Why is pork spending not plainly and simply declared unconsitutional? It was the first time someone tried 1817

Question

Madison as a President vetoed the Bonus Bill in 1817 declaring it unconstitutional.
I think he was absolutely right, Politicians do it for votes and for
financial contributions to run campaigns.
In short it is a promise to return favors for political support.
It's called Patronage,and to me it is a form of bribery.
How did this practice become so widespread in a democracy.
In many countries this would mean ' end of political career ' if
not a jail sentence .
Yet for almost 200 years it is a readily accepted old and venerable political tool in the USA.
Everybody seems to be doing it, have the voters never protested, or do they just accept it as inevitable ?.

A mercer I agree it doesn't get direct mention in the constitution, you can't forsee everything. That's why I say declare it unconstitutional. Or change the
constitution ( but that's like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas ).

Answer 1

You would have to get the supreme court to declare pork spending unconstitutional. However, I am not sure what arguement you would use to get that done. Which part of the constitution is it violating?

Well, it might be possible to find an implied reason in the constitution to ban pork spending, however, I am not sure there is one. Also, the idea of the supreme court just starting to declare things unconstitutional because congress won't pass amendments to make them unconstitutional is a pretty scary thought. That would make the supreme court the rulers of the US. They would be able to make up whatever laws they saw fit. If they start doing this then how would you stop them from declaring human rights unconstitutional. The idea of letting the supreme court create law is a violation of the checks and balances.

Answer 2

I think it would be very hard to provide a clear definition of just what is "pork spending" in order to outlaw it. However, to a large extent the problem could be resolved if Congress just reinstated the "Line Item Veto." Then there would be little motivation for Congressmen to put in (at least) the more blatant attachments onto important bills that need to go through expeditiously, because they know the President could just cross it off.

Answer 3

Pork is what makes Washington run.

Clinton was briefly able to use a line-item veto, but that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme court.

Answer 4

One mans pork is another mans means of passing valued legislation.