Gov Huckabee~ 'Tell Congress: Stop Earmarks Now'

TELL CONGRESS: STOP EARMARKS NOW House Republican Minority Leader John Boehner has never taken an earmark - and he doesn't want anyone else to take one either. Leader Boehner has stated that during the upcoming lame duck session, the House will take action to ban earmarks - and although he doesn't say for how long - that's still good news. Even more good news on the issue came this afternoon when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined us and stated that he too will work to eliminate earmarks.  Now, Republican leadership in both chambers of Congress stands together and promises to push and earmark ban - and they should, because it's the right thing to do. Don't get complacent though, because this lame duck session is still controlled by the Democrats and it means much to the future of this county. The process for obtaining earmarks is controversial to say the least.  Many argue for the process by saying earmarks are not the actual appropriation but instead, are a means to get the money spent on a particular project.  For example, if a bill is approved promising to spend $10 million - Congressmen and Senators often put their own pet projects in the bill so they can receive some of that money.  Earmarks can have merits - when you're talking about dedicating money to dredging a harbor in Charleston, South Carolina.  However, it's completely absurd when you're talking about building a gazebo in your town square so a Congressman can have his name put on it. Sadly, the latter is what happens a large part of the time - and that's why you see the people of this country so upset - they understand using taxpayer money to grow industry in Charleston, but they revolt when that taxpayer money is used to build a gazebo in the town square and name it after "Congressman Pork Barrel."  Differentiating between the two is almost impossible, and for that reason Republican leadership in both houses and so many incoming freshman Republicans claim that money should never be appropriated at all - and that's something the people clearly understand.  With the way this Congress has blown through money a complete banning of all earmarks forever might just be the best solution. Either way, the perception of earmarks is toxic. Americans realize out of control spending must be reined in - and when you consider last year over 9,000 earmarks totaling over $15 billion were approved - you see why many think banning earmarks completely is the way to go.  Some say $15 billion is just a drop in the bucket so a ban on earmarks won't matter.  I don't know about you, but $15 billion is not a drop in the bucket to me. We must start somewhere and earmarks are as good of a place as any. That bucket full of misspent taxpayer money might have to be emptied one drop at a time, but regardless - it must be emptied.  As the late Senate leader Everett Dirksen put it, "A billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." Join me and sign the earmark ban immediately. Let's send the lame duck session a clear unified message - STOP CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS NOW. The Petition: I agree that our country must take painful steps to rein in spending and reduce the deficit.  I call on the lame duck session to show they are serious about stopping reckless spending and reducing the deficit by taking the step of permanently banning earmarks.

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If everyone knew all there is to know, they would not do half the things they do, including myself, therefore I must foregive them, including myself.