Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Friday, February 15, 2008

Posted by: John Campbell at 1:53 PM

An article published in yesterday's Congressional Quarterly detailed the disparities of the current earmarking process. I will spare you each and every minute detail, but I did feel that the research made a solid conclusion…the earmark process is not fair even if you overlook the abuses and overspending.

Acccording to the research done by CQ and Taxpayers for Common Sense, the winners of the process are almost all members of the Appropriations committee, and they tend to be boastful of their pork, no matter how egregious. 15% of House Members serve on the Appropriations Committee, yet that 15% receives 49% of the solo-sponsored earmark dollars and cosponsors 32% of shared projects.

From these numbers it seems to me that now more than ever we need to hold the Appropriations Committee accountable for its actions. In my mind we need a change and an immediate moratorium on earmarks so that the process can be reformed to make it fair, equitable, and fiscally sound.

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Matt Lewis writes:	Friday, February, 15, 2008 4:15 PM
very good
point
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country before party writes:	Friday, February, 15, 2008 10:17 PM
Where were you
when under a Republican controlled Congress and WH, pork went up 1000% Mr. Campbell? Could it be it's all fine and dandy when the GOP is in control and spending like drunk sailors, and only not ok when your party is thrown out? Please, if you don't see the hypocrisy, then you don't belong writing anything on the matter whatsoever. When the GOP regains Congress in the future, will we see your posts about the earmark problems? I think everybody with a brain knows the answer is hell no. The GOP has been in bed with the pharmaceuticals and other large corporations for a good long time, and America is finally on to you and your crooked and corrupt buddies. So has the other side. It's the hyper-partisan gridlock that folks like you bring to our government that is the problem. We need to start over and elect true America patriots, who think and feel like Cincinattus. -America comes first McCain/Obama
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1Federalist writes:	Saturday, February, 16, 2008 2:49 AM
Country Before Party
You like to talk but you should learn the facts before you spout. Congressman Campbell has taken on Republican earmarkers and did not even get elected until the end of 2005, less than a year later under the horrible leadership of Hastert/Boehner/Blunt/Jerry Lewis, the GOP lost Congress and out of control spending is a main reason why. I for one am grateful Mr Campbell is standing up to the wasteful spenders. Be part of the problem or part of the solution and judging by your "McCain/Obama" tag, you are obviously part of the former.
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country before party writes:	Saturday, February, 16, 2008 8:43 PM
Another childish comment
from someone who is a total partisan, no matter the issue. Thanks for showing you believe in Bush more than you believe in America, Federalist1. I know when he was elected, and I know that being elected isn't a prerequisite for speaking out about Congressional earmarks. Not a peep before the GOP got tossed out of office from Mr Campbell. Not a peep one. Face reality, or keep drinking the Kool Aid. My Friend. -America comes first McCain/Obama
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sparky writes:	Monday, February, 18, 2008 5:26 PM
Hit 'em where it hurts
In the past I've donated to the RNCC (republican national congressional committee). They called me the night of the President's state of the union speech and asked for money. I told them when the placed Rep. Flake on the appropriations committee to give me a call. I told them I wouldn't donate again until they did something on spending and that appointing Rep. Flake would be a step in the right direction.
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Hitchhiker writes:	Tuesday, February, 19, 2008 11:44 AM
Conservatives are irrelevant
We are being pushed aside in the interest of winning over liberals and sheep. Casting a ballot for McCain in November is to concede defeat. Do not buy into the scaremongering that Obama or Clinton will surrender to the terrorists. If you do this, you have guaranteed that the republican party will forever be democrat lite. If they know you will pull the lever in resignation for the republican candidate, then you will be taken for granted forevermore. Do not complain when you are offered an even more liberal candidate next time. Your vote is assured anyway.
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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.