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Post by Angie on Sept 18, 2008 12:59:14 GMT -5
For those of you who are listening to the drama about earmarks in the election. Overheard: "Meanwhile in Washington, Mr. Obama voted for numerous wasteful earmarks last year, including: $12 million for bicycle paths . . ." -- Jim Demint, Republican senator from South Carolina, writing in The Wall Street Journal. Is this such a bad thing?  |
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Post by kenb321 on Sept 18, 2008 13:38:27 GMT -5
The bike paths led only to Mosques. That way he could ride the path in disguise to go "pray" in secrecy.  ;D Obama 08' |
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Post by MattCollister on Sept 18, 2008 13:48:18 GMT -5
k, That's rather funny. In a Colbert-nation "truthiness" kinda' way.
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Post by MarkD on Sept 19, 2008 6:55:02 GMT -5
Interesting thing about earmarks is that if you take them away, Senators and Congressmen will be held to standards related to laws, policies, and leadership. The the current "earmark" environment, most of their political adds tout what $$ they bring to their districts or State. Take away money and true character will come shining through...
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Post by Angie on Sept 19, 2008 9:35:41 GMT -5
Yes mark... that is true but we as citizens of a state elected these "yahoos" to represent us. Is it so bad that they are bring money back to the state? Here's a great example: In West Virginia (I lived there for 7 years), everything is named after Robert C. Byrd... they have defense programs, college buildings, technology centers, medical centers because of earmarks that he added. Without those funds, WV would have nothing. The state does not have any money... The big question is: What is the role of the congress? To sit up in Washington and debate about what a horrible job the president is doing.... or not. I think their job is to support the people of their state and get money for state projects.... I think we need to forget the Utopian view of congress... it is never going to be that way.  |
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Post by MarkD on Sept 19, 2008 12:51:40 GMT -5
No arguements here about the good that federal funds do that wound not otherwise happen. I believe that the arguement over earmarks is that there is no process to ensure fairness with this particular process - such as there is for other federal grants and loans. and... yes... I fully acknowledge that my view here is an idealistic one, and, often, reality sucks !!  |
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Post by Jack Carney on Sept 19, 2008 21:38:28 GMT -5
The role of Congress? That is a good question. As far as the current Congress it seems the role is to do absolutely nothing and blame the president for all the problems in the world.
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Post by traciezamiska on Sept 20, 2008 7:17:05 GMT -5
i guess my question is, how many bike paths were actually constructed with the $12 mil?
often, as is the case for the city of cleveland and the majority of cuyahoga county, the money allotted goes to pay salaries for administration of the fund and to complete studies, not actually to complete the intended projects. cleveland municipal school district and NPI are GREAT examples of that!
i think accountability reaches everyone from the pres, congress, local officials and leaders, even to us. the plain fact is, if you want things changed you have to make alot of noise.
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Post by MattCollister on Sept 20, 2008 11:59:03 GMT -5
The role of the Congress is defined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Look it over.
I think much of the reason we're in a pickle today is that Congress - the branch of government that most directly represents you and me - has, for all intents and purposes, turned over its key responsibilities to the Executive branch. (The Exec Branch is covered in Article II, and I think you'll see, is much more vaguely defined than Congress).
This is a phenomenon that has happened steadily over the last several decades. It's happened during the watch of both parties. "Representing us" has evolved into just getting money for pet projects in the district. And its completely impotent to address any significant issue or problem in a meaningful way.
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Post by Brandon on Sept 21, 2008 17:27:29 GMT -5
There is one way to hold your congressperson accountable, outside of cutting them a BIG check. Voice your opinion (ok, its a little more complex than that). Your voice is important, but consider that a few hundred (or more) constituents has much more power to sway the congresspersons actions than one individual. Hence the importance of organizing folks around issues they care about and lobbying for the desired action. Like the NRA, for example. Yes, lobbying gets a bad name but it is the way things get done in congress. But organizing a "community" of people is getting close to community organizing, and we all know from one particular vice-presidential candidate that community organizing is something that is to be scoffed at. She's right...we should just let the congress to whatever they want  |
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;D Obama 08'
