Senate Panel Hears Proposal to Reduce Pork

FOX NEWS ^ | Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Fox News' Brian Wilson

[yellowdoghunter]

WASHINGTON — A Senate panel heard testimony Wednesday on ways to limit congressional pork (search), but even its sponsors recognize that the resolution to cut out lawmakers' pet projects has little chance of prevailing.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. (search), is leading the very small pack of lawmakers interested in reducing the amount of money earmarked by legislators in appropriations bills. By some estimates, those earmarks -- generally described as last-minute, unrequested, specially designated projects -- totaled $45 billion in the 2003 budget.

[yellowdoghunter]

I know this is a little old, but I urge everyone (especially those in Alaska) to call their Senators and demand they support this bill.

[thoughtomator]

Sen. John Quixote, R-AZ, launches another "Windmill Project".

[Sir Charles]

If you could look at John McCain as a barrel of apples, some of which are rotten, this I would call one of John's good apples. This practice so obviously needs to be stopped that it doesn't stand a chance of being reformed, but I give McCain credit for having the guts to try.

[sam_paine]

If you could look at John McCain as a barrel of apples,

On the other hand.....if you could look at the Senate as a barrel of apples, you'd HAVE to consider McCain as a bad apple....

[inquest]

There is a "proposal" already out there that would be very effective at reducing pork.

It's called the U.S. Constitution.

[ConservativeMan55]

I love to eat pork. When I first read the headline...I was a bit worried about the whacko food extremists.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Senate Panel Hears Proposal to Reduce Pork

Just as long as they stay away from my BBQ sandwich...

[inquest]

...aligned with Islamic radicals. Now there's a nightmare for ya.

[ken5050]

Allow me to post my pet theory on how to cut pork...Let's assume ( for purposes of easy math...) that the president would like to cut out $100 billion of pork...the bear DNA projects, and the like....and there are 100 million taxpayers...well, W should line-item veto the $100 bill, and call for a tax rebate of $1000 to every taxpayer....yes, many who didn't pay taxes would get the money back..but it would establish the "linkage" in peoples minds..that the govt wastes money.....and I'd rather a poor person get the money than it goes to some dumb research or arts project..and BTW, the Dems couldn't really complain, could they..?hehehhe

[gunnedah]

This will never happen. They need this to reward their friends,families and those that donate to them. All elected officials do this, it helps stay in power.

[Sir Charles]

I agree. The point I want to make, as you probably know, is that even a bad apple has one or two good bites. Let's not throw it out until we've gotten whatever good there is to get.