*$2 million so the Smithsonian can start a 108,000-square-foot building in Maryland to house its collection of fish, frogs, bugs, birds and other animals preserved in alcohol-filled containers.
Doesn't the Smithsonian charge admission, sell various items, have a magazine and ask for donations on a regular basis?
*$5 million to subsidize farmers' markets and roadside produce stands in 31 states.
Why aren't the various states doing this? Isn't it their responsibility?
$2.5 million to map coral reefs in the waters around Hawaii.
Again, why can't the state do this?
$16 million for fishermen and communities in New England hurt by federal fishing limits, and another $5 million for loans to commercial fishing operations there and elsewhere.
The state again?
$7.2 million to buy a second supercomputer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to forecast the weather. Lawmakers say the agency needs a backup in case of terrorism.
?????????????????????????? Oh good grief!
*More than $1 billion for veterans benefits and medical care. The House bill directs the administration not to use that money for homeland defense.
This is the only one that might make sense if it were to be used for the vets and not to line someones pockets.
To provide political help for lawmakers, the House or Senate bills contain provisions that would: *Boost Medicare payments to hospitals in the districts of eight New York and Pennsylvania lawmakers
EXCUUUUUSSSE ME!
Direct $10 million in aid to farmers along the Rio Grande in Texas.
Again, the state should do this.
Help the textile industry and two House Republicans — Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Robin Hayes of North Carolina — who cast politically risky votes for a free-trade bill Bush wanted.
Again the state and what kind of help for DeMint. (This bears looking into)
How much PORK is attached to each and every bill that is passed? Isn't time to stop this practice? Come to think of it, wasn't that a promise or was it just political rhetoric again - empty words, nothing but empty words. Who can you trust now-a-days?