Republicans turn on each other over earmarks
We must eliminate earmarks. The hypocrisy of lawmakers on both sides is bankrupting our country.
THEHILL-Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) issued a decidedly unsubtle threat to Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) for attempting to cut programs in Young’s home state and use the funds for programs around the country, declaring that “those who bite me will be bitten back.”
Young’s outburst came in response to an amendment offered by Garrett that would cut an $11.8 million earmark for “Strengthening Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.”
Young said in his floor speech that “New Jersey has a bad reputation” and blamed the GOP’s minority status on “members who want to cut spending.”
Garrett retorted that part of the problem with Congress could be that some members look at appropriations as their personal checking accounts.
The New Jersey Republican said that when “the gentleman from Alaska comes forward and says, ‘It’s my money,’” and the funds are then used for projects like the infamous Bridge to Nowhere, taxpayers see problems with the process.
Republican Study Committee (RSC) members quickly sprang to Garrett’s defense after he tried unsuccessfully to have Young’s words read again through parliamentary procedure.
Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Texas) criticized the level of spending and praised Garrett for his attempt to cut it further.
What is it about Alaska reps. always seeking pork? Beautiful state, but maybe it’s time to sell back to Russia for a handsome profit since we only paid 2 cents an arce 140 years ago.
Bart
Most lawmakers on both sides is why we are 9 trillion in cash flow debt and 40 to 50 trillion in future obligations!
You have equal blame via party leaders like you that support Congressman like Tom Price that voted and or supported the pork.
No John…it is not my fault or Congressman Tom Price’s that certain legislators always seek to pilfer taxpayer dollars. You lost trying to falsely blame Congressman Price…when will you get it that he is a fiscal conservative?
Bart
Your logic escapes me!
Congressman Tom Price voted and or supported the pork bills. You as a party leader supported Tom Price and his support of pork.
No doubt my logic escapes you John because it is LOGIC…something you have zero grasp of based on your posts to this site.
Congressman Price has a respected fiscally conservative record according to every source except you and a few other Price haters.
He won re-election in probably the most conservative district in Georgia if not the entire country with 83% to your 17% (with you incessantly lying about his voting record and fiscal conservative positions).
Working within a system setup to constrain legislators from making significant changes, he has introduced legislation to slow or end pork spending. He has an exemplary record with regard to tax and spend policies.
This post is filled with LOGIC based on REAL DATA John. I know it will “escape” you, but if you want to LEARN something, spend time reviewing Price’s voting record.
Bart
Congressman Tom Price supported and or voted for the following failed pork projects just to name a few. I would like to hear how you would not call this pork!
HIGHWAY BILL
ENERGY BILL
BILLIONS OF UNRLATED EARMAK PORK ON THE IRAQ FUNDING BILL IN 2005
DRUG PRESCRIPTION BILL
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
RAISE THE DEBT CEILING TO 9 TRILLION DOLLARS
I could add some more but this is a good sample of “REAL DATA” showing Price sold out our Country to the lobbyist in Washington!
Blah, blah John. Do you ever have an original thought based on due diligent research? This is the SOS you have been whinning about for two years, yet the fiscally conservative congressman continues to gain support from other fiscal conservatives both in congress and around the country.
Since you would have voted against the Highway Bill, answer this question: Do you support the 49 other states getting taxpayer funds from Georgia drivers to pay for roads in their states? That is what was happening prior to the Highway Bill and would have continued if (God forbid) you were a Georgia congressman.
Bart
The issue of highway funding percentage has nothing to do with the bridges to nowhere in the Highway bill.
Unless you are saying that we had to fund pork projects to get our money back.
If you think that is true you are the problem not the solution!
Leaders like you and Congressman Price are why America is 9 trillion in the red with cash flow debt and 40 to 50 trillion in future liabilities to our children.
You and Tom Price can be for pork spending of tax payers money but please stop with the lies about you guys being fiscally conservative the math does not add up!
Answer the question John; Do you support the 49 other states getting taxpayer funds from Georgia drivers to pay for roads in their states?
Instead of always complaining, What Would John Do? After voting no on the Highway Bill losing billions for Georgia residents, what would John do to change the redistribution system of federal fuel tax dollars so that no pork could be allocated for certain powerful legislators?
Bart
As I said I support less governemnt not more like you. If you want real reform whatever you put in you should get back.
This reform should have nothing to do with the pork spending on the highway bill.
Bart
BTW the GOP was in control they did not need Democrats for help in the reform.
John,
Blah, blah, irrelevant talking point blah. “I support less government…” BS!
As usual, your posts have no substance. Why won’t you answer the question John?
As I said Bart you say one thing and support pork at the end!
You and Congressman Tom Price are the problem not the solution!
Great answer again John. Let me help you, I’m pretty good at mock interviews.
The answer is YES, John Konop based on his statement against the Highway Bill would rather see Georgia fuel tax revenue spent in other states to the detriment of gridlock relief in Metro Atlanta.
“ . . .and blamed the GOP’s minority status on “members who want to cut spending.””
I’ll say it again: a fiscally conservative Republican’t is a contradiction in terms.
In bb’s defense, Alaska does have it’s share of corrupt politicians.
I think it’s safe to say that Stevens, Murkowski, and Young are all corrupt. Murkowski (originally appointed by daddy Murkowski) is just now being investigated for a “fishy” land deal on the Kenai (snicker, snicker, snicker). Google it.
We’ve had 4 state Republican representatives (Kohring, Kott, Weyrauch, Anderson) all indicted on federal corruption charges within the past 6 months. The first was just found guilty last week (Anderson).
Then again we have the most popular governor in the U.S. right now. Gov. Sarah Palin (R).
No offense captain, but I’ve never heard of the most popular governor in the U.S. — Sarah Palin. Google time!
Correction to post #17, now I know who Sarah Palin is and she is my next favorite choice for POTUS. America needs a hot chick in charge (especially one that enjoys fishing and hunting)!