I Like Bacon. But, somehow, I HATE "pork".

I'll keep this short and sweet, gang. Well, short, anyways.
What the hell. WHAT THE HELL. WHATTHEHELLWHATTHEHELLWHATTHEHELL!!!!!
Do our idiot politicians have any clue?
SHIT!!!
No, they don't, except when it comes to enriching themselves. They are, by and large, experts at that.
Earmarks SUCK. You may believe they are a good thing for the state to which they are issued. And maybe, just maybe, they are. BUT-
After just a bit of research, I found a few very disturbing things.
Here's a simple scenario: (All of these names and businesses are fictional)

JOE SMITH, A Senator from Idaho, has an affinity for the state's population of sexually confused, three legged beavers in his state. (Yeah, right.)

LET'S JUST SAY that there is a bill working its way through congress, for, LET'S JUST SAY, an increase for additional monies to take care of our wounded veterans at VA hospitals across the country.

SO, our pal, JOE SMITH, who really doesn't give a fat rat's ass about the military, but portrays himself to be a friend of the military, is going to waffle about the bill, because it doesn't include the proper budget for catheters, or some such crap.

SO, our pal, JOE SMITH, says that he will give his vote if there could maybe, POSSIBLY be some funds included that would grant research funds for the aforementioned three legged beavers. They are sexually confused, too, remember?

STAY WITH ME, PEOPLE.

Here's the earmark:
$250,000 for "Research of the mating patterns of three legged beavers."

The monies are to be granted to the Idaho State College Dept. of Beaver Research, whose department is run by BOB JONES, who is, wonder of wonders, an old drinking buddy of JOE SMITH.

The bill passes, and JOE SMITH receives a campaign contribution of $50,000 from the aforementioned college for his re-election.

WOW! It's elegant, yet blatant bribery.

Aren't earmarks wonderful?

And don't even start with me about what a small percentage of our budget they are. I don't give a shit. Principles still matter. Get rid of earmarks. ALL OF THEM.

Sorry. Not so short, and definitely not sweet.

Hugs n' kisses,

Stephen Charles