In the LA Times Editorial “The new Party of Pork” the duplicity of both the Democrats and the GOP is laid bare. There is a collusion to protect earmarks to gain favor with constituents. So I wonder if the geometry of the situation can be altered so that it is less about eliminating earmarks and more about the reasonable and fair management of earmarks.
Instead of arguing to get rid of a perk so fundamental to congressional power, how about a formula to give each member of Congress an earmark budget that is a function of both the population of their district and other federal spending in their district. So if, for instance, a Congressional district averages around 700,000 then a Congressperson would get a budget of $7,000,000 to allocate based on an agreed upon criteria for common good. Self dealing, etc would need to be reviewed. Some control on the amount of earmarks would help level the playing field between incumbents and challengers.
To me this is the Centrist approach: Rather than posturing ineffectively at entrenched self interest, try to compromise on managing it while incrementally reducing its caustic consequences.
UPDATE: McCain’s war on pork could cut services
Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.