[SubMareener]

We saw Paul Ryan’s explanation for “earmarks” this morning. The idea was to reassert Congressional control over spending. Whether or not that is true, now he has declared that they will work to that end in the new Congress. While he deserves watching, he is appearing to get with the program.

[pepsi_junkie]

When Ryan was selected to be the VP nominee I was really happy because he had a reputation as a budget hardliner. Then he got control of Ways and Means and it seemed he was maybe not as strong on that as we thought. Then he became speaker and he removed all doubt, he did nothing to reign in spending at all and arguably made it worse.

I suspect that this idea to bring earmarks back right after the election was planned before the election on the assumption Hillary would win and Paul Ryan was on board with it. The rest of his coalition was too stupid to call the plan off until Ryan said "whoa guys, this isn't going as we planned. hold your fire!" I also believe if Ryan is toeing the line on fiscal responsibility it's because he is looking over his shoulder at President Trump behind him. Otherwise it would be open season.