Pork Lives On

Although the Federal government is running record deficits in the trillions of dollars and the political class in DC shows no ability to control it, wasteful government programs continue to be identified for implementation by the Federal wing of the political class. On May 30, 2009 the Real Politics website listed out some recent earmarks that had been set aside for pet/local projects by members of the political class, despite the record deficits. These programs and earmarks include, but are certainly not limited, to the following:

• $238,000 for the Polynesian Voyaging Society (Hawaiian pork)
• $1,600,000 for a forage animal production research lab (Kentucky pork)
• $274,000 for animal waste management (Oklahoma pork)
• $1,791,000 for Swine Odor and Manure Management Research (Iowa pork)
• $1,900,000 for Hattiesburg 4th Street improvements (Mississippi pork)
• $800,000 for oyster rehabilitation (Alabama pork)
• $19,642,000 for support of health projects and economic development activities for the arctic region (Alaska pork)

As you can see, these and most other projects like these affect a very small set of citizens inside a particular state. Thus, the question that begs to be answered is why aren't these state projects paid for by each state's residents? If Alaska wants to develop the arctic region, then let the Alaskans pay for it. If it smells in Iowa, let the good people of Iowa pay for the solution. By allowing the Washington politicians to pay for these local programs and projects, the incumbents can look like they are bringing home the pork, increasing their perceived value and help perpetuate their ability to stay in office, despite forcing citizens from other states to subsidize their local pork projects. "Love My Country, Loathe My Government" and it's Step 46 would greatly help eliminate this waste by not allowing the Federal government fund any project unless it materially affected a large number of Americans in at least five states. If a program did not meet this criterion, then the state's own citizens would have to foot the entire bill.

I strongly believe that if a state had to pay for the entire program, many of these local, wasteful projects would go away, saving untold billions of dollars in taxpayer money. And, as we know from the book, saving taxpayer dollars increases personal freedom. On our website, www.loathemygovernment.com, visitors can vote on a long list of local Federal government projects such as those listed above. So far, every visitor to the site has voted against every project listed. Thus, there is hope that most Americans are beginning to realize how wasteful these parochial programs are and it is their desire to eliminate them or force the states to pay for them, saving valuable taxpayer dollars.