One of the biggest things Republicans can do to regain trust is to pledge to never ask for or take earmarks.
There are some wasteful earmarks, but some very beneficial ones also. But this is one of the most exaggerated and cheap applause lines in all of politics. Not even 1% of the total budget. Eliminate all of them and it will accomplish little.
It's a cheap applause line, and little more. You're helping to perpetuate a myth. Entitlements are where the money is. I think there is more fraud in Medicare and Medicaid than all the earmarks combined each year. Why isn't that constantly mentioned by the pols?