Keep Politics Kosher (House GOP needs a low-pork diet) [Op-Ed by John Boehner, Maj Leader Candidate]

Wall Street Journal ^ | January 17, 2006 | Representative John Boehner

[RWR8189]

WASHINGTON--The Republican agenda is at risk because of a growing perception that Congress is for sale. The guilty plea of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham for bribery, the guilty pleas of scam artists Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon, and rumors of future indictments, have all cast a pall over the public perception of the House of Representatives and corroded the public trust in our collective commitment to principle.

We can't allow this to happen. Republicans need to prove to voters that our policies come directly from our principles. To rebuild trust in the institution and our commitment to governing, we need to recognize that most of the current ethical problems arise from one basic fact: Government is too big and controls too much money. If you want to dismantle the culture that produced an Abramoff or a Scanlon, you need to reform how Congress exerts power.

We must start by addressing the growing practice of unauthorized earmarks--language in spending bills that directs federal dollars to private entities for projects that are not tied to an existing federal program or purpose. The public knows the practice better by a different name--pork-barreling. Unauthorized earmarks squander taxpayer dollars and lack transparency. They feed public cynicism. They've been a driving force in the ongoing growth of our already gargantuan federal government, and a major factor in government's increasing detachment from the priorities of individual Americans. Earmarks have also fueled the growth of the lobbying industry. Entire firms have been built around the practice. As more entities circumvent the normal competitive process, confidence in the system erodes, encouraging others to take the same shortcuts.

Many pork-barrel provisions are inserted into legislation at the last minute to ensure passage, and relatively few members get a chance to see them before actually voting. My Republican colleague, Jeff Flake

[SAJ]

What **is** this clown arguing? That there's too much pork? Well, duh. Or, that the Regress should take steps to reduce the pork in the budget? Right. Happens tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.

Well, folks, if we're going to deal in pork, we might as well have a good recipe, and here we go:

Use either pork loin (chop off the bone) or tenderloin, at your option. The key to good pork, other than fresh-cut meat that you barbeque, is the marinade.

1 to 1.5 lb pork loin or tenderloin, marinated as follows:

4 oz soy sauce
2 tbsps fresh ginger (skinned and chopped = 1 oz net)
1 tbsp sesame oil (wonderful stuff)
3 green onions, trimmed and well chopped
1 slice red onion, well chopped
3-5 cloves fresh peeled garlic, chopped
1 tbsp 5-Spice Powder (it's cheap, and OHHHH what a flavour)
1 or 2 Thai red ('dragon') peppers stemmed and seeded, chopped or not, as you like
dash cardamom, either powder or chopped bud, as you like
1 tbsp honey (recommend clover, but it's your choice)
1 tbsp rice vinegar.

Mix all the marinade in a small bowl, then pour into a plastic bag, Ziploc is good, or any other you like.

Salt and pepper the loin to your taste, on all sides please, then put it in the bag. Marinate as long as is convenient to you; I prefer overnight, but 2-4 hours will probably do nicely. This will keep for days and days in the fridge without a chance of spoiling.

When ready to prepare, preheat your oven to 400 F. Put the marinade bag on the counter, heat 4-5 tsps of oil (sesame is great here, but peanut and olive oil work well, too) in a skillet, on highish heat.

As SOON as the oil gives off a tiny bit of smoke, put the meat into the skillet and sear it. Typically 1 minute per side (there are 4 sides to a tenderloin, and 4 to 6 for a loin depending upon how it's been cut and how thick it is and whether you've butterflied it or not).

Pour the marinade right over the pork (reserve some, for later, pour about 2/3rds of it), toss on some white sesame seed, rather generously is my preference, then put the skillet into the oven.

Bake for 18-22 minutes, or (BETTER) until internal temp reaches 140 F. This is why G-d made meat thermometers. Always test temp at the thickest part of the loin/tenderloin.

Remove skillet from oven and let stand for 5-8 minutes.

Take a small test slice; if it seems dry (it shouldn't, btw), drizzle the remaining skillet juices over.

Lots of ways to serve it. For sports watching, slice VERY thin against the grain, size the slice for small rye rounds. For munch parties, slice 3/16 to 1/4 on a diagonal, against the grain, and set the slices on a platter. Garnish if desired with poppy seed or drizzle a bit more honey on top, or be creative.

Assuming their all no pork-haters in the crowd (in other words, this is a perfect dish for Congresscritters), what you've made will VANISH.

Not kidding a bit.

[malia]

Shadegg says ----"Republicans promised the American people two things in 1994. First, we promised to rein in the size and scope of the federal government. Second, we promised to clean up Washington. In recent years, we have fallen short on both counts. Total federal spending has grown by 33% since 1995, in inflation-adjusted dollars. Worse, we have permitted some of the same backroom practices that flourished in the old Democrat-controlled House. Powerful members of Congress are able to insert provisions giving away millions--even tens of millions--of dollars in the dead of night.".

Blunt says ----"-----for the first time since 1997--passed reforms in mandatory spending programs to reduce the federal budget deficit. And after freezing regular domestic discretionary spending the year before, we enacted a real cut in spending this year".

Kosher says ------"Republicans need to prove to voters that our policies come directly from our principles. To rebuild trust in the institution and our commitment to governing, we need to recognize that most of the current ethical problems arise from one basic fact: Government is too big and controls too much money. If you want to dismantle the culture that produced an Abramoff or a Scanlon, you need to reform how Congress exerts power.

We must start by addressing the growing practice of unauthorized earmarks--language in spending bills that directs federal dollars to private entities for projects that are not tied to an existing federal program or purpose. The public knows the practice better by a different name--pork-barreling. Unauthorized earmarks squander taxpayer dollars and lack transparency. They feed public cynicism. They've been a driving force in the ongoing growth of our already gargantuan federal government, and a major factor in government's increasing detachment from the priorities of individual Americans. Earmarks have also fueled the growth of the lobbying industry. Entire firms have been built around the practice. As more entities circumvent the normal competitive process, confidence in the system erodes, encouraging others to take the same shortcuts."

[malia]

My mistake -- John Boehner authored the "Kosher" quote. Sorry