Marking Ears

          ‘I want that one.” “I claim that other one.” The term earmark might bring to mind the selection and marking of prized hogs. When Congress dives into the fiscal trough, such local/ personal appropriations are part of the feast.

          What is an earmark? It is an appropriation of Federal (centralized taxpayer) money brought home to benefit the Congressperson’s constituent region. There is much brouhaha in some quarters against the use and abuse of earmarks. Earmarks are tucked away in the folds of bijillion page appropriation bills which have nothing to do with the expenditures. They may be introduced into the bill the day of the vote at 4am. To say that earmarks lack transparency rates a Duh!.

          Defenders of earmarks point out that they have been a big part of Congressional politics since the early 19th Century. At best, they are political concessions, the commodity of deal cutting (i.e. compromise). Many in Congress feel that bringing money home is the reason they were sent to Congress. We need a piece of that pie. Many voters feel the same. So one man’s pork is another man’s livelihood.

          A few months ago, Congress decided not to ban earmarks by a 60 to 40 vote. So there is still plenty of pushback against the anti-earmarkites. How pervasive is earmark abuse? One man’s abuse…never mind. An investigative report a few months ago found that 33 lawmakers spent more than $300 million within 2 miles of their home. Sixteen steered millions to groups connected to family members. People on appropriation committees would spend millions on a “project” and hire their son or brother to run the project. Many of these “competitive” bids turns out not to be. Over 100 lawmakers spent millions within 5 miles of their homes and holdings.

          These facts exemplify the disconnect between power, personal enrichment and accountability. Earmarks are perhaps defensible if they contribute to a greater public good. Not so much if they just add property value to your house.

          These facts also point out the disconnect between reported finances and appropriated money. The stock disclosure forms are worthless in informing accountability.

          All these mentioned practices are quite legal. Congressional ethical standards concerning earmarks are ludicrous. One Senator remarked that you would have to appropriate money to remodel your kitchen before it’s  considered an ethic violation. So if we are mindful to follow the money, we see that the hog at the trough is sustained by big money, and are reminded that power promotes gaming the system in the grand career path called Congress. The American People can blithely submit to the System in place, or we can raise our voices, stand firm, and change that System.