Well, it is a lean meat, relatively inexpensive, and if well-cooked, there is no problem with trichinosis, which still inflicts perhaps ten per year in the USA. But if you’re in Thailand around their new year (April 13-15), watch out for “larb,” for it is a local delicacy that uses undercooked pork and annually infects 500 during this period.
But the pork I’m talking about has to do with congressional earmarks. Interesting that Wikipedia has entries for Earmark (Politics), which presents the concept as almost acceptable and historic, but another one on Pork Barrel, as derogatory. It is the same thing. There is even one on Porkbusters, focusing on conservatives and libertarians (also mostly known as Republicans) who hate it as much as increased taxes. Of course, most congress people are not dumb enough to totally ignore this largesse and time-honored tradition to improve your odds for getting re-elected. There are noisy stalwarts such as House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senator John McCain and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who while claiming that the Obama administration is:
"recommending that we continue the spending binge,"
himself added 36 earmarks to the bill totaling about $51.2 million. It seems that only 40% of pork funds go to Republicans, but that is because this party represents about 40% of members in the House and Senate.
Pork barrel politics have been with us since the beginning of our nation and are also common around the world, known as patronage in some countries, and goulash, guess where (Czech Republic). Citizens Against Waste classifies pork as unauthorized, non-competitive, secretly processed and beyond the official request of the President. They publish a yearly Pig Book. Congress generally argues it is not a mere rubber stamp, and also has a responsibility to focus on priority spending opportunities.
Every year there are calls against earmarks, and this effort will necessarily be annual because Congress will never give up this task. President Obama has called for reform, and he TODAY announced what this might be: while he never said pork is good, he indicated that these add-ons should be clear as to sponsor, must undergo hearings and should focus on national priorities.
Senator Robert Byrd (West Virginia-D) was the king of pork, until he was this year replaced by Senator Daniel Inouye (Hawaii-D) as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. There are many in Hawaii hoping that he becomes the new king. Former senator Ted Stevens (Alaska-R) was famous for his appropriations. You remember the bridge to nowhere? Defense, where most of the money is located, was his specialty. He is now a private citizen, unless convicted and sent to jail. Wait, a minute, he was convicted on all seven counts, but, somehow, remains a free man.
About this $410 billion budget bill that President Obama is set to sign, government spending is increased by 8%, but EARMARKS, so ballyhooed as a national disgrace, only represent 2% the total. Thus, as Hawaii is one half of one percent the national population, our fair share should have been $410 million. We appear to only be getting $372 million, so, I guess, Senator Inouye is being circumspect.
But the pork I’m talking about has to do with congressional earmarks. Interesting that Wikipedia has entries for Earmark (Politics), which presents the concept as almost acceptable and historic, but another one on Pork Barrel, as derogatory. It is the same thing. There is even one on Porkbusters, focusing on conservatives and libertarians (also mostly known as Republicans) who hate it as much as increased taxes. Of course, most congress people are not dumb enough to totally ignore this largesse and time-honored tradition to improve your odds for getting re-elected. There are noisy stalwarts such as House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senator John McCain and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who while claiming that the Obama administration is:
"recommending that we continue the spending binge,"
himself added 36 earmarks to the bill totaling about $51.2 million. It seems that only 40% of pork funds go to Republicans, but that is because this party represents about 40% of members in the House and Senate.
Pork barrel politics have been with us since the beginning of our nation and are also common around the world, known as patronage in some countries, and goulash, guess where (Czech Republic). Citizens Against Waste classifies pork as unauthorized, non-competitive, secretly processed and beyond the official request of the President. They publish a yearly Pig Book. Congress generally argues it is not a mere rubber stamp, and also has a responsibility to focus on priority spending opportunities.
Every year there are calls against earmarks, and this effort will necessarily be annual because Congress will never give up this task. President Obama has called for reform, and he TODAY announced what this might be: while he never said pork is good, he indicated that these add-ons should be clear as to sponsor, must undergo hearings and should focus on national priorities.
Senator Robert Byrd (West Virginia-D) was the king of pork, until he was this year replaced by Senator Daniel Inouye (Hawaii-D) as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. There are many in Hawaii hoping that he becomes the new king. Former senator Ted Stevens (Alaska-R) was famous for his appropriations. You remember the bridge to nowhere? Defense, where most of the money is located, was his specialty. He is now a private citizen, unless convicted and sent to jail. Wait, a minute, he was convicted on all seven counts, but, somehow, remains a free man.
About this $410 billion budget bill that President Obama is set to sign, government spending is increased by 8%, but EARMARKS, so ballyhooed as a national disgrace, only represent 2% the total. Thus, as Hawaii is one half of one percent the national population, our fair share should have been $410 million. We appear to only be getting $372 million, so, I guess, Senator Inouye is being circumspect.
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The Dow Jones Industrials went up today, but only 4 points to 6930. World markets were mixed. Crude oil sunk $3.21/barrel to $42.61. Gold increased $13/toz to $909.
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Tropical Storm Joni at 65 MPH is loitering northeast of New Zealand and moving south, but not threatening any populated locale.
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