Corruption Personified

[MtSmalls]

Pork Barrel politics is as old as, well, pork barrels (would YOU buy pork, even salted, from a barrell??).

The corruption comes in HOW this juicy little amendment made its way into the bill. That is AFTER the chairman of the committee gaveled discussion on the bill closed. NO ONE has voted for this amendment, in committee (reconciling the House and Senate versions) in the House or in the Senate.

Secondly, it takes the funds out of government control (local or otherwise) and effectively places it in the hands of corporate executives that stand to benefit. Thirdly, we're not talking about a $1.5M bus stop, or $100 million for an indoor tropical rain forest in Iowa. It's $1.5 BILLION. How much armor would that buy for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq??

I disagree with this type of pork across the board, even when its handled within the procedures of the House. This is my main reason for supporting the line item veto power of the President.