Comments on: Michele Bachmann Lies (Dog Bites Man)

By: Paul Murray

Paul Murray — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:28:10 +0000

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere: under the american system, “earmarks”, aka: the legislature telling the executive where money must be spent, is one of the most important functions of the legislature.

By: Art

Art — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 04:24:01 +0000

With that guy as their leader perhaps the district really, I mean really, needs those small[short] buses. Kind of a short bus kind of place.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:34:23 +0000

In some stats (i.e, Minnesota) it is unconstitutional to pass a bill that does two or more things (in terms of making laws, etc.) so no spending can be added to some bill that everyone loves. The budget is a line-item veto affair.

By: _Arthur

_Arthur — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:21:04 +0000

It has been proposed that earmars be put either individually or on small lots in Earmarks Bills, that can be voted for or against. Not tacked at the end of unrelated or “must-pass” bills.

By: Mankel

Mankel — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:58:37 +0000

Yes, but what the conservatives do is to shape the discourse. In this case earmarks=bad, ugly and stinky, while what I do (whatever it is) is good.

After careful meditation for 50 seconds, I don’t think their ability to shape the argument is derived from some “superiority” or “master machiavelic (rovian?) know-how”, but from the lower instincts and diminished will for analysis of their base.

It took me a little longer to figure out where are the intelligent conservatives in this country. Now I know, they call themselves moderate democrats.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:44:25 +0000

Well, yes, and the funny thing is that most “earmarks” are pretty much normal spending that is typical, useuful, often needed, and not worth debating in congress. It is like saying “OK, 85% of this money we’re going to spend on federal programs with a lot of attention, and 15% we’re going to trust individual members of congress to know what is needed in her/his district”. Indeed, the items for Bachmann’s district were pretty reasonable.

The hypocrisy, is, of course, lying about the whole system all the time to everyone for personal gain.

By: Mankel

Mankel — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:34:01 +0000

Of course everybody criticizing her is wrong.
The secret is not calling them earmarks anymore, if she is the one proposing them. They now are a “little deserved push for the proud people of Minnesota directly from their diligent servant in congress.”