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DEL.ICIO.USWhen the pork is sliced, diced, keep clean slate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a bit like a small-town sewing circle. Five legislators in a fourth-floor committee room at the state Capitol divvy up the pork. The door is open, the meeting announced. I wander in, just as I had days earlier when legislators appeared before the “Special Projects” subcommittee to ask for small sums, usually $25,000 or less, to purchase vehicles or other equipment for recreation, police, fire and other community projects.
They hate the word pork. Up and down the line, either in this gathering or later in conversations with House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) and Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island), my use of the word to characterize legislator-added largesse, makes them immediately defensive.
It’s a sore subject, in part because of timing. Congress, with its Alaska “bridge to nowhere,” has raised the hackles of fiscal conservatives who object to a budget process that allows powerful legislators to add unscrutinized and uncompetitive spending projects to appropriations bills without debate. That disenchantment may well have contributed to the loss of the U.S. House of Representatives last November.
It’s a sore subject, too, because Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle — in a grand gesture that House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) asserted is “about politics, ambition and leverage” and not spending — summarily rejected the House-passed supplemental as containing too much pork and non-emergency spending. “We are not spending what we do not have,” Harbin told the House.
Richardson was furious that questions about how to structure the supplemental budget were first raised on the afternoon of the day it passed the House. The Senate, retreating to an argument commonly made by fiscal conservatives and by many Republicans when they were in the minority, informed the House that its appropriations committee would strip out pork, new projects and other non-emergency spending, shifting them to the coming year’s budget. The supplemental, thus, would become what it was originally intended — one that makes adjustments to school funding based on new enrollment and to emergencies, such as PeachCare and indigent defense.
Those who object to the use of the supplemental as a second budget that can be used to borrow money and create new spending programs largely unnoticed — me among them — cheer the Senate position. The timing, however, does legitimately give the House reason for anger.
The Senate, Richardson argued, is merely shifting money, not spending less. He argues, too, that special projects the House included are worthwhile and serve a state economic development or tourism interest. I mention the Golf Hall of Fame, a $300,000 addition. “There’s not a greater place for golf than Georgia,” he said, and without the grant, the Hall “is about to be closed down.” He mentions $5 million the House added for the National Infantry Museum project in Columbus. Georgia’s $5 million will be matched by $20 million in federal money and $40 million raised privately, he said. Allocating the money is a tribute to the soldiers who have served in this nation’s wars, he argues, defending the grant with some emotion.
Each of the projects can, of course, be defended. Keen points out with some vigor that the Senate, with Cagle as a member, last year larded up the budget that they now righteously reject.
Truth is, neither the House nor the Senate, neither Richardson nor Cagle, wins this one. Down home, it just looks like more of the same. And if it is gubernatorial politics, it’s two or three years premature.
Meanwhile, back on the 4th floor, a “pork” process is under way that satisfies most of my requirements for doling out legislative largesse. Legislators, in an open hearing, make their requests to a subcommittee headed by state Rep. John W. Heard (R-Lawrenceville). The requests are scored on five points: community benefit, economic development, no ongoing operational costs, local cost-sharing and promotion of civic or personal responsibility. The sums are modest, usually $25,000 or less, with most in the $10,000-$15,000 range. Requests total $10 million. The panel whittles. The max allowed is $3.5 million.
It’s a sewing circle. State Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas (D-Atlanta) has requested $25,000 for an Atlanta Public School project. “You know,” says one of the panel, “she did a very good job in the well yesterday.” Others agree. Her project scores well, an 82, with anything in the 90s or over 100 considered a slam-dunk. “She gets a check,” the chairman declared.
Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard (D-Augusta) has asked for $200,000 for a variety of projects. “Henry’s new to the program,” says one. He gets $25,000 for hometown projects, though that could be whittled down later.
It’s open. Transparent. Projects are graded and compete. And the money can be taken back if not properly supervised, as four grants were this year. I’m not a purist. Small grants can be incentive to communities to come together. Openness, competition and accountability is all I ask.
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By Jim's a Cherry Picker
April 3, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
Morning Jim,
Did you happen to catch that 60 Minutes piece this past Sunday on Pharma and the Medicaid spending bill that Billy Tauzin passed through a while back?
Is that the kind of “openess” and “transparency” that you’re talking about.
That was a real feather in the cap of democracy, that one.
By ron
April 3, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Where are thae attack dogs this morning? hangovers?
By Curious Observer
April 3, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
Yes, it’s certainly hard to maintain a decent profit margin these days. We are fortunate to have taxpayers willing to pay billions more for pharmaceuticals than federal negotiations would render necessary. Good Republican heroes like Billy Tauzin are willing to fight the world to maintain capitalism—without the inconvenience of competition or negotiation, of course. That $1 million-per-year job he secured as a lobbyist for Big Pharma right after ramming the Medicare Part D bill through? Pure coincidence, of course.
Now we read that Pfizer is “assisting” physicians in the worthy effort to fight off prescribing a generic version of a statin rather than the horrendously expensive Lipitor. I suppose those physicians never learned to write, so it’s mighty kind of Pfizer to send disks containing form letters physicians can use to justify their continuing to prescribe the more expensive drug.
Our good ol’ boys in the legislature are getting the hang of things. A few hundred thousand for the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame will do wonders. So will Sonny’s go-fish initiative. But when it comes to Peachcare, well we just gotta tighten the eligibility requirements. Ditto for Medicaid. What, you want Those People to live forever? We got fish to catch and a hall of fame to visit.
By KR
April 3, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
I have to side with Cagle on this. If the project is worthy of spending Georgia’s tax dollars, it should be put in the budget at the beginning of the year, not in the supplemental.
While Halls of Fame and Museums are nice to have, I can’t see how anyone can possibly consider them necessities, especially given some of the money constraints Georgia has. As such, they should be 100% privately financed.
By Dennis
April 3, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten writes, “Openness, competition and accountability is all I ask.”
Where has this call for “openness, competition and accountability” been in this column concerning Iraq?
The comments of “By Curious Observer April 3, 2007 8:40 AM.” are on target.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. I was always fascinated to watch my grandfather “slop” the hogs (manufacturing their bread- and corn-based, mostly-liquid breakfast.) Somehow Jim’s essay transported me back 45 years.
In all fairness, the open-hearing is the right way to distribute pork, but that assumes that the false is true: stealing money from the public to distribute to particular individuals is never a meritorious action of our legislature. Golf Hall of Fame indeed. Send the money to the jbmlaw hall of fame – my strippers will ensure more visitors, and I can hire them for less than $300,000.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
In this day and age it is beyond depraved and disgusting that religion -in this case a backward black “established” national AfriKan Christian church - is literally KILLING people by preying on their witless ignorance and blind brainless superstition. A “holy water cure for AIDS” is just as pathetic and twisted a notion as the deranged papist “pardon selling” in the middle ages.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1258762,00.html?f=rss
if the link doesn’t work see today’s Drudge Report.
By getalife
April 3, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Truth is, neither the House nor the Senate, neither Richardson nor Cagle, wins this one
You will not get the truth from McLiar:
A day after members of an American Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain pointed to their brief visit to Baghdad’s central market as evidence that the new security plan for the city was working, the merchants there were incredulous about the Americans’ conclusions. “What are they talking about?” Ali Jassim Faiyad, the owner of an electrical appliances shop in the market, said Monday. “The security procedures were abnormal! … They paralyzed the market when they came. This was only for the media.”
He is a joke.
By Redneck Convert
April 3, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
I was kinda hoping to read something about some money that would help out us NASCAR fans. Tickets is going out of sight and we could use some aid. To keep from selling food stamps and other stuff to go to the races. Or maybe a new NASCAR hall of fame up north of Atlanta. Us rednecks really love our NASCAR.
Reading Wooten’s words about these fellows in the room kinda reminds me of people that have found some bank money dropped accidently along the road. It don’t come out of their pocket so they can set around deciding what to spend it on. Only it makes me a little mad cause this time I’m the banker cause I’m the taxpayer. What happened to the idea that if you got money left over you can use it for next year’s budget and cut taxes a little?
When you elect me president there won’t be no left over money cause I will give everybody a big tax cut. Except maybe libruls. And you won’t need to pay big taxes for a army cause I will draft all the illegals and pay them next to nothing and let the real Americans return home from the war. With 12 million troops I will be able to kick a lot of butt over there. And with everybody that gets arrested getting the death penalty we won’t need to pay for big prisons. We can all just live on easy street and use Sonny’s new fishing program and maybe visit all the hall of fame places. And all Those People will have to leave the country when I get rid of all the welfare and stuff like Peachcare and Medicaid and social security and Medicare. With all Those People gone we won’t have no crime.
So send your money to Committee to Elect Redneck Convert for President, c/o Simpsons Trailer Park, Dawsonville, GA. Thanking you for your support.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Jim Wooten,
Keep frying “the bacon” at the Capitol. You have a good eye for what needs to be cooked or cached.
I will have to agree somewhat with jbmlaw (but will not contribute to HIS museum). Let us have museums financed by those who are rich and interested. Atlanta’s aquarium is a nice example.
But a museum in every medium sized town at taxpayer expense is a little too much. But come to think of it, how about a Trespassing Tortoise Museum out in Tucker or a Spghetti Junction Crash Museum in Chamblee? Think how educational both of those would be. Add those to the agenda.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
I see inbred rednekkk’s vile RABID RACISM is still being puked up … funny how NO blacks or lefties on here ever actually complain about this sad racist bigot!!
Talking about all blacks leaving the country and how there will be NO crime when they’ve all gone etc is blatant racism!!
This isn’t humour - this is blatant racism!! This is just yet another sick racist leftist sneering at blacks for NO reason at all - other than hate!!
But hypocritical liberals/blacks ONLY ever really screech when wise, erudite conservatives make legitimate points about corrupt and corrosive black racial spoils and challenge blacks to root out the vile thuggish hippety hop gangbanging anti-education kulture that is disproportionately responsible for the sadly still endemic levels of black on black crime!! Ignoring this is just as bigoted as ignoring and excusing the liberals who have low expectations of black kids in skool and so dont even test them properly, so the liberal skools don’t lose funding and enrollment - as fairly quietly occured up in yankkkee IL recently.
By S.C. BBQ Boy
April 3, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
I would like to comment on the post by time for the truth. First the EOC is not a Christian church. It is a mixture of many religions. The “chuch” does not follow the Biblical teaching about Christ dying in a cross, being raised from the dead, and being the savior for all mankind. Secondly medical care as we know it here in the U.S. does not exist. Aids is killing 25% of the children of the country and proverty is rampant so even if a person there could find a doctor, they could not afford to go. While you see their actions as backward and brainless, they view it as the the only ray of hope in a land of hopelessness.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
BBQ nutter
Glibly excusing this despicable shameless exploitation of often poorly educated desperate people who are terminally ill in a poor country is almost as bad and just as evil as telling them “holy water” will cure them of AIDS!! What exactly makes this water “holy”? some smug priest saying some empty worthless words over it?
If these people believe they are suddenly magically cured then they will likely keep passing on the virus, resulting in many more AIDS pregnancies/babies and more infected people!! Even the clergy in the report admitted that most folks are NOT cured!!
Its largely irrelevant what the actual “theology” of the church is. The EOC is one of the major established religions in that country!! Shame on these clerical scum for doing this in the name of their sick and twisted religion!!
THis is why black AfriKa is in the state it is today … endemic ignorance and exploitation of a people - by their corrupt leaders - usually all too ready willing and able to believe any old bollocks!!
By Boomer
April 3, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Cagle for governor. The sooner the better. Maybe the feds can help us out on that one by putting the crook Perdoo in the Atlanta pen.
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Mr Wooten does us all a fine service by reminding us how those greedy Dumbocrats lard up legislation with pork and giveaways. The ‘bridge to nowhere’ championed by that Demoncrat Senator from Alaska is a textbook example of what happens when these Islamowelfarians rule the budget process. It makes me sick.
Hopefully, the GOP will regain control of Congress someday and put a stop to this logrolling and pork barreling.
By ron
April 3, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
I sometimes wonder what some of these people were reading before they posted here.
By JP
April 3, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Interesting background from the Independent (UK): The botched US raid that led to the hostage crisis
Anyone wonder why an alleged American violation of Iranian airspace has been virtually ignored by the “liberal” (and conservative) media?
By Disgusted
April 3, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
It is uproariously funny to see tftt, the most blatant racist on this blog, express outrage at someone else’s assumed racism. This is the same guy who characterizes all aspects of black culture as “hippity-hop” and who coins words like “Sharptongue” to express his disdain for black politicians.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
JP,
Do you have a passport which labels you as a Government agent for Iran? I see that you are blaming the USA for Iran snatching British Marines from Iraqi waters.
Maybe you can explain your blind support for anything anti-American. Even the Iranians did not give the excuses you scrambled around to find for us. Would you like to tell us why you are always against the USA?
By jacksonwolff
April 3, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
hohum, TFTT dosen’t have the first clue what satire is. He would have read Swift’s Modest Proposal and that it a cookbook.
By getalife
April 3, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Dusty,
Blame the Independent idiot
Geez.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
dishonest turd
it is uproariously funny to see sad poisonous leftist tw ats like you lie and distort and emptily proffer vile smears besmirching their conservative betters.
Hippety hop thuggishness, endless glorification of drugs and violence, sexism and even racism is UNDENIABLE … the level of criminality associated with this utterly mindless sh!te is unbelievable. NO OTHER music genre has EVER had anything like the number of shootings, beatings and depraved criminal behaviour. Even B. Cosby (now) says the same thing … as do some other black leaders not intimidated by lying leftist pandering scumbags like dishonest turd!!
AS for the racist bigot Sharptongue … tell the folks who were literally burned to death in Freddie’s clothing shop in New Yawwwk City directly after Sharptongue’s racist rantings, and what about the black racist slag who FALSELY accused a white lawyer of rape in NYC, gleefully aided and abetted by the racist bigot Sharptongue, who lost court case after court case over this shameful matter.
The hate group The NAACP are far more “racist” and “bigoted” than I could ever be. The NAACP are now just vile far left partisan racebaiters!! As are the corrupt to the core likes of Jackasson!! Read the book Shakedown and tell us about Jackasson!!
Its yet another sad and pathetic leftist lie to suggest I have disdain for ALL black politicians … ONLY the liberal, racebaiting, racial spoils ones!!
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
@ jackasswoof
doltish extra chromosomed colonial peasants like you have NO idea of how to actually debate awkward facts. inbred rednekkk is a blatant hateful leftist racist!! this is not ‘satire’ -its disgusting bigotry … which pinko scum like you excuse and enable!!
By Ted P
April 3, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
I was under the impression, that according to constitution that our federal government had a limited job that was to protect our borders, pass laws, that states upheld, and to follow the laws that they passed. Also that serving our government was a part time job, then you went back to work in the private sector. What has happened to our government? Does any body remember this from school “When the people find that they can vote themselves monies from the public coffers it is the beginning of the decline of the democratic form of government.” Shouldn’t we learn from history, oh that’s right they took that subject out of public schools.
By Dick
April 3, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter what they do because they doesn’t include Mark Taylor anymore
By Dusty and Logic = Oil and Water
April 3, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Dusty wrote to JP, “Do you have a passport which labels you as a Government agent for Iran?…Would you like to tell us why you are always against the USA?”
Classic Dusty.
By Dick
April 3, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter what they do because they doesn’t include Mark Taylor anymore
By Dick
April 3, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter what they do because “they” doesn’t include Mark Taylor.
By jacksonwolff
April 3, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
TFTT- BLAHBLAHBLAH
You wouldn’t know satire if it slapped you in the beak,
take that and puke it up at your next AA meeting.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
come on then jackasswoof …
tell me how repeatedly and endlessly sneering at blacks as “those people”. talking about them all leaving the US and then there will be “no crime” … tell me how this is “satire” … sad leftist dogturds like you have NO answer to awkward questions!!
then answer my awkward points @ 11.21am
It sure seems like your twisted bitterness @ AA is because (when sober) you simply can’t count up to 12 (steps).
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
The Effeminate Englishman does not care if you think he is a racist, as long as you think he is clever.
Alas.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
come on then jackasswoof …
tell me how repeatedly and endlessly sneering at blacks as “those people”. talking about them all leaving the US and then there will be “no crime” … tell me how this is “satire” … sad leftist dogturds like you have NO answer to awkward questions!!
then answer my awkward points @ 11.21am
It sure seems like your twisted bitterness @ AA is because (when sober) you simply can’t count up to 12 (steps).
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
come on then jackasswoof …
tell me how repeatedly and endlessly sneering at blacks as “those people”. talking about them all leaving the US and then there will be “no crime” … tell me how this is “satire” … sad leftist dogturds like you have NO answer to awkward questions!!
then answer my awkward points @ 11.21am
It sure seems like your twisted bitterness @ AA is because (when sober) you simply can’t count up to 12 (steps).
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Dear Dusty @ 9:36, my lame attempt at humor was inappropriate, and I apologize to you for my failure to maintain even the low standards of the blog. You asked a great question @ 10:42 of one of the “blame America first” crowd, well done.
Dear Captain @ 10:18, regrettably our new democrat overlords have muzzled the congressional research office, forbidding calculation of democrat pork spending, thus we will henceforth be unable to detect the democrats’ graft. Oh, for the honest, transparent graft of the republicrats. These democrats are worsening the reputations of the crooks. http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009835
Dear jacksonwolff @ 10:52, I respectfully disagree with your assessment – I think TFTT’s satirical comments are the brightest on the blog. TFTT does not need me to defend his ideas, but I am certain that which you call his “racist” comments are anything but – he simply has no tolerance for socialists of any color. Most of TFTT’s humor flies past most of the leftists on this blog, but I get and appreciate about half of it.
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
jbm-
The Captain thanks you for the link to the latest from John Fund. (A man who only occasionally beats his women, and has probably stopped. Perhaps you could ask him.)
Some might find it curious that Mr Fund never, not once in the 6 years when the GOP controlled all three branches of government, cried foul as to the use of earmarks. But this does not trouble the Captain, who recognizes that the use of earmarks during the Glory Years of Republican Power was done solely for the purpose of increasing our security in the face of the Islamofascist threat, never for the enrichment of individual patrons, lobbyists, or Southern California congressmen.
Also glad to know you enjoy the robust wit of the Effeminate Englishman, who displays all the pentrating humor of a superating pustule (with which the Captain is, sadly, well acquainted). He truly is the Rip Taylor of Right Thinking. Then again, John Fund is the Ralph Wiggums of punditry, so your preferences have an interesting consistency.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Lance Corporal Syphilis alas as ever has absolutely NOTHING of any note to add except witless empty personal abuse. Funny how, unlike yours truly, it never actually debates or discusses anything of worth or proffers any actual REAL tangible opinions that can be easily and instantly shredded by true conservatives!!
Surely as a die hard - preferrably a die harder leftist the execrable Syphilis should be excoriating inbred rednekkk for its unremitting anti-black racism and the sundry concourse of socially inadequate leftist buggers on here who incessantly post homo themed abuse. Hypocritically abusing the decidedly queer cornerstone of the supposedly politically ultra correct cut and run demoNcrat party of hate!!
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
“By time for the truth
Lance Corporal Syphilis …never actually debates or discusses anything of worth or proffers any actual REAL tangible opinions that can be easily and instantly shredded by true conservatives!! “
Nothing the Captain writes can be refuted by true conservatives because the Captain presents the True Conservative line of Right Thinking, carried to logical conclusions and with irrefutable reasoning.
Certainly there are so-called conservatives who, due to inadequate reading comprehension (yes, Effeminate Englishman and Dusty, that means you) misread and misunderstand even the simplest statements of fact. I actually wonder whether these frequent posters are really as dense as they appear, or are in fact undercover liberal saboteurs who intentionally make True Believers appear to be doltish and mentally unstable.
As to the pitiable Redneck, while I do not approve of his low-class lifestyle and misuse of the language, the Captain certainly recognizes a kindred spirit in True Belief when he sees one. Though his surface is unpolished, underneath beats the heart and soul of true Christian Conservatism. Only our friend Markus exceeds his ability to shine a light on the true interior quality of Right Thinking. Why would any True Believer denounce him?
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
Ah dear Capitan duh Freedom,
How did the court martial come out this time? Your undercover work as liberal covert saboteur was revealed once again. You really should stop saying that you are Valerie Plame and that you do not bleach your hair. Indeed! One lie is more than enough.
Your conviction was obvious since you have no hair. Also, Valerie has teeth ! Be that as it may, I will send you a postcard during your stay at Gitmo.
We know you will continue to errr… entertain us by way of AJC carrier pigeon. But cheers! Waterboarding can be fun!!
By Redneck Convert
April 3, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Well, I can understand the libruls not liking me. What I don’t understand is how good conservatives can call me names like racist. I must be using the wrong words or something. I think just like most GA voters when they go to vote. Maybe I need to stop talking about Those People and just use other words that mean the same thing. I can understand tftt not liking me none. He always needs his treatment and can’t be expected to think clear. But I can’t understand people like Sister Dusty throwing my words back in my face and making fun of me. We think exackly alike. Only she don’t come right out and say it the way I do.
I say there ain’t a ounce of difference in the way I think and the way other good GA conservatives think when they go to the polls. I just like being honest about it. I just use different words. They say cut waste in guvmint spending. I say stop giving handouts to Those People. We all know that waste in guvmint spending means don’t give Those People nothing, but they won’t come right out and say it. I guess that’s the difference between us. Maybe I’m saying what they are thinking but I’m saying it too plain. I say don’t waste money on schooling. They blast the teachers and the students and cut back on money so the class size gets bigger. We both mean the same thing but they come at it a different way. It’s hard to be a plain old redneck. I need to learn to put on airs the way they do.
Well, I had them little hot dogs in the can for lunch and it’s back to my beer run. I’ll catch up with you all later. I hope that crazy Harold don’t get on here today and start ranting about buying booze on Sunday. Leastwise Markus is on a truck run and won’t be here for another few days.
By Mid-South Philosopher
April 3, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Good afternoon, Jim,
I have been out and about today and am just getting online.
It is often said that one person’s pork is another person’s staple.
As you observe, transparency is the element that indemnifies the pork producing process…if, indeed, there can be any indemnification.
Government should do only those things for the citizens that they cannot do for themselves. It should provide only those necessary services that cannot be privately obtained by every citizen. The problem is who decides what is necessary.
A major way of preventing the surge of pork in Atlanta and in Washington would be the enactment of term limitations. While not totally responsible for the grilling of political barbeque, a major cause of pork is the desire of the legislators’ (and I use that word loosely) to be re-elected. If that were not an option, perhaps, the folks we send to the General Assembly and the Congress would be more concerned about legacy of service instead of longevity in office.
We are never going to achieve term limitations, however, because it would require constitutional amendments both in the state constitutions and in the U. S. Constitution. The politicians are not going to pass anything that will disenfranchise them from their troughs.
Over seventy years of expanding social programs guided by the Democrats and corporatist enrichment endeavors driven by the Republicans have taken their toll on the citizens. While the two approaches are in opposition to each other, both have had the impact of requiring the large majority of middle class Americans to reach for the Vaseline jar. I fear that the experience is not yet over and will not be until the middle class is reduced to a virtual non-existent minority.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Once again Syphilis glibly and dishonestly pukes up a gossamer thin tissue of abjectly putrid, utterly specious lies.
Syphilis is even more deluded and bewildered than the miniscule brain damaged illegal Cuban America hating leftist afterbirth maggotbrain. Neither have even 1% of the intellectual honesty of a lobotomised lesbian earthworm, both have even less credibility than a Klinton in front of a grand jury!!
Pathological LIARS like Syphilis need to be firmly and swiftly dealt with by the modern reintroduction of the old witches ducking stool - though this time the ‘ducking’ needs to be in a large vat of liquid oxygen or nitrogen.
The logical conclusion of Thinking Right is a rapid move towards compulsory euthanasia at the giddy heights of say an approximate mental age 10.5 for vile perfidious leftist cowards like Syphilis. Although creditably now nearly halfway towards attaining this momentously difficult age sensitive target, for Syphilis experimental chemical castration using brain stem cells from one of Syphilis’ familial donkeys would be an acceptable half way house of enforced family court imposed repose for a while.
Syphilis’ egregious unhinged arrogance is hugely amusing to behold though. It’s very thinly veiled visceral hatred of true, patriotic Americans is worthy of its place on the first Death Row Airlines flight to Havana once a real Thinking Right president - Bush is a poor example of a true conservative - scales the political summits leading to the White House.
Syphilis and its treasonous cronies on here merely seek, as opposed to ever actually managing, to chronically disparage and effetely undermine conservatives. The ever pleasing hilarity of their plight is that they do this with all the panache and bite of a retarded toothless, almost halfwitted cockroach sustained by an offical Maxine Waters ritalin and crystal meth drip!!
By For the Record ...
April 3, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
TFTT,
Redneck Convert has adopted an exaggerated persona in order to lampoon the ignorance and bigotry of the classic “good ol’ boy.” By using the euphemism “Those People” in persona, he highlights “his” frustration and inarticulateness at having to live in a polite society that has constricted objectionable terms for African Americans out of his vocabulary. It is meant to be ironic –you see, we don’t really feel any sympathy for “him” because he can’t use the n-word anymore.
I can recommend some good books on classical and modern Satire if you’d like. (Or some on advanced mathematics if that is more up your alley) You really do need them. Apparently, you and your fellow right-wingers seem to think that satire consists of stringing together childish insults, making up “witty” (actually juvenile) words like “DemonCrats”, or conjuring up some brilliant repartee like “we should kill all the liberals.” But then again, you and your cohorts’ lack of talent and taste is only exceeded by the absence of any erudition and perspicacity.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
RedNeck Convert,
You have a startling resemblance to the ubiqitous Capn Freedom of futile fame. While he proclaims an unwarranted military title, you betray the truck drivers and drinkers of America. I think there is an alter ego involved here.
But in truth, saboteur, you are only a carpetbagger “toting” around Al Gore leaflets to stick on mailboxes. All this while riding harold’s bike. Then the James Dickey dialogue from “Deliverance” is sorta tiresome and without couth! Absolutely!
Straighten out, fellow, before I throw something other than words at you.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
@ broken leftist record
I am well aware of the supposed putative nature of inbred’s clumsy, doltish, barely - if at all ironic neanderthal attempts at satire. However such a ‘target’ is clearly no longer valid or relevant!!
BTW … WTF is an afriKan- ameriKan? I’ve never ever seen one of these damn things in ten years of living in the USA!!
killing all liberals is actually a superb election slogan, and would doubtless make for a very productive fund raising quarter for any visionary candidate. cheers for posting something so pragmatic that smacks of deep, understated quiet patriotism that EVERYONE can fully empathise with and joyfully aspire to.
cheers also for the marginally indirect I’m a real clever DICK - I read advanced mafffs books - boast. I personally much prefer to gently peruse more profane trashy populist accessible tomes such as Oprah’s Book Club deign to post to me after my Big Lots monthly money order clears their yankkkee bank account. Currently I’m reading a page turning FBI surveillance camera illustrated gem entitled Being A Corrupt Lying Perjuring Pardon Selling Arkansas Rapist For Dummies - ghost written by Jim McDougal (gedditt??).
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Pelosiwitch to offer aid and comfort to the enemy, travels to Syria to meet with Assad.
IN this action, she joins other notorious American traitors Reps. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL) who have also kow-towed to Assad in the past week. Sen Arlen Specter (R-PA) committed his act of treason in December.
When will America wake up???
By Jack
April 3, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Charlize Theron is an African-American.
By time for the truth
April 3, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I know that Comrade R. Mugabe is a good loyal typical leftist socialist AfriKan-AfriKan.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
For the record,
Can there be yet a third personality here? I mean the Captain, the RedNeck and now the Effete Snob aka For the record. Can one blog carry so many burdens?
The “third” is a little more brazen in his insults. He posts ” right wingers who seem to think satire consists of stringing together childish insults”.
Well, no, ftr, we prefer glib, rational and irrepressible raucous insults for the tragedian troup of liberals. Forgive us for we know not what we do. We love America!!!
By Jack
April 3, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Dusty should run for prez. TFTT should be the running mate. JBMlaw could be Attorney General. Doom can be Secretary of State.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Ohhh, Jack, I love it.
Send a million and I’ll get started right away. Thanks a bunch!!
By getalife
April 3, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Here is a nice pic of the hate party
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
I love to also post under Buy Danish and @@.
By Power of Doom
April 3, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
WHAT???!!! Doom as Secretary of State? The power is no crony for anyone, especially the likes of Dusty.
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Dear Captain @ 12:24, methinks you have breathed too much democrat CO2, when you write untruths such as “Some might find it curious that Mr Fund never, not once in the 6 years when the GOP controlled all three branches of government, cried foul as to the use of earmarks.” In the 14 months immediately before last November’s election the respectable Mr. Fund essayed on republicrat “earmarks” nine times by my count, excluding the couple of essays he authored on wasteful democrats. Do not fall prey to that leftist tendency to lie and disparage when the facts are contrary to your perception. I will attempt to post the links on your request.
By getalife
April 3, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Please keep crusty here, she is stinking up Mike’s blog.
Geez.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
OK getalife, Stop using my ID.
Doom,
Jealousy! You just lost your cut of the first million to enter the cofers. I can see that you are not adept at politics.
By jbm fan
April 3, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
How about posting those links. I’d love to see them.
By Dusty
April 3, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
getalife,
Mike’s blog is like a dead possum lying three days in the sun. What more perfume could be added?
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Dear jbmf @ 3:47, I have now attempted to post the links three times. If something is blocking the links, you can go to the opinionjournal.com home page, and search the archives for “fund earmarks” and you’ll get 30 hits from the last 20 months, of which 9 are on republican congressional excess and 2 are on wasteful democrats. (The rest do not qualify as essays by John Fund.)
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Dear jbmf @ 3:47, at risk of suggesting the ridiculous, post your “junk” email address, and I’ll send you the links through my junk email address, jbmlaw@go.com. Obviously you would not want to post an address on this blog if you actually use the address for anything, but we all have an email address we provide persistent spammers.
By jbm fan
April 3, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
Thank you for the information.
You were right, and Captain Freedom was wrong. Rather than disparaging John Fund, the Captain should have been disparaging you. For it is you who only posts comments and links about excessive Democratic spending while ignoring Republican pork-barrel spending for years when it was far worse.
I also noticed that, like any good DittoHead, you’ve taken your talking points from your favorite talk show host and improperly used the word “Democrat” in your posts when the word “Democratic” should apply.
Good boy. Now roll over.
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Dear jbmf @ 4:19, as a typical leftist, you confuse the truth with what you wish to be true. Long time readers of this blog have seen my criticism of republicrat spenders that arose over the past six years. However the republicrats are pikers next to the democrats. Don’t try to hide the new excess by magnifying falsely the prior crooks.
By harold
April 3, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
that wasnt harold at CNN center, but harold’s betting it was SOMEBODY mad about the sunday sales thing
for anybody else thinking about doing somthing liek that, well, the legistlators are at the capital not at CNN. you only see them on CNN. CNN is an infotainment news channel that sometimes shows the legistlators on the TV
not that harold would condone that sort of behaviour anyway.
By Captain Freedom
April 3, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
The Captain is man enough to admit his error. John Fund, when not busy beating his women, has indeed criticized Republicans for profligacy in the earmark process.
Mea culpa, cries the Captain, mea maxima culpa.
The Captain should be ashamed to continue pontificating in light of this mistake, but like any good neo-conservative, I realize that one little mistake (or even a lifelong string of big mistakes) is not enough to disqualify one from pronouncing from on high. If it’s a good enough standard for Perle and Feith, it’s good enough for the Captain.
Thanks to jbm’s new fan for pointing out where the errors reside.
By Michael Silly Savage
April 3, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
The Silly Savage agrees with the Captain regarding Redneck. I’ve long had my well-trained conservative eye on both these fine men.
The Captain and Redneck embody all that the Silly Savage loves about conservatism and conservative men in particular - the Captain, all manly in his uniform, and the Redneck, his 48 inch waist and his barrel chest with the ever-so-inviting man teats, and his beer delivery man butt cleavage peeking out so invitingly from over his beer and sweat-stained t-shirt, the glassy almost feral faced stare of your typical rural red stater… both these fine specimens send the Silly Savage’s heart all aflutter for the conservative future…
By jbmlaw
April 3, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Additional note to jbmf @ 4:19, I did not address your strange criticism of my use of the term “democrat.” Mrs. jbmlaw has only recently converted me from my prior language for the leftists, which ironically was the same term Bess Truman fought Harry to change, to “fertilizer.”
By jm
April 3, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
jbm fan@4:19 - jbmlaw is quite consistent is griping about republican spenders as well as democrat spenders. He just refers to the republican wastrels as RINOs, rather than admit that “good conservatives” love to gorge at the public trough. Also, his volume is a few decibels higher when talking about the democrat wastrels (much like the Wall Street Journal he loves to quote).
By jbm fan
April 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
No no. I’ve been a jbm fan for quite a while, and he consistently ignores the sins of the right while highlighting the sins of the left (applying phrases lifted from his favorite talk show). jbmlaw also likes to pretend that the sins of left are somewhat magnified when compared to the sins of the right, when in fact, the opposite is true.
(example: There were approximately 1,400 earmarks in the last Democratic budget (1995) and 14,000 in the last Republican budget (2006).)
By harold
April 4, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
Oh dear. Everyone else must be dead. Harold must repopulate the Earth on his own. Guess Harold better get to it.
By Neato
April 4, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
Here it is Wednesday and Wooten’s blog from Monday is still up. Does this mean he was among the early “retirees?” Ha ha ha ha.
By time for the truth
April 4, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
i always knew you “did’ yourself harold, you filthy feckpig amoeba.
By harold
April 4, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
dear time for the truth imposter, everybody but you knows time for the truth ain’t up this early
By time for the truth
April 4, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
he, uh, i mean i’ve been up all night with your mother you leftist dogturd. HUGE smirk
there that ought to prove to you i am who i say i am you pondscum filth.
By harold
April 4, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
still not buying it. TFTT is always good for a laugh or two.
By Brandon
April 4, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
The Golf Hall of Fame in Augusta is a complete waste of tax money. It was the pet project of now convicted felon and former state senator Robin Williams. A Golf Hall of Fame might have made some sense, had the Augusta National Golf Club wanted to play some role in it.. but they never wanted to be a part of it, and they made that pretty clear from the beginning. It was a mistake from the beginning. Over $16,000,000 of state tax money has been spent to build an ostentatious brick serpentine wall and adjacent gardens that, for the most part are devoid of visitors, even during Masters Week. If there was ever a posterchild of pork barrel spending it is The Golf Hall of Fame. It has never lived up to it’s promise of attracting PRIVATE contributions to help pay for the building…. it has been a state welfare recipient from day one. The tube needs to be cut off NOW! Most Augusta locals are just as cynical about the Galf Hall of Fame.. preferring something at the valuable piece of riverfront realestate that would actually draw people to downtown Augusta… like a new minor league baseball park.
By cranky old man
April 4, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
I live in Augusta, and I can tell you I’ve never visited the golf museum, nor do I have any interest in visiting it. I see no need to spend taxpayers’ money to pay tribute to a hobby for retirees. Why not a museum for bridge or checkers or stamp collecting? Personally, I would be much more inclined to visit one of those roadside “two-headed-calf-in-a-bottle-UFO-Elvis” museums. Or maybe a “Corrupt Augusta Politicians” museum.