Nobody can cut pork spending. It can’t be done. If you want the votes to get a piece of legislation enacted, you have to pony up. “You vote for Bill 2666, my bridge and I’ll vote for your bill 6147, building a military base in your (state or district).”
Anybody who even tries to change how things work will get buried by special interests. Reagan managed to cut the pork for people who voted against his issues, but defended his allies’ pork. That’s just how it works.
Re your #7:
You’ve explained the problem well and it’s been in existence since we’ve had a congress. What’s the solution?
It can be done, but no one has the guts/gonads/leadership/vision/courage to do it. Here’s how it would work:
1. The Federal government could only spend...say 7% (?) of our combined gross incomes. So if you add up what we make in a year and and it comes to $100, the government can spend $7.00. No more.
2. No borrowing except for times of war, and only then by a 2/3 vote.
3. No deductions for the individual taxpayers except for charitable contributions.
4. EVERYONE pays, regardless of whether they make $1.00 a year or $1 billion a year.
They are crooks, plain and simple.
Some of us here remember the House Bank and House post office. I think Rush brought them up today.
5% approval and yet about 90% retention rate. It isn't them, it is us that are at fault.