An earmark is a congressional provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects. In other words, a congressmen/woman would ask for a specified amount of money for a project that would benefit their constituents. Hence some of the stuff mentioned below. Don’t get me wrong, some of the stuff below is necessary, but not during these tough times. We need only to spend our money on things that will create jobs and stimulate the economy. That’s it !! Below are some highlights of both of the wasteful spending bills passed in the last two months. After you are done reading, please ask yourself how ANY of these earmarks mentioned below will help stimulate the economy.
$787 billion stimulus bill
-- Up to $198 million in pensions for Filipinos who fought alongside the U.S. during WWII.
-- $450 million NASA - for "Science" and another $200 million for "Aeronautics."
-- $28 billion is being provided to put kids in special education, Head Start and child care and development programs for disadvantaged children.
-- $100 million for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program
-- $200 million to the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program
-- $300 million for "Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs"
-- $900 million for the IRS for the "Limitation on Administrative Expenses"
-- $1 million for the Railroad Retirement Board for administrative costs
-- $2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Act
-- $50 million for Health and Human Services to carry out injury prevention programs
-- $1.1 billion for studies on the effectiveness of different medical treatments
-- $200 million to upgrade labs and facilities for the Department of Agriculture "to improve workplace safety and mission-area efficiencies"
-- $10 million for urban canal inspection
-- $16 billion to pay for student financial aid
-- $1 billion to pay for the U.S. Census
-- $600 million to pay for a fuel-efficient federal auto fleet
-- $650 million for the Digital Converter Box Program to help the constantly delayed transition from analog television
-- $485 million to the Forest Service for "hazardous fuels reduction and hazard mitigation activities in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfire"
-- Up to $1 billion for "summer activities" for youths as old as 24
-- $40 million for the occupational research agenda
-- $3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control wellness programs and vaccinations
-- $410 million for Indian health facilities
-- $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstrations
On February 25, 2009, President Obama said while addressing Congress, “Everyone in this chamber—Democrats and Republicans—will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me”. Why was the Omnibus bill signed a few days with 8,000 earmarks worth over $7.7 billion? What happened to “sacrifice”? President Obama’s answer is, “I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it's necessary for the ongoing functions of government.” I think sometimes he forgets that he is the only person that can demand for something to be done again. Why didn’t he throw the bill back to Congress and say, “Fix it.” Thanks again President Two face !!
$410 billion Omnibus Bill
Below are the Top 10 wasteful earmarks in the $410 billion Omnibus bill Obama signed in private, not in public, last week. According to experts, there are almost 8,000 earmarks in the bill totaling $7.7 billion.
#10. $1.7M for a honey bee factory in
#9. $475,000 to build a parking garage in
#8. $200,000 "tattoo removal violence outreach program to could help gang members or others shed visible signs of their past"
#7. $300,000 for the
#6. $1 million for Mormon cricket control in
#5. $650,000 for beaver management in
#4. $2.1 million for the Center for Grape Genetics in
#3. $332,000 for the design and construction of a school sidewalk in
#2. $2 million 'for the promotion of astronomy' in
#1. $1.7 million for pig odor research in
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