Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Posted by: John Campbell at 12:05 PM

Recently, the non-partisan publication "Congressional Quarterly" reported that the Pentagon is receiving earmarked appropriations it has not asked for.

Most of these earmarks are destined for pet projects within certain congressional districts, undoubtedly slated to meet political ends.

In fact, 67 of the House Democrats who voted in favor to cut defense spending by over 20% are the very ones who have added $485 million worth of earmarked defense appropriations for various companies located within their home districts.

Blatant contradiction? Many of these Democrats have already defined the defense budget as “bloated” and “overextended”, but apparently the same characterization does not apply for such projects.

These earmarks put unneeded pressure on the Pentagon’s desired budget. In order to keep the overall total amount appropriated from rising, Congress cuts funding for programs that the Pentagon actually wants!

I don’t know about you, but I think the military is more qualified to make the call on what programs stay and what goes.

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Costa Mesa Don writes:	Thursday, September, 06, 2007 7:00 PM
Taxes and Gov't Spending
I'm glad there are "Bush tax cuts," but let's also remember that inflation is roaring along at a rapid pace. Since 2000, the dollar has lost 20% of its value, which may be good for the government but is disastrous for us ordinary people. Now, with the Fed-caused real estate bubble leaking air, and the Fed "pumping in new money," a growth in inflation is guaranteed with more money sloshing around in the system. Worst of all, since I'm quoting numbers, the federal gov't budget of $2.9 trillion, compared with the GNPs of the various nations of the world, would make Washington DC the 3rd largest nation in the world behind the US itself, and Japan, running neck and neck with Germany and ahead of England. A government with so much money to spend is a serious threat to the peace of ALL nations, and that's precisely what we've got....wars without end, US troops in 130 countries around the world, and wholesale confiscation of Americans' civil liberties. I hope Congressman Campbell will join Ron Paul's campaign to bring America back to its Constitutional roots, swear off the Empire and bring all troops home from overseas, and end the belligerent interventionist foreign policy launched by the neocons. America is under no threat from any other nation, except as blowback from our own aggressive policies. Economics trumps politics. Economics eventually brought down the Roman Empire, the British Empire, the Communist nations and it will destroy the U.S. unless we get our act together fast. Already polls show that 54% of the voters want Cheney impeached, 45% want Bush impeached. And a Zogby released this week says 26% want both impeached. The "crisis" is of our own making. All presidential candidates from both major parties promise to continue the war and even add more socialism. Ron Paul is the only candidate that truly understands the situation and how to fix it.
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About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.