Congress loads up $20 billion in pork - Examiner.com: "WASHINGTON - Congress has loaded up President Bush's request for 'emergency' spending on the Iraq war with more than $20 billion in 'pork' for members' districts.
Money for peanut storage in Georgia, spinach growers in California, menhaden in the Atlantic Ocean and even more office space for the lawmakers themselves is included in what has ballooned into a $124 billion war bill.
'This emergency supplemental bill has more ornaments hanging over our many branches of government than the White House Christmas tree,' Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., said.
Originally, Bush asked for $105 billion in emergency funding. Democratic leaders say they want to grant the request to continue funding the war despite their desire to end it.
'We have provided all of the money the president requested- and more,' boasted House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer.
That includes $74 million for peanut storage, $25 million for spinach growers and $100 million for citrus growers.
It also includes $16 million to convert the old Food and Drug Administration building in southwest D.C. into more office space for the Capitol. That 'emergency' expenditure comes at a time when taxpayers already shell out $600 million 'more than double the original estimate' for a mammoth expansion of the Capitol, which includes 160,000 feet of new office space."
9 comments:
And this surprises you in what way?
My property taxes went up 20% this year (65% over the last 5) and the local legislature (House side) just passed a bill making it illegal to sell a foreign-made American flag in Minnesota. Nice to see that they know what's important. And some people wonder why the numbers of people voting keep going down.
No more political posts. Please. My heart can't stand it.
stilwell
I hope you saw your daughter's comment on the post about the bank robber.
In deference to a poor retired bookseller with a heart condition, I'll try to lay off the political stuff. Actually, I didn't consider this one political, just funny in a horrible way.
A fool curses the darkness; a wise man lights a candle--and plants spinach.
Does it have to be spinach?
Reps. do not dare vote against it either because the pork is tacked onto a War Bill.
That and they need their own pork plans promptly approved to provide permanent positioning in office. But I'm preaching about a perpetual problem probably known to anyone above primary school.
Er... Wrong log-in above.
Spinach?
Thanks for the heads-up on the comment from the kid. She will be surprised with the coal in her stocking come Christmas. Or maybe she won't.
s
I'll bet it won't be the first time, knowing how cheap you are.
This is another surprise which is to be faced. Raising of fund from $100 to $124 by Mr.Bush to meet the expenditure.
fitness
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