Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Posted by: John Campbell at 10:05 AM

You would think that Senator Ted Steven’s (R-AK) legal battle would be the sole occupant of his time, but according to an article in The Hill yesterday, it seems that his insatiable appetite for earmarks hasn’t been abated one bit.

According to the article, Stevens has managed garner more than $200 million in Senate’s version of the Defense Appropriations bill. The Senate appropriator’s recently disclosed that they intend to include more than $3 billion in project requests that the Pentagon has not requested.

Because of Senator Steven’s indictment and its alleged link to earmarks, you would think that the leadership on Capitol Hill would take a second look at earmarks, but unfortunately this article serves as evidence that it is business as usual in the appropriations committees, and the taxpayer is at the short end of the deal.

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Fat Man writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 10:15 AM
Send in McPalin!
They'll veto this kind of crap and make the perpetrators famous!
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wise woman writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 11:07 AM
Vote against these people in Nov.
Use your memory to get even. Remember those who sneak in these entitlements into essential legislation as financial parasites of this economy. Throw the Congressional flakes out and elect fiscally responsible people to represent us. Get cranky ol John in the driver's seat and let him turn up the media heat.
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Trampling out the vintage writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 11:39 AM
Shelly, McCain didn't.
Elect John McCain. No earmarks!
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bryce1 writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 11:59 AM
Ted Stevens?
Would that be the same Ted Stevens for whose 527 group Palin was a director? Or perhaps the same Stevens that Palin tapped to appear in a campaign ad where he tells the assembled voters that Palin was exactly the type of politician Alaskans needed to replace himself and the retiring old guard?
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ed writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 12:33 PM
EARmarks
NoOne knows more about BIG EARmarks than Obama.
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Trampling out the vintage writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 12:48 PM
Shelly, jibber jabber.
vessels, smurfs, foisting, presidential timber... do you even have an arguement against McCain not doing earmarks or are you just vomiting up your dictionary?
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Trampling out the vintage writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 1:08 PM
typical Democrat, everything is either
disguised or a cartoon character. What a waste of time.
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Say What? writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 6:09 PM
If we don't act, we will be doomed
I'm disgusted with the whole thing. Why can't the American public be permitted to vote on these requests? We have the most disreputable individuals leading the Congress and we're too busy worrying about the lies being told about honest, hard working people by the dishonest media. Ted Stevens does not represent the people, he represents himself and his bank account. He's not the only one either.
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Newt-Dog writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 7:20 PM
It's not the earmarks...
that bother me so much as the money for stupid studies like why flys are attracted to donkey doo. States may need help with infrastructure, such as shoring up the seawalls in hurricane prone areas so when disaster strikes, it isn't so catastrophic. Or a certain bridge in Minnesota. Some of that money going into those federal coffers come from my state too and I'd like to see some bang for my buck to make living here a bit easier and safer. I just don't like to see the money wasted on obviously dumb projects that pad the pockets of some bloated congressman's niece twice removed.
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conservativeman writes:	Thursday, September, 18, 2008 8:51 PM
White Collar Crime
Come on people, when in the hell are you going to wake up and realize Capitol Hill is not a seat of government but rather one giant money skimming operation. Go in poor, go out a multi millionaire on a $166,000 salary.
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FOWG writes:	Friday, September, 19, 2008 9:57 AM
Conservativeman is on to it
I agree with his assessment of Congress, it just does not go far enough. Congress has become a giant extortion racket, the envy of the mob. Consider, the mere mention of regulations regarding a particular industry is enough to get donations from that industry for "protection". Did you ever wonder why large corps. donate money to both parties? It certainly is not because they want to advance a political viewpoint. It is only to have influence when the lawmakers act outside the spirit of the Constitution and "regulate" an industry in the name of "the PEOPLE". Pretty neat system, use the legal power of the government (guns and prison) to cower the productive members of society into lobbying and donating, works like a charm. For more insight on how this system works, read "the Godfather".
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American Sweetheart writes:	Friday, September, 19, 2008 10:31 AM
Here are Obama's
Proposed earmarks for the FY 2008: http://obama.senate.gov/press/070621-obama_announces_3/?loc =interstitialskip He can't go into work to vote for anything, but he can go to work to spend spend spend! Here are the appropriations for 2009: http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FY09Appropriat ions
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Rosemary writes:	Saturday, September, 20, 2008 8:46 AM
No Earmarks
None - that should be a law!! Why do "we the people" put up with this?? Perhaps some are not paying enough taxes - otherwise there would be a march on Washington. I want to sign up for that march. At least 30% - maybe more like 40% of US citizens do not pay taxes. That is a part of the problem - what do they care - and many of them will get that $1000 Obama wants to send as an incentive - probably more accurately - it is a payment for a vote. No doubt the last "incentive" went out to the same people. Obama might not understand the nuances of trade or foreign policy but he got the picture pretty quick on earmarks and campaign donations. That speech he made about Bamboozle and Hoodwink - I think he understands what that is all about.
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Allan Bartlett writes:	Sunday, September, 21, 2008 12:54 AM
No Credibility Anymore Congressman
Since you've announced that you'll be voting for the $700 billion dollar bailout next week Congressman of all the toxic mortgage debt, I really believe you are no friend to the taxpayer anymore. I don't wanna hear anymore harping about earmarks when you vote to giveaway $700 billion to your Wall Street buddies.
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DVangura writes:	Monday, September, 22, 2008 10:30 AM
Not Yours to Give
Google the title and if need be cross reference it with David Crockett. You will find a great rallying cry against earmarks. The money that Shelly wants legislators to "give back" to their districts is not theirs to give!!
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Gloria writes:	Wednesday, October, 01, 2008 2:31 AM
I agree - no bail out
I agree with Allan - your credibility as a fiscal conservative is seriously threatened. Are you really going to let this administration railroad another hasty, ill thought out plan on Americans? Do you really trust Paulsen at all? He worked for Goldman Sachs. How about listening to real economists? Wall Street they should pay dearly for their mistakes, and tight credit is not such a bad thing. Maybe they will stop sending my college freshman 10 credit card offers each month, and maybe they won't be telling my daughter that she qualifies for a mortgage that is much larger than she can afford.
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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.