Why We Need A Viable 3rd Party.

I don't have any real commentary to add to this. Just absorb and file away for future reference.



Well, okay, maybe I've got a lil' somethin' to say about this latest example of both parties saying one thing and doing another.

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (D) opposed yesterday's $410 billion omnibus spending bill because it was "bloated" and included $7.7 billion in earmarks. “At a time when so many American families are tightening their belts to make ends meet, Congress should be as equally committed to living within its means," he said in a statement.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called the spending bill a "missed opportunity" and urged President Obama to veto it. "The bill costs far too much for a government that should be watching every dime," he said.

And Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe (R) said in opposition to the legislation: "Each and every time, whether a Republican or Democratic initiative, I have refused to go along with big government spending or big government solutions."

But as it turns out, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, Bayh had four solo earmarks attached to his name in the legislation, worth $2.7 million; McConnell had 36 totaling $51 million; and Inhofe had 34 earmarks worth $53 million.

Indeed, of the 35 U.S. senators who opposed the omnibus spending bill last night -- in the form of a "no" on the cloture vote -- 28 of them had solo earmarks in the legislation.

In total, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, these 28 senators had a combined 307 solo earmarks totaling nearly $240 million.

Here's the breakdown:
Barrasso (4 earmarks, $2.7 million)
Bayh (4 earmarks, $1.2 million)
Bennett (23 earmarks, $18 million)
Brownback (21 earmaks, $12 million)
Bunning (5 earmarks, $735,000)
Burr (3 earmarks, $1.3 million)
Chambliss (7 earmarks, $4.3 million)
Collins (1 earmark, $380,000)
Corker (1 earmark, $760,000)
Cornyn (5 earmarks, $2.5 million)
Crapo (1 earmark, $100,000)
Enzi (5 earmarks, $1.7 million)
Graham (14 earmarks, $9.5 million)
Grassley (8 earmarks, $350,000)
Gregg (19 earmarks, $10 million)
Hatch (7 earmarks, $700,000)
Hutchison (35 earmarks, $9.9 million)
Inhofe (34 earmarks, $53 million)
Isakson (2 earmarks, $1.4 million)
Kyl (3 earmarks, $5 million)
Lugar (10 earmarks, $3.3 million)
Martinez (8 earmarks, $18.8 million)
McConnell (36 earmarks, $51 million)
Roberts (11 earmarks, $2.2 million)
Sessions (12 earmarks, $4.3 million)
Thune (6 earmarks, $4.3 million)
Vitter (16 earmarks, $4 million)
Voinovich (6 earmarks, $13.5 million)

Again, say one thing, do another. A-holes, all of em'. Interestingly, Arizona GOP Senator Jon Kyl got himself a piece of the porky pie. Perhaps that's how McCain can slam folks for taking earmarks, yet still ensure his peoples get their fair share of BBQ in the process. Clever indeed.

I'm not letting Obama off the hook either. He put himself in this trick bag by trying to match John McCain moral talking point for talking point on the campaign trail.



He knew good and damn well he couldn't stop earmarks from being deposited into the bill, and honestly, I don't even think he needed to. We all know not all earmarks are bad. But you promised to get rid of em', all of em', Barry. Epic Fail!

Right or Left, they all just care about staying elected.

Too bad we're only got two choices.

Question: What do you think about all the earmark hypocrisy? Is this a bad look for Obama or will he hold true to his promise "from now on out"?

EARMARK HYPOCRISY? [MSNBC]