Republicans talk about earmark reform. We actually did something about it back in September of 2006. Instead of transparency, how about non-existence.
Here is a pledge that I would like all Republican Senators and Congressmen to take.
“I HEREBY RESCIND ALL OF MY CURRENT REQUESTS FOR EARMARKS IN ANY CURRENT APPROPRIATION BILLS, AUTHORIZATION BILLS OR REPORTS ATTACHED TO THE AFOREMENTIONED OR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS.
FURTHER, AS A LEGISLATOR, I PLEDGE NOT TO DIRECT ANY SPENDING IN ANY BILL UNTIL WHICH TIME:
1. THE CURRENT BACKLOG OF 32,000 EARMARKS ARE IDENTIFIED BY PROPOSING LEGISLATOR AS TO AMOUNT, PURPOSE AND BENEFICIARY AND ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA A SEARCHABLE INTERNET DATABASE;
2. HOUSE AND SENATE RULES ARE CHANGED SO THAT ALL FUTURE EARMARKS ARE IDENTIFIED IN A SIMILAR MANNER SO AS THEY MAY BE DEBATED AND VOTED UPON IN ADVANCE OF ENACTMENT EITHER BY SUB-COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE OR ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND OR SENATE WITH A QUORUM PRESENT; and
3. AS A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY, I WOULD LIKE READ INTO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD THAT I WOULD PREFER TO BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE BY MY PARTICULAR CONSTITUENTS FOR FAILING TO BRING FEDERAL FUNDS TO MY STATE OR DISTRICT VIA EARMARKS RATHER THAN FAILING TO UPHOLD MY OATH OF OFFICE AND GOVERN IN A MANNER THAT BENEFITS MY ULTIMATE CONSTITUENTS, THE ENTIRE AMERICAN PUBLIC".
As Republicans and Conservatives, we need to remove ourselves from the debate on earmarks, or as Speaker Pelosi calls them…”Legislatively Directed Spending.” Or as sane people say…”PORK.” By that I mean we need to forswear earmarks so that we can speak in any debate as dedicated but disinterested.
I believe, rightly or wrongly, that the Republicans lost our House and Senate majority not over Iraq but over spending and corruption. As one congressman said, “Earmarks are the gateway drug to spending addiction.”
We need to do the right thing, admit our mistakes and regain the trust of the American people.
I NEED HELP!!! I am a blogger newbie and HTML challenged. I would like to start a blogging coalition…blogroll, create a button(s) that can be put on their blogs so people can join, speak out about this important topic, create a internet petition, etc. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS? E-mail me at the link below!
In my humble opinion this is as or more important than the immigration debate. If we can curtail $50 billion in earmark spending we can fund all the current and future laws regarding immigration we need to.
If you can help please e-mail me via the link below.
Thank you!
Definitely visit Porkbusters. for more ideas.
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