As the election nears, the term of the 110th Congress of the United States is nearing a close. Republicans, who were chased from office in 2006 for years of corruption, hypocrisy and pork barrel spending, have apparently learned the err of their ways, exclaiming that they are the party that will deliver Congress from frivolous spending and government waste.
But, unfortunately, even those noble priorities have fallen by the wayside in the throws of an election year:
Battle against lawmakers’ pet projects fades
The Associated Press
By Andrew TaylorWASHINGTON — Whatever happened to the Republican Party’s war on pork?
It never was the full-fledged assault envisioned by conservatives, but the GOP’s battle against parochial home-state projects sought by members of Congress has faded into oblivion.
Just months ago, most Republicans in the House swore off pork barrel projects — at least until new reforms could be put in place. The moratorium on such “earmarks” was to be a key plank in the House GOP’s fall platform, issues Republican candidates will emphasize in their campaigns.
Since then, it’s been supplanted by high gasoline prices and the weak economy as dominant campaign issues.
What can you expect from a party who’s message shifts with the prevailing wind? The best you can expect from the Republican party is a promise of lower taxes (with most tax cuts going to corporations and the filthy rich) and the ellusive promise of smaller government. Of course, if the Bush years have taught us anything, smaller government often equates to some of the largest expansions of a government entitlement programs in recent years. More on that later.
Don’t be fooled, Republicans will say anything they can to hold onto power. Voters should not forget the rampent spending and waste orchestrated under their watch, including the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005, one of the largest pork barrel spending bills to come out of the Republican Congress under Bush’s watch. Of course that bill didn’t fall in line with White House budget limits, but that didn’t keep Bush from signing it (with a big grin on his face too).
More on the Republican’s shifting platitudes as the months progress and other pandering opportunities emerge (and yeah, I think that’s Obama back there in the photo. Democrats are just as slimy as the rest of them).
