by Joseph Branch

Created on: September 20, 2008

While the addition of earmarks into appropriation bills seemed like a good idea at the start, it has become one of the most abused privileges afforded to Congress in our countries history. Every year billions of taxpayer dollars are wasted on idiotic programs which make little sense or are completely unnecessary.

First let us address exactly what an earmark is. Many Americans hear the term everyday yet have little or no idea what it means, let alone why it may be a problem. Oddly, defining earmarks isn't an easy proposition. Primarily this is due to the shaping of the terms meaning to the needs and intent of an appropriation bill individually by the forces of opposition toward the individual earmarks within. If a member of the appropriations approval process doesn't want it then it must be an earmark. If they want it, it becomes a necessity.

So for the purposes of this debate, let's simplify this issue. Earmarks are items added to an appropriations bill, targeted to provide funds for individuals, institutions or projects, be they in the form of a general fund or a focused payout, having either little to no useful value to the people or are so costly or controversial that the only way they can be passed is by adding them to a bill of such importance that it is likely to pass regardless of whether or not they extend beyond the actual intent of the bill. Sure, that clears it up in terms any Congressman should understand. In more human terms, it's like having a section of your home budget for entertainment and then adding a separate section for going to the movies. Oh, and don't forget to add $100 to check the gas mileage on the family car.

Now don't get me wrong here, there are earmarks that are valuable and necessary. However, it seems to me anything that good should be able to stand on its own merit rather than be buried within the muck and mire of another bill.

Another concern is the use of earmarks as a political weapon. Just in the last year several bills have been placed before our President, drafted by a Congress led by his opposing party, full of earmarks the creators knew would be next to impossible for him not to veto. This includes bills drafted to provide funding to our troops in Iraq. This has given them the right to say, "We tried to fund our military, your President vetoed the bill. It's not our fault!" Of course they neglect to mention that nestled within the bill were appropriations for projects which had little or nothing to do with funding the military

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