2007-03-23 04:04:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Yes, and it's wrong.
But only the line item veto can save us from it.
2007-03-23 05:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by Ricky T 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. The money and support offered by the special interests who benefit from the pork is the bribery. Loading Bills with pork is a form of barter.
2007-03-23 11:10:14 · answer #2 · answered by Michael E 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Loading legislation with "pork" is as old as democracy itself. Greek and Roman republics had the same problem. Lawmakers find it easiest to gain votes by going back home and telling all the folks "look what I have given you". Vote for me and I will go back for more. That is why you have so much opposition to giving the President the power of a line item veto.
What they don't say is "look and see how much this has cost you". That's how government budgets get out of hand and taxes go ever upward. They all feel the need to go to the voters with their "bribes".
The founders of this nation very well knew the dangers of people being able to vote themselves "bread and circuses". That's why they tried to limit the degree of democracy within the new republic. Already the original rules have been changed to allow U.S. Senators to be chosen by popular vote. More democracy, more pork. There is a loud cry to do away the Electoral College. More democracy, more campaign fraud, more pork.
Very rare is the statesman with the courage to go back to his district and say "Look and see what I have stopped them from taking away from you".
http://www.hendrixcampaign.com
2007-03-23 11:52:48 · answer #3 · answered by John H 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the "pork" gets spent at home, they can bribe me some more...
2007-03-23 11:08:52 · answer #4 · answered by Carpe diem 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is the way politics work. All of them do it.
2007-03-23 11:07:37 · answer #5 · answered by Groovy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is.
Where did all the honesty and ethics promised by the Dems go or is it "FISCAL BLACKMAIL" ?
2007-03-23 11:31:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
BILLS SHOULD BE PASSED ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS NOTHING HIDDEN IN THE FINE PRINT.
2007-03-23 11:12:36 · answer #7 · answered by strike_eagle29 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes...but whatever it takes to get the republicans to do the right thing...it will be used against them later, anyway.
2007-03-23 11:08:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
You bet it is and if they think they're gonna get away with this, they are sadly mistaken !!!
2007-03-23 11:08:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋