“There are no earmarks or pet projects”
That is the bold statement from Nancy Pelosi regarding the stimulus package. Some people don’t buy that. I’m sure Keith Olbermann will question her on some of the specifics of the stimulus that some people consider earmarks or pet projects. I’d either bitch or moan about the stimulus package’s details, and figure out what is or is not pork, but, I can’t find where I can read it. Being as the last draft was put together last night, and they are pushing it to be passed today, I can’t see how anyone can dispute Nancy’s claims.
However, given her history, I’m willing to bet the farm there’s all kinds of pet projects in it.
We’ll see soon enough I guess. I’m sure Keith Olbermann will provide the scoop.
Two quick updates:
- The Washington Post reports that there is indeed some pork in this stimulus bill.
- Jonathan Adler is SHOCKED!
However, since this was not a “spending bill”, and the earmark process was by-passed in lieu of just writing it directly in the legislation, Nancy Pelosi will still claim what she said was true. And, I’m sure she’ll have a justification for every penny of this boondoggle. Hopefully, the average voter will know what’s happened to them.
One example in my opinion of what would have been considered a pet project: $1 BILLION has been designated for a clean coal plant. This was a common request by FutureGen, a company from, you guessed it, Illinois. This is despite the very clear message Obama sent about coal:
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can.
OK, so now we’re going to give $1 BILLION of taxpayors’ money to a company that Obama has no intent of allowing to be developed?
That may not be an earmark, but it sure sounds like a pet project to me.
Constitution Club
Even thought Im an Independent with Democratic leanings I have to toally agree with you on this one. There is no way this bill doesnt have any money for pet projects. The last I heard the thing was over 1400 pages long. Who could possibly read it all? I dont even think Obama read it all. If I was prez I would hope that I would have someone trustworthy enough on my team who could condense this bill down into bullet points so I could figure out whats in it. A bill like this just makes it too easy for money to go where it isnt needed. They could have broken it up into several bills each focusing on something different. Maybe that would help keep the pork out but I really doubt it.
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