Open Thread: Earmarks as Means of Personal Enrichment?
The publishing of Peter Schweizer's Throw Them All Out seems to have inspired some of the editors and writers at the Washington Post who published this week an exposé on how many members of Congress are directing money in federal earmarks to projects that have some direct connection to themselves. It's not necessarily indicative of corruption but the data is fascinating to take a look at. From the Post's summary of its findings:
Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation.
Under the ethics rules Congress has written for itself, this is both legal and undisclosed.
The Post analyzed public records on the holdings of all 535 members and compared them with earmarks members had sought for pet projects, most of them since 2008. The process uncovered appropriations for work in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members. The review also found 16 lawmakers who sent tax dollars to companies, colleges or community programs where their spouses, children or parents work as salaried employees or serve on boards. [...]
Earmarks have long been controversial, with the focus on spending that unduly favors campaign donors or constituents. The Post’s review is the first systematic effort to examine the alignment of earmarks with lawmakers’ private interests.
Earmarks are a fraction of the federal budget, and the numbers uncovered by The Post are relatively small in the scheme of the overall Congress, but the behavior by lawmakers from both parties points to a larger issue at a time when confidence in Capitol Hill is at an all-time low.
There's much more at this link. It's worth clicking through just to see how widespread the problem is. We find it a bit odd that the Post does not provide a Democrat /Republican breakdown but it's still must-reading. What a welcome change to see some investigating into the nation's government that isn't about trying to expose the military or law enforcement. The case in favor of earmarks seems even more tenuous than before.
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Funny link at Drudge
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 10:34am.
Seems little Keefy is holding up ManBearPig over at Current TV.
Up to his antics, mad about his car service, yada yada yada.
Those two certainly deserve each other.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
LOL...apparently Current
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:20am.
LOL...apparently Current isn't able to support the "charismatic host" (no kidding, that's what the "info" for his show says in the Guide listing on TV) in the manner to which he was accustomed.
They have to be losing money.
Submitted by ricklail on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:24pm.
They have to be losing money. They pay him 10 million. I doubt their revenues are that much. Advertisers don't by ad time for 45,000 viewers. He could wind up on the Oprah Network. They may have 50,000 viewers.
Excellent piece detailing the real state of our economy
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 10:53am.
over at Zero Hedge. It's laid out so well, even I can understand it. And it confirms what I've been asking over and over on this site and others: the BLS is manipulating the data to make it seem like we're recovering. From the piece:
There's a lot more in here; I recommend anyone confused about the data versus what you see as you drive through your town, read this article.
bob, as the lady in the
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:22am.
bob, as the lady in the sledding report said, you are a complete, total killjoy!
You're supposed to look at it this way: But look! The unemployment rate is going down!!
THanks, Bob
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:31am.
I'm going to steal that, make some pretty graphs, and put it on my blog. I love making pretty graphs.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
MOTUS is already out of the
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:40am.
MOTUS is already out of the gate on this....
Here you go
Re to bkeyser
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 4:57pm.
I like to see someone correlate the number of people in this age group who are getting government grants and loans to go to attend schools of "higher education", and in many cases taking remedial courses for things they should have learned in publicly funded high schools. Instead of working, being productive, and laying the groundwork for their future, they are literally mortgaging their future and getting in to a debtors situation that will permanently put them behind the success curve.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
One more interesting snippet this morning:
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:00am.
'Anonymous' hacks personal info of Oakland officials.
Does anyone else feel like something should be done about this group? It seems to me that there are suddenly an awful lot of people subject to coersion and extortion. I can only assume the FBI is working on this below ground, but when the same group is releasing taped, confidential conversations between the FBI and Scotland Yard, I don't have a lot of confidence they're making great progress. Makes you wonder how the White House is planning to exploit them; maybe record keeping needs to end? No more storing of emails between cabinet members and private business? No more storing of transcripts of meetings between Justice officials? After all, America, we can't risk a group like Anonymous releasing sensitive material to the public, can we?
Shredder business is booming
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:28am.
Ask ol gun walker himself....
Or this Gem... from the Hack in chief
Anonymous gang are pikers, compared to the leaders of the free world, Gag...
You Didn't Build That.
Okay, I lied.
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:14am.
Here's one more thing I ran across this morning. The NYT asks: why do the Giants get a parade and not war vets? Personally, I've been in more than my share of parades and never liked them; I'm sure most of the guys who'd have to participate wouldn't either. Secondly, and due only to mismanagement by the civilians in charge, we didn't sufficiently complete what should have been our goals in Iraq, and surely won't in Afghanistan either. I suggest we don't celebrate.
But more importantly than the NYT (as if the NYT has any measure of importance) or some silly parade, I think the average American should take a few moments to solemnly honor those who gave so much at the behest of so few. Those who volunteered under the most difficult circumstances to serve their country in the most extreme way. Those who gave all.
Like Lance Corporal Andrew Carpenter of Tennessee. Semper Fi Marine.
I agree
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:24am.
I cynically suspect that the NYT would like to see parades not so much to honor the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, but merely to create the appearance of victory and finality for Commander in Chief Obama so that when those countries slide back in to chaos followed by totalitarianism, Obama's worshippers can say, "It's not his fault; it's Bush's fault."
Check this article from Drudge, BK.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:31am.
You want the truth about where Alf's-grandest-stand is headed, here is a first hand account by an Army LTC. I have a sneaking suspicion that he ain't going to be on the Colonel promotion list as long as Bambi is the RBFSOBCINC, after this article is read by the White House.
Hell, he'll be lucky if he doesn't end up in Gitmo! You gotta love a man with rocks to tell the truth as he sees it.
http://armedforcesjournal.com/2012//02/8904030
Tie a yellow ribbon round the 'ol oak tree...
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:16am.
Take-2
Why America Can't have nice things. State and Local Investment plus Private Investment in Structures.
Yes the construction business SUCKS...
Tell me again where the 5 Trillion went?
You Didn't Build That.
Another Biden "gaffe"
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:28am.
as Joey B blurts out the truth that government subsidies have increased college tuition
And then, he claims that's a good thing!
Thanks, MB.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:32am.
I find it hard to believe that "Champ" wasn't a special needs child and student.
Gaffe?
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 5:08pm.
Biden was quite truthful in his answer. Loans and grants have raised the cost of college educations. It may be a gaffe in that his boss wouldn't want him to say it, but it's not a gaffe in the sense that he said something wrong.
And as you point out, for the left, it's a great thing. More money tunneled through the federal government to one of their biggest constituencies.
In the end, another constituency is created: Young adults who owe the federal government tons of money, that can easily be manipulated to vote for a liberal who will promise them all sorts of ways to defer or eliminate their student loan debt, as long as they vote the right way, or join the right union.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Yes, a "gaffe."
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 5:23pm.
as Joey B blurts out the truth that government subsidies have increased college tuition
In politics, a gaffe is when someone blurts out the truth.
I don't say this often.....
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 6:08pm.
.....but I stand corrected.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Earmarks are even more important now...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:33am.
Now that the STOCK Act was passed and will be signed into law (??) soon. It is going to be much harder for members of congress to line their pockets. Earmarks may be the last best way they have of becoming millionaires while being paid by We the People.
Interstingly on that note...the law would prohibit Congress-critters, aides and some Executive Branch employees from trading stock based on "inside info", but it doesn't preclude them from making decisions based on stock that they already own.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Harmonic Convergence?
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:30am.
Given the man in the Whitehouse's current battle against the Catholics and the emergance of one in the GOP race, could we be seeing...
Santorum 2012
?
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Maybe...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:04pm.
I could certaintly live with a President Santorum. He would be orders of magnitude better than the current occupant.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Komen in death throes.
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:09pm.
What a debacle. Good for Karen Handel though, at least she's got a backbone.
Now that the info is out...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:16pm.
The donations to Komen will probably plummet now that people realize that they are supporting PP and abortion by supporting Komen.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Wow,
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:16pm.
just freakin' wow. (Sorry for dumping so much on the OT, lots worth reading today.)
Yes, of course.
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:18pm.
Right now he is just accused and hasn't been convicted of anything.
We MUST get out of the guilty until proven innocent mindset that the liberals have driven us into.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
And yet...
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:39pm.
And yet...
Had to change my NB profile a bit... vrwc13
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 1:48pm.
My Other Sites
•RealClearPolitics - first thing
•Drudge - was first thing until corrupted by Rmoney
•CNN for balance!
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
ear marks
Submitted by angelann1 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 3:47pm.
They are wrong! Washington is totally corrupt !!!
**Duct Tape Alert**
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 5:26pm.
Just when you think they have reached the limit of chutzpah....
Administration names official advocate for illegal immigrants"
Oh goody!
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 5:42pm.
One more for the impeachment offense list that Congress and SCOTUS will ignore!
Good job, guys!
-Jon
⇒ What else happened today?
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 11:55pm.
At one of his SOTU addresses, Obama berated SCOTUS for ruling in favor of Super PAC funds.
Media went APE$HIT over Justice Scalia mouthing "That's not true" (How disgraceful!)
Today, Obama decided not only to go Super PAC, but also to send Cabinet Members out to
cut Solyndra-style deals with heavy hitterscampaign with donors.Wall Street Obama gets a pass again.
What else happened today?
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 2:00am.
Well you misidentified the SC Justice over whom the media went APE$HIT. [Alito]
And Wall Street Obama is no longer Wall Street Obama. It's now Wall Street Romney.
Jer
I doubt it, Jer...Try BOTH!
Submitted by sarcasmo on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 7:15am.
In fact, if I had to bet, I'd have money on this-time's version of this 'toon looking remarkably-similar to last time's, which is here: www.libertyposter.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/composite41.png
And, as a man of the left, you should appreciate the "reduced for readability" proviso concerning Edwards & "ACT BLUE." I find it hilarious. And someone really DOES need to make a similar graphic about this time.
It's the spending that's killing us.
So far, two for
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 12:07am.
Rick Santorum. Pretty strong speech too.
I am pleased
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 12:23am.
Mittens isn't looking so inevitable now, is he?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
...more than pleased
Submitted by vrwc13 on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 9:38am.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
A list of 26 things (#23 especially applies around here).
Submitted by sarcasmo on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 7:09am.
http://www.bastiatinstitute.org/2012/02/07/26-things-non-paul-voters-are...
It's the spending that's killing us.
What you won't see about "Fast & Furious" on your idiot box.
Submitted by sarcasmo on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 7:12am.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_18608410
It's enough to give me '80s cocaine-Contra flashbacks. But I'm sure nobody's likely to see the bipartisan similarity over time, when it comes to drugwar hypocrisy & corruption.
It's the spending that's killing us.