We are told that the money used for earmarks is somehow a pool of money that is destined to be spent regardless of its appearance as an earmark or not. We are told that the total amount of money spent as earmarks is less than 1% of the total of monies spent each year.
We are not told that earmarks serve as enticements to vote for various bills. It goes something like this:
Congressman #1 :"If you want $600 million for that airport in the Bronx, I will stick that project on my bill, one that you really do not approve of, if you will promise to vote for my bill."
Congressman #2: "Well, O.K."
THAT is why earmarks are wrong headed. More than this, understand that there is no system in place that ensures earmarked funding is actually spent for the purposes described in the particular legislative bill. I mean, $600 mil for an airport in the Bronz? Who follows up on that ?!!
Answer: no one.
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