Reply #2: I posted this topic because I thought it was kind of funny that [View All]

our lawmakers or lobbyists or both thought that a name change would make the situation just curl up and go away.

The thing that I find most offensive about earmarks or whatever they are called is that they seem to be tacked onto successful bills way too late for the voting legislators to read and understand what exactly THEY ARE VOTING FOR. I think time should be allowed for these earmarks to be ingested before being voted on - pro or con.

I do also very much agree with you about taking the corporate/special interest money out of the process. But truthfully, I never expect to see that happen because these perks are what makes the job of legislator so worthwhile for many leaders. Not all, of course, but enough of them enjoy these donations and favors and are not against returning the favors. They know that if they just hold on and sit still for awhile, the whole thing will blow over as it always has done in the past.