Commentary

Earmark Reform?

Former Republican All-Star lobbyist Jack Abramoff recently pleaded guilty to paying
bribes to the esteemed pork-addicts in Congress, and Randy “Duke” Cunningham,
Republican of California pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a military contractor.
The paying of bribes is related to the issue of earmarking, which is used to insert a pet project into a spending bill without it being subject to scrutiny.

When the Republican Revolution began in 1994, the number of earmarks added to
legislation stood at 2,000. That number has increased to 10,000 in 2006- and the year
has over three months to go. The tab to date is $29 billion.

After the scandals listed above, the House leadership issued a bold call to action: a ban
on privately funded travel and a tightening of limits on lobbyists’ gifts to lawmakers would be enacted and enforced- others wanted to double the amount of time former
members have to wait before lobbying colleagues from one year to two.

Well, that was many months ago. The loud calls for reform have been replaced by
a less than pathetic half-step. The House will focus on earmarks- the end result of
the bribery process, but the new regulations only require that the sponsor of the
earmark has to own up to it by signing his/her name to the legislative appendage.

There is a catch of course; earmarks have been redefined to exclude money destined
for the Defense Department or other federal agencies. So, for all those Republicans
looking to fund museums and non-profit tree-hugging societies- watch out!

Another wonderful feature of this poodle of a bill, is that it has to be renewed in the 2007
legislative session. By that time, there could be a new suspect in the Jon Benet Ramsey
case, or a new highly-staged reality series to watch. Yes, I am aware of the mid term elections. I’ve been listening to the President- and I am fearful for my family of two cats and four houseplants. As far as true spending reform from a newly-minted Democratic majority- don’t count on it. These earmarks were not without Democratic sponsorship, and every day is fund-raising day is the House.

With this quarter-assed attempt at reform, our elected leaders will continue to spend us off the fiscal cliff. Let’s be honest, the earmarks they are targeting account for a drop in the bucket, and the end result of public authorship may at best enrage a few shut-in C-span viewers.

© 2006 Splendid Marbles.