YEP...what YOU said.....gov’t “money” is like “mafia” money....comes with too many strings attached....and a big markup
People complain about earmarks but earmarks are only a symptom of the disease.
Leave more money in the hands of the people and if they want a special project, they’ll fund it through donations or they’ll vote to give more taxes to the local government.
Earmarks also lead to irresponsible fiscal behavior.