SwiftVets.com

[Harvuskong]

http://www.star-telegram.com/448/story/147630.html

Texans requests billions in earmarks
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -- Rep. John Culberson wants $10 million for nanotechnology projects. Rep. Sam Johnson is seeking $4 million for a National Virtual Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech University.

For a week, the House bickered over spending on special projects and who decides what pork members of Congress get to bring home.

Rep. David Obey, House Appropriations Committee chairman, said his committee had more than 30,000 requests - or earmarks - and needed time to examine them.

"I hate earmarks because they suck everybody ... into the idea that we have to be ATM machines for our districts," Obey said.

The Democrat who shared his wish list, Rep. Gene Green of Houston, wants $3 million for the Battleship Texas Foundation

This is only a small part of the article. I chose to pick on the earmarks that I thought would of very great interest to the Vets here.

[baldeagle]

The problem with earmarks is that (like the folks who hate all congressmen except their own) they are generally viewed from a jaundiced eye, except for those which will benefit your own District/State.
I am a Texan and, naturally would like to see those Texas projects get a hunk of money. But that money comes out of the pockets of my fellow taxpaying citizens from little towns and farms across the country.
The USS Texas and San Jacinto, as far as I know, are STATE Parks, and as such, I believe should be funded from within the State. I know that I would not like to see my Federal tax dollars going to Mobile, or to Wilmington, NC, for the USS Alabama or USS North Carolina parks. Let the folks there fund their parks, I do not believe that should be a federal thing.
The State and Local gov't entities ask for those ships for museums, tourist attractions, etc. Let the States and local gov'ts fund them.

And IMHO, the same thing goes for other local projects (like the Vietnam museum)
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"In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home." --George Washington

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

I agree 100% with baldeagle. Pork is pork - even when it's going to my home district or to one of my favorite causes.

(And I'm almost a Texan. Been married to one for 26 years. )
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~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother