Why do the American people allow Ear Marks, by the Congress?

Question

They r bleeding us dry, our fore fathers revolted over a Tax on Tea, and we just let Washington burn our Money.

Answer 1

Then talk to other people and help them to learn who to vote for the next election.  

Have you been to the office of your Representatives and filed a letter in person protesting ear marking.  Do you write to those that are elected by the people.  

Just talking will not get anything done.  actions will so get at it.

Answer 2

Push the House and the Senate to give the President the "Line Item Veto". This way the President can cross off all the ear marks or pork. As Harry Truman said "The Buck Stops Here" and it would. If the President had this power then we could really blame him/her for not being fiscally responsible.

The House and Senate members will stuff important legislation with stupid pork which the President veto's and then the Legislatures can then say look the President doesn't care about you, which it is not true, for it your Senator or Representative did care they would not stuff the bill in the first place.

Answer 3

It should be illegal to attach anything not directly related to the main legislation. ie. You should not be able to add funding for a park to a death penalty bill.

I would like to be for the line item veto but I can see how that could be abused as well. If there were clear cut rules on it's use then it would be a very good thing.

Answer 4

Good question and one that continues to come up even in Washington. The problem is those who would have to put a stop to it are the ones who are benefiting from it. It is a lot like the welfare program; if welfare worked as it should it would put itself out of business instead of seeing a continues growth. If we put a stop to the "Ear Marks" many politicians would not get the extra millions of dollars for their areas. Look at what Clinton claims as her accomplishments in Washington; most of them were from "Ear Marks"; every politician has used these. I agree; any bill should only include only funding for the primary bill and no ear marks. Many good bills are voted down because of the ear marks that have nothing to do with the primary bill. When you hear of a politician who voted against what appears to have been a very important bill it often occurred because of some ridicules ear mark attached to the bill; another statute in New York, a park in Florida, added wing on a hospital, maybe all good things (maybe not) but having nothing at all to do with the primary bill.

Answer 5

What have you done to stop it?

Answer 6

You are 100% correct in what you wrote.  The citizens should try to force congress to act against ear marks but it would be one hellava fight. If you want to see someone fight this form of stealing tax dollars to pay for junk items across the USA put McCain into power.  He hates ear marks.  Bush said that he would not endorse any bill that has ear marks that have not been ok'd by congress.  Has he looked at any bill to date?

Answer 7

When every congressperson, when speaking to their constituients is asked by one of them to pledge never to vote for an appropriation bill containing earmarks and never ask for earmarks, then the people's voice will be heard, but not until then.  You see, we sometimes are our own worst enemies through non participation and inattention.

Answer 8

Tell us how to stop them, count me in on helping!