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Really now, this uproar about less than two percent of the federal budget, approximately 16 billion dollars, is all out of proportion. It is a convenient scapegoat, but in essence little more than hot air.
Besides, if the lawmakers in Congress don't direct those funds in the federal budget, the president does. It's not like we're cutting out that spending, we would simply be deciding that the president gets to dole out those funds, not folks in Congress.
And while yes, we do get bridges to nowhere and other such outrageous projects, by and large those earmarks go to projects that benefit our infrastructure, create jobs, advance science and technology, and better the conditions of people throughout the country.
But hey, let's get all riled up about sixteen billion while voting in 700 billion for more tax cuts for the wealthy. Perhaps the people will get so worked up about the faux issue of earmarks that they'll let those tax cuts slide, again. Better yet, let's let Jeb Bush, Bloomberg, Palin, et al decide where that money goes.
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