Earmarks have been demonized and made the focus of conservatives and especially members of the Tea Party. I'm of two minds. First there are earmarks the Representatives add to bills that are needed and necessary, such as military needs. I support these earmarks as long as they are transparent - who, what and cost - and as long as they are posted on the internet for Americans to read.
It's the surreptitious earmarks that are slipped into big bills that have nothing to do with the bill. Mostly these earmarks are for projects in a Congressman's district. Using a random bill to "bribe" voters to re-elect him.Remember the "Road to Nowhere?" In this case I support eliminating these earmarks. If you believe something that is in the best interest of your district, there's no need to hide it. However, instead of eliminating earmarks altogether, Congress needs to consider them item by item. This would allow the voters to weigh in and there would finally be accountability to the voters.
Who, what, why and how much. Sounds like a good battle cry.
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