Pork crowds out funding for national security needs - GoFuckYourself.com

erehwon · 09-23-2004, 04:19 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...our-view_x.htm

Federal authorities are warning about a possible terrorist attack before the presidential election, and the Homeland Security Department is about to run out of money. So, understandably, Congress was in a big hurry last week to pass a bill that would keep the agency operating.

Now the legislation faces a snag. Not over how to divvy up funds for homeland defense in cities that might be terrorist targets, but whether to help farmers and ranchers in the heartland cope with a drought.

Congress is turning the war on terrorism into a vehicle for distributing pork back home. That may not be surprising, but it is, nevertheless, repulsive.

The Senate boosted Homeland Security's budget by $3 billion, nearly 10%, for drought aid, mostly for the Midwest and Great Plains, where many states are in play in the presidential race and fight for control of Congress. That and other changes mean the bill must go back to the House for further debate. If a budget isn't approved by next Thursday, when the fiscal year ends, the homeland security agency would have to shut down.

[...]

Examples? Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., pushed for three Piper aircraft for a small Montana college; Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, led efforts to provide financial relief for the state's fishing industry; and Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., won an unrequested $3 million artificial-lung device for a Pittsburgh manufacturer. More vital Pentagon requests for military pay, training, combat readiness and maintenance were reduced to make room for parochial spending.

Money isn't available to pay for such largesse. Congress will have to borrow it, adding to the record $422 billion deficit expected for this year and at least $348 billion in red ink expected next year. The bill for the planes, artificial lung and other gifts, along with interest, will go to future taxpayers.

09-23-2004, 04:19 PM	#1
erehwon Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: A secure undisclosed location... Posts: 3,759	Pork crowds out funding for national security needs http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...our-view_x.htm Federal authorities are warning about a possible terrorist attack before the presidential election, and the Homeland Security Department is about to run out of money. So, understandably, Congress was in a big hurry last week to pass a bill that would keep the agency operating. Now the legislation faces a snag. Not over how to divvy up funds for homeland defense in cities that might be terrorist targets, but whether to help farmers and ranchers in the heartland cope with a drought. Congress is turning the war on terrorism into a vehicle for distributing pork back home. That may not be surprising, but it is, nevertheless, repulsive. The Senate boosted Homeland Security's budget by $3 billion, nearly 10%, for drought aid, mostly for the Midwest and Great Plains, where many states are in play in the presidential race and fight for control of Congress. That and other changes mean the bill must go back to the House for further debate. If a budget isn't approved by next Thursday, when the fiscal year ends, the homeland security agency would have to shut down. [...] Examples? Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., pushed for three Piper aircraft for a small Montana college; Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, led efforts to provide financial relief for the state's fishing industry; and Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., won an unrequested $3 million artificial-lung device for a Pittsburgh manufacturer. More vital Pentagon requests for military pay, training, combat readiness and maintenance were reduced to make room for parochial spending. Money isn't available to pay for such largesse. Congress will have to borrow it, adding to the record $422 billion deficit expected for this year and at least $348 billion in red ink expected next year. The bill for the planes, artificial lung and other gifts, along with interest, will go to future taxpayers. __________________ Money NEVER $leep$...