that big a stink about it right now. They will wait until congressional election come around to do that. Also republicans don't want a transarant budget anymore then dems do. When it comes to pork who gets it is not as important as who doesn't. Also the politicians really don't want to disclose the things they ask for and don't get. Why let public in on it until the budget is passed and the money gone? They don't see the need. Unfortunatly for the Pelosi she promised to end the war and clean up the budget process. She is 0-2. She could have probably tried to force and end to the war but she is afraid things might have went really bad in Iraq after that and it would look bad for the upcoming presidential election. By maintaining the status quo she can avoid that and keep the blame squarly on Bush and the Republicans. Really politically that was the right move for the Dems. Forcing and end to the war could have been what the Republicans needed to shift the blame somehow. As far as the cleaned up budget process Pelosi found out Congressman like Murtha just wont go along with her.

[Spider]

The Democrats just need to do what they said they were going to do. Republicans won't push to hard or make that big a stink about it right now. They will wait until congressional election come around to do that. Also republicans don't want a transarant budget anymore then dems do. When it comes to pork who gets it is not as important as who doesn't. Also the politicians really don't want to disclose the things they ask for and don't get. Why let public in on it until the budget is passed and the money gone? They don't see the need. Unfortunatly for the Pelosi she promised to end the war and clean up the budget process. She is 0-2. She could have probably tried to force and end to the war but she is afraid things might have went really bad in Iraq after that and it would look bad for the upcoming presidential election. By maintaining the status quo she can avoid that and keep the blame squarly on Bush and the Republicans. Really politically that was the right move for the Dems. Forcing and end to the war could have been what the Republicans needed to shift the blame somehow. As far as the cleaned up budget process Pelosi found out Congressman like Murtha just wont go along with her.

The Dems made a promise they cant keep , the Bridge to nowhere is a bad example , but Pork barrel for states saves Jobs , Lieberman had alot of Pork Barrel , but it went to the Navel Shipyards in Connecticut , keeping his district in work , but to people in Wyoming , that was pork Barrel ...... Pork Barrel is one of those things that gets abused , then shown on TV and Idiots think it is a bad thing ....... I dont know where you live cut , but Snow removal is a wonderfull thing and that to the people in the deep south is pork barrel , I had 1 guy in texas tell me , hell just leave the snow it wont last forever .....

[Spider]

take our friend spdirty , his work is slow , but a serious need ,why shouldnt my tax dollars go to help him instead of some other bullshít .......

[spdirty]

I feel your pain , our freight has been slow ....

Man, I'll tell you...what a bad day for DJ Signs. One of our vendors decided to lie to us and become a competitor. She swore up and down that she wouldn't step on our toes or hurt us. Today she outbid us on a 56K job. Job was sweet too...wouldve taken 2-3 days to do. Now its frickin war and she already has a leg up on us cuz she has the fcking DBE. DBE...another brilliant idea from liberal **********s.

Unbelievable...last thing we need now is more competition. I could really use some highway funds pork right about now. Start getting back into CDOT.

[spdirty]

take our friend spdirty , his work is slow , but a serious need ,why shouldnt my tax dollars go to help him instead of some other bullshít .......

Thank you. Good thing about yours and my line of work though, there will always be a need for it.

[spdirty]

I'm so fcking pissed off right now. That bitch swore to us that she wouldnt get into installations, Ill bet she tries to horde in on about 4 paving companies that give us all their work.

I'm almost tempted to say fck it and go to Fort Collins. Hearing theres a ton of good work out there. Wish I could just win the damn powerball and put her ass out of business, just to be vindictive.

[Spider]

That sucks Bro ....... Wyoming is in the same boat with I 80 and our winter ....... we cant fix I 80 , talk of turning it into a toll road ......

[spdirty]

That sucks Bro ....... Wyoming is in the same boat with I 80 and our winter ....... we cant fix I 80 , talk of turning it into a toll road ......

potholes? Why the hell can't they funnel some pork over there to fix that shlt?

[Spider]

potholes? Why the hell can't they funnel some pork over there to fix that shlt?

it is worse then potholes , through rock springs , you can barely keep your vehicle in 1 lane , outside of Wolcutt Jct , same thing , I80 sees more heavy traffic ( meaning grossing 100k + ) then any other state ...... the oil and trucking industry has tore the hell out of that road

[defenseman]

You must not realize that the individual states patronize Congress for federal funds almost as much as the private sector does? They (most states) have to in order to get the funds they need to stay afloat.

thats the point. Manage yourselves better, don't count on uncle sam bailing you out at every turn...dman

[defenseman]

Not to mention they ( the states ) get cut off from funds if they dont follow federal guidelines for the interstates , schools , roads,infrastructure ...... D man doesnt think alot of things through before posting , but he is an ok guy ;D
Take Wyoming if it wasnt for the interstates Namely I 80 this state would be self supporting but then we dont even have a million people in the entire state ....


......... Oh and D man the Government gets the over the road use tax per 18 wheeler you see not the state , and we pay roughly around 1,100 per month in this tax , so why should the state pay for road repairs when the Feds get the income .Same way with our IFTA tax , Feds get the majority of it , States get a small fraction of that tax .......

More so than you know. However, I am for states cutting their own spending more and balancing their own budget routinely. I recognize that some help is required, there is no denying that fact. However, some of the pork is flat out ridiculous. For example, expenditures in the millions for driving examinations in three or four different languages when all signs on the road are in english is freaking nuts. Money poorly spent at the minumum. Save the money, make the drivers to be learn freaking english, on their own dime I might add...dman

[Spider]

More so than you know. However, I am for states cutting their own spending more and balancing their own budget routinely. I recognize that some help is required, there is no denying that fact. However, some of the pork is flat out ridiculous. For example, expenditures in the millions for driving examinations in three or four different languages when all signs on the road are in english is freaking nuts. Money poorly spent at the minumum. Save the money, make the drivers to be learn freaking english, on their own dime I might add...dman

as well as States should , I am not saying there are not any abuses .....

[TailgateNut]

The Democrats just need to do what they said they were going to do. Republicans won't push to hard or make that big a stink about it right now. They will wait until congressional election come around to do that. Also republicans don't want a transarant budget anymore then dems do. When it comes to pork who gets it is not as important as who doesn't. Also the politicians really don't want to disclose the things they ask for and don't get. Why let public in on it until the budget is passed and the money gone? They don't see the need. Unfortunatly for the Pelosi she promised to end the war and clean up the budget process. She is 0-2. She could have probably tried to force and end to the war but she is afraid things might have went really bad in Iraq after that and it would look bad for the upcoming presidential election. By maintaining the status quo she can avoid that and keep the blame squarly on Bush and the Republicans. Really politically that was the right move for the Dems. Forcing and end to the war could have been what the Republicans needed to shift the blame somehow. As far as the cleaned up budget process Pelosi found out Congressman like Murtha just wont go along with her.


How, pray tell, would she have "forced" an end to the war? She didn't have the backing to overide Mr. Veto.

[ant1999e]

How, pray tell, would she have "forced" an end to the war? She didn't have the backing to overide Mr. Veto.

Don't make promises you can't keep. I guess that goes against everything the politicians stand for though doesn't it.

[ChargerChuck]

The Democrats just need to do what they said they were going to do. Republicans won't push to hard or make that big a stink about it right now. They will wait until congressional election come around to do that. Also republicans don't want a transarant budget anymore then dems do. When it comes to pork who gets it is not as important as who doesn't. Also the politicians really don't want to disclose the things they ask for and don't get. Why let public in on it until the budget is passed and the money gone? They don't see the need. Unfortunatly for the Pelosi she promised to end the war and clean up the budget process. She is 0-2. She could have probably tried to force and end to the war but she is afraid things might have went really bad in Iraq after that and it would look bad for the upcoming presidential election. By maintaining the status quo she can avoid that and keep the blame squarly on Bush and the Republicans. Really politically that was the right move for the Dems. Forcing and end to the war could have been what the Republicans needed to shift the blame somehow. As far as the cleaned up budget process Pelosi found out Congressman like Murtha just wont go along with her.Five and half months in and they are suppose to have already completely fixed the Bush administration and Republican led Congress mistakes and blunders?

[Spider]

Five and half months in and they are suppose to have already completely fixed the Bush administration and Republican led Congress mistakes and blunders?

LOL ....... I try not to ever agree with opposing team fans against a Bronco fan , I wont start now ;)

[Spider]

Don't make promises you can't keep. I guess that goes against everything the politicians stand for though doesn't it.
Love to hear a guy running for office say .... Here is what I would like to do , but I have to get the rest of those tight assed whore banging Money stealing asswipes in Congress to go along with me ........

[cutthemdown]

How, pray tell, would she have "forced" an end to the war? She didn't have the backing to overide Mr. Veto.

They could have just not funded it like Murtha wanted to.

[TailgateNut]

They could have just not funded it like Murtha wanted to.

That's assinine. Our troops shouldn't be "shortchanged" because of the numbskull decisions of the Fuehrer. Why don't we just ration bulletts and send them some duct tape to keep the Humvees from falling apart.

[cutthemdown]

That's assinine. Our troops shouldn't be "shortchanged" because of the numbskull decisions of the Fuehrer. Why don't we just ration bulletts and send them some duct tape to keep the Humvees from falling apart.

I agree we shouldn't do that. Pelosi and the Dems should have been honest and said we can't stop the war. Instead they used it for political gain when they knew all along they wouldn't be able to change the wars course at all.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I agree we shouldn't do that. Pelosi and the Dems should have been honest and said we can't stop the war. Instead they used it for political gain when they knew all along they wouldn't be able to change the wars course at all.They definitely are changing "the wars course" shown by Republicans giving Bush until August to show progress with his "surge" fiasco.

[defenseman]

They definitely are changing "the wars course" shown by Republicans giving Bush until August to show progress with his "surge" fiasco.

The so-called "surge" fiasco, has not been deemed a failure, nor a success. The results are, quite simply, unknown at this point. And, the "press" coverage certianly does not tell the tale by any stretch. We will see in september. Until then, I suggest disregarding any news network or politician attempting to label either a failure or success. The jury is still out...dman

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The so-called "surge" fiasco, has not been deemed a failure, nor a success. The results are, quite simply, unknown at this point. And, the "press" coverage certianly does not tell the tale by any stretch. We will see in september. Until then, I suggest disregarding any news network or politician attempting to label either a failure or success. The jury is still out...dmanI really don't need politicians telling me what's working and what isn't. It's pretty obvious what is going on in Iraq, has been for years now since we invaded them.

[defenseman]

I really don't need politicians telling me what's working and what isn't. It's pretty obvious what is going on in Iraq, has been for years now since we invaded them.

Whatever you say svengali...dman

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Whatever you say svengali...dman
LOL

You read Trilby? Didn't take you for that type.

[TailgateNut]

The so-called "surge" fiasco, has not been deemed a failure, nor a success. The results are, quite simply, unknown at this point. And, the "press" coverage certianly does not tell the tale by any stretch. We will see in september. Until then, I suggest disregarding any news network or politician attempting to label either a failure or success. The jury is still out...dman


I guess the daily death counts aren't any indication of it being just another failed program.

Blah, blah, blah, news networks don't know, politicians don't know......just ask GEORGE, he'll be able to enlighten us!Hilarious!

Tell me ol faithful, who is going to tell us in september. Bush?Hilarious!
Will he wear his flightsuit again?Hilarious!
How about a Banner, you know we like Banners!Hilarious!

IRAQ IS A FLUKE, A FAILURE, A ****-UP, BASED ON FRAUD, PERIOD!

[defenseman]

I guess the daily death counts aren't any indication of it being just another failed program.

Blah, blah, blah, news networks don't know, politicians don't know......just ask GEORGE, he'll be able to enlighten us!Hilarious!

Tell me ol faithful, who is going to tell us in september. Bush?Hilarious!
Will he wear his flightsuit again?Hilarious!
How about a Banner, you know we like Banners!Hilarious!

IRAQ IS A FLUKE, A FAILURE, A ****-UP, BASED ON FRAUD, PERIOD!

Patreus will answer the question, no one else. The news networks don't have one clue what's going on over there right now. September 07 we will all hear it straight from the horse's mouth..dman

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Patreus will answer the question, no one else. The news networks don't have one clue what's going on over there right now. September 07 we will all hear it straight from the horse's mouth..dmanUh, who exactly would that be?

[Bronco Bob]

Patreus will answer the question, no one else. The news networks don't have one clue what's going on over there right now. September 07 we will all hear it straight from the horse's mouth..dman

Patreus works for Bush. He'll either say what Bush wants him to say or he'll
be looking for a new job, just like the rest of the generals who didn't say what
Bush wanted them to say.

[defenseman]

Patreus works for Bush. He'll either say what Bush wants him to say or he'll
be looking for a new job, just like the rest of the generals who didn't say what
Bush wanted them to say.

whatever you say. I know the press is not the proper source to make a call, nor ANY politician. Anything making a "judgement" by either of these, based on unconfirmed and biased evidence should be disregarded in kind. patreus, will make the call...dman

[TailgateNut]

whatever you say. I know the press is not the proper source to make a call, nor ANY politician. Anything making a "judgement" by either of these, based on unconfirmed and biased evidence should be disregarded in kind. patreus, will make the call...dman


You have been well trained to believe what the "man" tells you. I thought you had sunk, but we all know %^$# floats.

Seriously, Do you actually believe that ANYONE in this administration even knows when they lie. After a while it should stsrt feeling natural!

Bush, the only puppet surrounded by puppets.

[cutthemdown]

Patreus works for Bush. He'll either say what Bush wants him to say or he'll
be looking for a new job, just like the rest of the generals who didn't say what
Bush wanted them to say.

The dems like Patreus. He was picked in part because he had easy confirmation.

[defenseman]

The dems like Patreus. He was picked in part because he had easy confirmation.

A fact that has been routinely overlooked by the "press", when they constantly follow the whining senator reid around. Amazing...dman

[Spider]

The dems like Patreus. He was picked in part because he had easy confirmation.

I still think Patreus is the best man for the job , but it is one hellva job .....
but as good as he is , he cant win the peace , the Iraqis dont want us , or our ways , they want things the they was .......

[cutthemdown]

I still think Patreus is the best man for the job , but it is one hellva job .....
but as good as he is , he cant win the peace , the Iraqis dont want us , or our ways , they want things the they was .......

You just don't realize how important this all is. We will be in Iraq for a long long time. Even if Obama gets elected I bet he doesn't pull all the way out.

[Spider]

You just don't realize how important this all is. We will be in Iraq for a long long time. Even if Obama gets elected I bet he doesn't pull all the way out.

Now how in the **** does that apply to what I posted ? I dont give a rats ass if we are there 50 ****ing years , if People dont want Change there is nothing ****ing patreus can do .......... who in the hell said anything about pulling out ? where in the hell did i say if Obama is elected we get out ?
Impress the hell out of somebody else with your thinking ...........