Reply #2: I agree with you but the Tea Party does have a point when they [View All]

[OHdem10]

say the earmarks give the impression to public of corruption.
Ear marks are the beginning of government corruption.

To the public it looks like they are buying and selling
legislative votes.

The Louisiana Purchase, the Cornhuskers shakedown, etc.
These are only two examples. To get these Senator's votes
they given big gifts for their state.

There were Democrats who voted 75 to 80% of the time time
with GWB passing his policies who received big time goodies
for their state. One Party buying the votes of members of
the other party.

It maight be better if they are more specific and make a rule
that the Earmarks cannot be used this way.

If Members want to designate earmarks for their state, let
the member go to the committee and advocate for it. This way
it is open and the earmark would be approved by a committee.
Not used to buy votes.