Garey Chambers - May 4, 2012

Earmarks should be done away with permanently.

Thomas Potts - May 4, 2012

Please identify the republicans wanting to roll back earmarks so they can be held accountable.

S Joseph Sharnetsky - May 4, 2012

Heritage should publish the names of any politician voting to bring back earmarks in any form. Earmarks have no place being in Washington.

Jeff - May 4, 2012

Absolutely!

Earmarks — like corporate contributions to political campaigns — are the enablers for statists, simply put. They’re bribes, just as the donations by corporations to political campaigns are a bribe for narrow interests. At least, they’re a bribe when they’re directed at a Republican politician’s campaign. When corporate donations are directed at a Democrat’s politician’s campaign, it’s more serious: it’s protection money. It helps to keep the regulators, the tax man and the justice department away.

Not only are “earmarks” harmful to the American people and our way of life for their corrupt nature, but coupled with corporate (not personal, not voter) contributions to political figures, they sustain bad practice and thwart change. It is how we get Mitt Romney as a presidential nominee instead of a conservative. Mitt, like most RINO’s, is pretty much committed to maintaining the status quo, which is the primary interest of most large corporations and big money interests. Don’t rock the boat!! Change is anathema to those interests. Yet, as Americans, what we need more than anything — and in the long term, those very interests which thwart it, need it as well — is major change in the way Washington views its mission and conducts its business.

So, yes, I unequivocally oppose earmarks and want to see legislation passed soon which bans corporation or other business entity donations to political campaigns. Voter only…and corporations can’t vote.

Don Ruane - May 4, 2012

There is a simple solution to the problems we face today. I know the feeling that nothing has changed in Washington. I cast my first vote in 1960, after graduating from college, for JFK. I vividly remember what the Professional Politicians, of both parties, were promising in 1960.Guess what, they are promising the same things in 2012, but they never mentions our 16 Trillion Dollar of debt.
I call my solution “Confusing our Enemy”. We Simply Vote for the OTHER Guy or Gal. If there is a Democrat in office, vote for the Republican. If there is a Republican in office, vote for the Democrat.
My solution is a sneaky way to get TERM LIMITS by enforcing TERM LIMITS with our votes.
If we all stop loving our Representatives for giving us, Band Uniforms and Post Offices, in exchange for our votes and toss them out of office, we would get a smaller government, balanced budget, fair tax system, a revamp of our criminal system and the best of all, a Term Limits Amendment to OUR CONSTITUTION.
It is our responsibility, to peacefully change our Government, by REFUSING TO REELECT anyone presently in Congress. They are the one how gave us the 16 Trillion dollar Debt
You and I were not around for the “FIRST SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD”, but we will be around, on November 6 2012, to PULL THE TRIGGER ON CONGRESS and send ALL of them packing.

Wayne, La. - May 4, 2012

It would better to create a priority list of projects. The projects would be submitted by members of the legislatures and prioritized according to need. An independent committee made up of economists, security personnel, engineers and others so designated, would decide which projects are necessary using such criteria as safety, security, economic feasibility, and other timely and important designated considerations. There could be a limit to the number submitted for review. No proposal would be automatically funded without a review from the independent committee. No project would be prioritized according to political expediency.

mareen waterman - May 4, 2012

I agree with Jeff-if the prohibition orf Corporate donations also applies to Unions! No union dollars, no union promotion of their members contributions of dollars or personal involvement..
What we really need are term limits!
Mareen Waterman

Randy Williams - May 4, 2012

No earmarks no matter what they are called. Those voting to roll back the ban on earmarks should be called out so we know who not to for for.

Bill Paetkau - May 5, 2012

Earmarks, in any form, should remain banned. The argument that these do not increase spending, rather, they merely direct it, is pure bologna. We don’t need another example such as Stephen’s “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska.
Republican ardor for any device that fosters illegitimate spending would fade if Heritage for Action used any such attempt as part of the “score” for that individual.

Fred Yates - May 5, 2012

When will we all get it?

Republicans come in two flavors Progressive (yuck) and Conservative. Until all the RINOs are replaced we are at the mercy of the GOP (yuck). Witness Oregon, the “Republicans” will not vote to use eVerify. Senator Morse (R) has his own ObamaCare bill.

I agree with others, Heritage should publish the names of the those attempting to scam the system. Corruption needs to be exposed at the bottom level so all can see it and then do something about it. Give us the facts, not just innuendos, else what service do you perform?

Almeda - May 5, 2012

I agree with Wayne. Why can’t we set up a committee like we did with the base closings (if my memory serves me correctly) where each earmark is evaluated independently to determine if the cost is worth the benefit.

Mary Murphy - May 6, 2012

Earmarks are a :”BIG” part of certain groups being
enabled to live like “Julia” from cradle to grave..
earmarks are “entitlements” and should be permanently
ceased…Just look at OWS..the occupiers are ALL ENTITLED to FREE EVERYTHING…If this keeps up…
who will be around to pay for it..?? Conservatives?

Barry Beverage - May 7, 2012

Earmarks are merely bribes. Government run by bribes can never be successful. The legislator you have to bribe to vote for your bill will be succeptable to a larger bribe from someone else. It is time for honesty in the halls of Congress…