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Return to Article: Watchdog group finds $12 billion of pork in defense legislation

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  Think of it this way, welfare by any other name is still welfare. At least with this welfare people are working, assets are being built, payroll taxes (and income taxes) are being paid back to the government and it keeps a lot of people off the streets making trouble. Last, it keeps the money in circulation so that eventually some of it does trickle down to welfare recipients in the way of free money...now that's what I object to.

  edible Posted March 16, 2005 10:17 PM
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  How do we put a stop to this madness?

  This is nothing, watch the pork expand once the National Security Personnel System is implemented.

  Patricia Posted March 14, 2005 7:38 PM
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  This article should not suprise anyone. They have to pay off the folks who got them there and payup for their next re-election. Put pork spending on the ballot in the rest of the elections and let's see what the "real constituent's" think. These clowns can't even get together intheir own chambers to take care of the real business in this country. Priority one is not social security or health care, it's steroids! These folks wouldn't know a steroid if somebody gave them one! Should be about #20 on the priority list. These guys don't even have the guts to take back their constitutional responsibilities from the judiciary. They are just a large group of soundbites! Just a note from one of your vietnam vet's!

  Mike Kelley Posted March 14, 2005 7:52 AM
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  Taxpayers for Common Sense should be complimented on their zeal. Hopefully, they identified specifics that need to be challenged and are pursuing them. But I also note in this article that the old cliche' "figures lie and liars figure" holds true as well.

  Who gives a hoot about the per capita dollar value? Alaska is not a very highly populated expanse, but covers a huge area and is the nearest state to at least some potential enemies. How about a dollar per acre or a dollar per mile value? I'm relatively certain that Rhode Island would top the first and Alaska would again top the latter, but those would be just as valueless as the per citizen values.

  Look at what is being purchased and use common sense (I know - very short supply in the Legislature) about what is being bought. We have many dollars in budgets down this way for "parade grounds rehab" because they are actually used and we have terrible little critters called fire ants. If they get the troops out on the grounds, it's a readiness issue. I am NOT justifying anything, just asking that they be looked at for what they are actually purchasing, not just the name on the budget line.

  Does anyone know where we can get the full report?

  Skeptical Posted March 14, 2005 7:27 AM
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  "Financing for Muscle"? Give us a break. That's like telling the obese to get in shape on the pizza and doughnut diet. Isn't that just the rationalization of someone caught with their hand in the cookie jar?

  If "muscle" is what our nation needs, then stop the incredible amount of waste in DOD and create a lean, mean fighting machine. Just as with the obese, it requires sacrifice and even some pain. We can't keep deluding ourselves by pumping money into the bottomless pit.

  Congress had better stop with the pork and the lame excuses and start worrying about getting our government, especially DOD, into shape. Just as body fat is bad for people, the fat in our government is killing our country. We can already see signs of an impending breakdown of functions. Who will do CPR when our government finally has the BIG ONE?

  Robert M. Posted March 14, 2005 7:06 AM