Earmarks seem to have been inoculated from the public's will by politicians in need of currying votes through the use of the electorate's money. Additionally, earmarks have become rife with wasteful spending, spending at a time when Keynesian Theory is falling from favor; at a time when all Gov. spending has become suspect.
A new congress will soon convene and the topic of an earmarks ban is near the top of the list.
This past Nov.2 we saw, with the help of the TeaParty, the election of many new representatives. Renee Ellmers is one of those representatives.
Where is she now on the issue of Earmarks? Disturbingly she seems to have found a home in equivocation.
According to newsobserver.com,
[emphasis mine]Rep.-elect Renee Ellmers of North Carolina said the litmus test will involve how many exceptions the House carves out - for transportation projects, for example, or for defense earmarks.
"We're saying this is what we've heard from the American people," said Ellmers, a Dunn Republican. "But will we be able to hold to this? Because this is what is going to determine the seriousness."
Bans don't require a "litmus test" or "buts". Disappointment, though, can be built on such hedging ... and I feel a foundation for disappointment is being laid. Sigh.
Renee Ellmers was not alone in commenting on the issue of banning earmarks in the next congress. Rep. Brad Miller, in his search for future relevance in the face of his beloved yet diminished Keynesian mistakes, seemed intent on keeping the spirit of the defrocked Alan Greyson alive by deriding the current movement toward national solvency.
According to charlotteobsever.com Brad Miller had this to say,
"Right now, it's a sound bite in search of substance," said U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, a Raleigh Democrat who sponsored $26.7 million in earmarks last year.
No surprises from Rep. Brad Miller. Our debt is his friend.
Update:
Sorry, I forgot my links. Fixed.
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