Senators Now Decrying ‘Pork’ Voted To Approve ‘Railroad To Nowhere’
Senators Now Decrying ‘Pork’ Voted To Approve ‘Railroad To Nowhere’
Because Americans strongly back a timeline to redeploy from Iraq, conservatives have focused their opposition to the recently-passed Iraq redeployment legislation on the domestic spending that’s attached:
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “They used this serious effort, what should have been a serious effort to fund the troops as an opportunity…to get pork for various and sordid products back home.”
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS): “So why are we going through this exercise of heaping pork on the backs of our men and women in uniform and trying to put artificial dates which will not occur?”
We know this isn’t true. Just last year, these same conservatives endorsed the emergency supplemental bill that included $15 billion in domestic spending, including “$4 billion for farmers, $1.1 billion for Gulf Coast fisheries, and $1 billion in grants to states.”
The bill also included the notorious $700 million Railroad to Nowhere in Mississippi, reportedly the largest earmark ever, sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Lott. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced an amendment aimed at eliminating Lott’s egregious pork project, but it was defeated. Fully 18 senators who last week opposed the Iraq spending bill — including Minority Leader McConnell and Minority Whip Lott — voted last year to preserve the Railroad to Nowhere.
Here’s a list of the Senators who (1) voted to kill the Coburn amendment and (2) voted for the pork-filled bill in 2006, but (3) voted against the 2007 Iraq supplemental:
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT)
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
Sen. John Warner (R-VA)
Conservatives are complaining about “pork” now to distract from their real problem with the Iraq legislation: the fact that it forces President Bush to change course. These senators want to give Bush a blank check to wage a war without end; they just don’t want to admit it to their constituents.
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81 Responses to “Senators Now Decrying ‘Pork’ Voted To Approve ‘Railroad To Nowhere’”
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they have nowhere to hide
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:08 pmFlippity Floppity!!!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:09 pmWell Clinton signed pork into law and he even ate pork products too.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:15 pmWhile we know these Senators are hypocrites, Pork is Pork.
Democrats should not act as hypocrites by allowing pork just because the Republicans did it.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:18 pmMITCH MC CONNELL AND TRENT (WIGLET) LOTT ARE CRYING ‘PORK’ AFTER YEARS OF THEIR OWN PORK-BARREL SPENDING - WHAT HYPOCRITES!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:18 pmIs this the height of hypocrisy or what??
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:18 pmTrent Lott: First I was for pork before I was against it; that is, unless one’s speaking of my own gut - that’s one hellova pork-filled belly!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:19 pm#4 Pork happens. No bill would get anywhere were it not for pork. It would take a major overhaul of the system to change that. Grandstanding about pork is only trying to score political points.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:19 pmLott should really spend more of his own money on his rug.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:20 pmThese guys are also victims of the “Specter Syndrome” - with their haute level of personal hypocrisy. These days I’d be pretty concerned to begin making noise about anything because it is now a case of “he who doth protest too much” and they will be the next ones investigated. “Oh what tiny webs we weave when our sordid purpose is to deceive”….ahahahah! “Bring it on”….bring on the pork and the indictments.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm“Conservatives are complaining about “pork†now to distract from their real problem with the Iraq legislation: the fact that it forces President Bush to change course. ”
This bill will not force Bush to change course. If he signs it, he will then ignore the timetables — as he should. Congress has not authority to micromanage the war like that.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:22 pm#4 Pork happens. No bill would get anywhere were it not for pork. It would take a major overhaul of the system to change that. Grandstanding about pork is only trying to score political points.
Comment by JPark
Respectfully, maybe it is time we changed the system, no? Dems are no better then rethugs if they also fall into the same habit of spending money the US doesn’t have.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:23 pmBTW, who was Specter’s Chief of Staff who supposedly inserted that after-the-fact clause which Bush jumped on immediately to replace the attorneys?? Amazing how self-righteous Specter was at the hearings since he’s the one who inserted the clause and now pretends to know nothing about it. He’s an unbelievable liar and goes back to the JFK coverup days….along with Pappy Bush….and a whole host of other Rethugs who have corrupted and tanked this country.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:23 pmThe Bush support team listed and their being paid big money for that support. Don’t forget Lott’s new home built with the Katrina money as others still wait or lose their homes. It’s good to be a Bushie as the US Treasury is paying for those votes and the crimes. Just think 109th Congress and there’s the picture of what Republican GOP are up set they lost control to steal.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:23 pmtsk…tsk….these guys make Hitler look like Mickey Mouse, for cripes sakes!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pmDem o crats are full of pork
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm#9 I hear you can get nice ones for a buck in Baghdad.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:25 pmHey Zooey - maybe Lindsay Graham can help Lott out on a new “rug” since he bragged about buying 5 of them for five bucks! Lott’s rug looks ridiculous.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:25 pmLott’s new home?? Methinks that the public definitely needs more facts and information on that soon.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 pmI was wondering how long it would be before reports like this came to light. The 109th congress made a name for itself with all of its pet projects, and now they want to cry about democratic pork? I am not saying that what is good for the goose is good for the gander, but republicans might want to do a little memory exercise before complaining about massive spending bills.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:27 pm#11 unfortunately, you jest about “micromanaging” the war. In fact, no one is even macro-managing it so the mere idea of micromanaging such a disaster is incredublous and impossible. Besides, Congress CAN and WILL cut the purse strings right out from under the Bush Cabal of crooks soon.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:27 pmCynicon Implant Troll Alert!
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:28 pm#5 Demo crats after years of crying about pork now they are in charge and they cant wait load bills with pork.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:28 pmFrom Kos, here how a portion of the “pork” breaks out:
–6.7 billion in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. That includes aid for housing, public infrastructure funding, and aid to Gulf Coast commercial fishermen.
–4.2 billion in disaster aid for farmers wiped out or hurt by drought and flood. This includes aid to dairy farmers, spinach producers, and peanut growers.
–2 billion for port, airline, rail, and mass transit security.
–750 million for the health insurance of American children living in poverty.
Hardly the bridges and railways to nowhere supported by the GOP
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:28 pmI just sent an e–mail to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, including the above story, and letting her know that we are watching, and she, as well as all politicans, are accountable. Let your reps know that you’re keeping up with what they’re doing. We have reached a point in technology where that’s possible now, so ….. let’s use it.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:29 pm(There should be no reason for candidates to have to raise 25 million dollars to let people know their positions) but that’s another story.
They’re all going down….in due time….and the criminals will receive their just desserts. It’s all coming and the longer Bush and his Bush-League remains in office, the more critical damage they are doing to the Rethug Party. By the time 08 rolls around, there won’t be a Republicscum Party.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:29 pmHey Zooey - maybe Lindsay Graham can help Lott out on a new “rug†since he bragged about buying 5 of them for five bucks! Lott’s rug looks ridiculous.
Comment by veritas
There’s an idea. It’s obviously Lott only spent 25 cents on his rug….
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:30 pmThanks for the pork update, Mango. Let’s see how the fool trolls worm their way out of these facts.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:30 pmmitchy and tent are from the south, pork is popular there, but it never arrives to the people that need it.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:34 pmany comparison to what these fools say and what they do is coincidental, and or an accident.
if you eat pork, you are a fool. if you approve of it, you are eating it.
Ah, the GOP… the Party of Lies, Hyprocrisy and Treason Coverups (they love to cover up Bush crime family treason, as long as its done for corporate greed…).These GOP clowns are the most worthless bunch of people to ever walk upright..
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:34 pmLet’s talk pork:
The Repub. pork barrel
Oh, pork from 2003
How about this from 2005, showing history?
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:34 pmis that a confession, jake? somehow i have a really hard time picturing you in a blue cocktail dress…
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:35 pmAnd that isn’t egg on Jake’s face either.l
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pmI agree with Pennsylvania. Sure, republicans are hypocrites for bitching about pork after feasting on it for twelve years, but Democrats hit the Republican establishment hard during the campaign on this issue, but they are embracing the same bad habits.
Democrats should hold themselves to higher standards than Republicans do.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pmCongress CAN and WILL cut the purse strings right out from under the Bush Cabal of crooks soon.
Comment by veritas
They can absolutely do that, veritas, but I don’t think they have the balls to do it. They’re afraid of the “anti-troop” spin…
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 pmAnd that isn’t egg on Jake’s face either.l
Comment by ForTruth
Ewwwww…
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:46 pmBoth sides push pork. It’s part of modern politics. Got any real news like…
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:47 pmWhat about the part of the bill that gets our people the hell out of Iraq in 12 months?
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:49 pm#25 Right on Man! Use the system
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:55 pmI hate “pork” and “ear marks” - both the “life blood” of elected politicians. I despised and protested the bridge to nowhere when Repubs pulled the same stunt and I think Progs are displaying the ultimate hypocrisy if you defend this garbage.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:56 pmIs $1.2B for Veterans pork? Is the money for Katrina victims pork?
If I were a veteran at Walter Reed I would let my Senator or Representative know about what is pork and what isn’t.
$2B a week in Iraq is acceptable, $2B for one year helping US farmers is pork?
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:56 pmJake is that Bubba-goo on your face?
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:56 pmBoth sides love to pork it up, they pork anygthing that has a hint of pork. Porky would be proud.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:59 pmPork is just congresspeople batting for their home state to get a piece of the federal pie. It is and always will be a part of politics and there is nothing inherently wrong with it unless taken to an extreme like the bridge to nowhere.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:00 pmI think Progs are displaying the ultimate hypocrisy if you defend this garbage.
Comment by valiant venus
Garbage like this, Hagfish? You are a sad creature.
–6.7 billion in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. That includes aid for housing, public infrastructure funding, and aid to Gulf Coast commercial fishermen.
–4.2 billion in disaster aid for farmers wiped out or hurt by drought and flood. This includes aid to dairy farmers, spinach producers, and peanut growers.
–2 billion for port, airline, rail, and mass transit security.
–750 million for the health insurance of American children living in poverty.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:00 pmValient Hagulosity got her bony ass handed to her.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:04 pmhypocrites.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:05 pmPork and earmarks have a hugely negative connotation for some pretty obvious reasons. But in some very serious respects, its a Rep’s job to bring home the bacon for the state they represent.
The broad brush of ‘Pork’ paints equally and condensendingly over worthwhile projects and ridiculous attempts at looting the Treasury. But IMHO it was unwise to give such an opening to the GOP shills.
I have a hard time overcoming coming arguments that ‘they’re all the same’ when it comes to trying to point out that, in fact, they aren’t.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:10 pmThere are actual railroads to somewhere that are in dire need of overhaul. $700 million sounds like more than enough to fix them.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:18 pmGarbage like this, Hagfish? You are a sad creature.
–6.7 billion in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. That includes aid for housing, public infrastructure funding, and aid to Gulf Coast commercial fishermen.
Put the pork and ear marks in separate legislation not tied to DOD
–4.2 billion in disaster aid for farmers wiped out or hurt by drought and flood. This includes aid to dairy farmers, spinach producers, and peanut growers.
It’s called farming - and farmers have always had to contend with disasters of one type or another….Get business insurance.
–2 billion for port, airline, rail, and mass transit security.
We’ve already been hit with extra fees everytime we fly - enough is enough.
–750 million for the health insurance of American children living in poverty.
We already pay for a bloated Medi-AID bureaucracy. (Here in California, we have the added “benefits” of Family First for the working poor.)
Argue the merits of these programs on their own - don’t tie the hands of soldiers in the field.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:21 pmSome other astounding numbers I found from BorgenProject.org :
Annual Cost of Improving the World
• $19 billion: Eliminates starvation and malnutrition globally.
• $12 billion: Provides education for every kid on earth.
• $15 billion: Provides access to water and sanitation.
• $23 billion: Reverses the spread of AIDS and Malaria.
The Cost in Perspective
• $522 billion: U.S. Military budget this year.
• $340 billion: Cost of Iraq War thus far.
Sources: World Bank, National Priorities Project
Democrats and Republicans alike should choose to do some real good for the country and the world by supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals that Pres. Bush promised to aid in 2000.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:24 pmCongress has not authority to micromanage the war like that.
Comment by Cynicon Implant — April 2, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
Congress has the authority to raise and equip the military and control how taxpayers’ money is spent. They have the authority to declare war and control the funding for it, and, as evidenced by the Vietnam “war”, they can end a war. As veritas at #21 said, the “Commander-in-Chief” certainly isn’t managing this “war.”
Back to ‘pork’: while outrageous stuff like the “bridge to nowhere” is unacceptable, doesn’t every district send their representative to Congress looking for some benefit for their district? Our former rep, Sue Kelly (part of Newt’s ‘Class of ‘94′), didn’t seem to do much except support Newt, but at least got us a few roads repaved that were sorely in need of it. I think that one has to expect some directed spending like that attached to almost any bill, but to label all of it “pork”, no matter how useful and necessary it may be, is wrong.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:32 pmArgue the merits of these programs on their own - don’t tie the hands of soldiers in the field.
Comment by valiant venus
Call your congressperson, Hagfish. **yawn**
Put the pork and ear marks in separate legislation not tied to DOD
You apparently don’t have a problem unless the Dems are doing it.
It’s called farming - and farmers have always had to contend with disasters of one type or another….Get business insurance.
“Things have always been this way.” Are you from the 1950s south?
We’ve already been hit with extra fees everytime we fly - enough is enough.
SECURITY, Haggie. You’ve stopped wetting your bed?
We already pay for a bloated Medi-AID bureaucracy. (Here in California, we have the added “benefits†of Family First for the working poor.)
Wow. All children live in CA? F*ck those kids, right Haggie?
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:32 pmSo Valient is fiscally conservative. How nice. When’s the last time we had sound, fiscal policy which resulted in a budget surplus, I think I remember, I just can’t put my finger on it, wait….
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:33 pmdon’t tie the hands of soldiers in the field.
Comment by valiant venus
Yeah, you want all the rope for yourself.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:33 pm–2 billion for port, airline, rail, and mass transit security.
We’ve already been hit with extra fees everytime we fly - enough is enough.
Comment by valiant venus — April 2, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
But do you believe that current airport security is really making you safer? Even if you do, you must realize that the port security and rail security measures are laughable (if it weren’t such a serious matter) if not non-existent. Plus, if any of this 2 billion goes for inter-agency communication (lacking still despite acknowledgement that this was one of the major problems during both the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina), then I don’t think anyone could describe it as ‘pork’, or think of it as “enough is enough.”
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:43 pmArgue the merits of these programs on their own - don’t tie the hands of soldiers in the field.
Comment by valiant venus
Which of course misses the point; Americans don’t want their soldiers in these fields anymore and this is the best way to get the attention of the Decider who keeps them there.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:46 pmThis just displays the values of Bush cultists. To Valiant Venus, there’s no real difference between a “Bridge to Nowhere” and diaster relief for citizens with respect to money. In perfect sociopathic fashion, it’s just a matter of spending priorities. Right. Repubs have their bridges to nowhere. Dems have their citizens in need of disaster relief. There it is, right there people. There are fundamental differences between Dems and Repubs.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 pmWell said, Bluedog49.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:05 pm(Here in California, we have the added “benefits†of Family First for the working poor.)
OMFG!
Did this troll actually DISS a program that helps poor families who need HEALTH CARE????
Someone talk me down, because I’m about to hit the ceiling over this one…….
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:14 pmSomeone talk me down, because I’m about to hit the ceiling over this one…….
Comment by trueblue
No way am I talking you down off this one, true. That Hag needs a talking to. :D
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:17 pmSomeone talk me down, because I’m about to hit the ceiling over this one…….
Comment by trueblue — April 2, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
Trueblue, I’m not going to even attempt to talk you down from your righteous rage at Valiant Mighty Venus Aphrodite! :-)
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:20 pmJane,
We are just too good. :)
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:23 pmAhhhhhhh!
What a total A**hole!!!
(Nice to see you, Jane. Say “Hi” to Wayne.)
How dare that POS begrudge a program for the working poor?!!?
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:28 pmZooey, you are SO right, as usual! :-D
I hate to miss the fun, but I have to go home. God, I can’t wait ’til we have our computers at home!
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:30 pmJane,
I think we should start a fund driving thread for the “Jane and Wayne Computer Project”
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:33 pmHey, Trueblue, good to see you, too! Goodnight!
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:33 pmI hate to miss the fun, but I have to go home. God, I can’t wait ’til we have our computers at home!
Comment by JaneESchneider
We can’t either. :)
Say hi to Wayne!
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:33 pmBTW: Where the H*ll is the Mighty Hag?
…ooohhhhh….
I’m so angry.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:34 pmHow dare that POS begrudge a program for the working poor?!!?
Comment by trueblue
The universe rotates around the Hag, don’t you know that?
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:34 pmThanks, Trueblue, but as soon as we get our Home Improvement Loan, we’ll take care of it! Wayne’s looking forward to getting back to his blogsite, I’ll let you all know when we’re ‘in business’!
Bye!
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:36 pmZooey,
I’m so angry that she would actually bemoan that use of her tax dollars.
Grrrrrrr!
(You just wanted to see me go off on her like I did to Jake, didn’t you? Bet you had the popcorn ready!)
;)
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:38 pm(You just wanted to see me go off on her like I did to Jake, didn’t you? Bet you had the popcorn ready!)
;)
Comment by trueblue
She already got shredded on the Howie Kurtz thread. Check it out — toward the end. I just wanted to see you finish her off. :D
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:42 pmI’m there.
Be back in a bit.
Thanks.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:45 pm…HYPOCRITICAL al Crackkker sons and daughters of the CONNEDfederacy ALL…
…the obstructionist TRAITORS…
…with whom we must be “civil”…
…’til they bankrupt us ALL…
…to save the legacy of COWARDS, thieves and TRAITORS!
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:09 pmCome on Trent, is that a 1985 picture of you ? Come on now, tell the truth…
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 pmAH YES, COVER YOUR ASS TIME—GETTING READY FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2008, EH, repugnant-repub rightwingnut crank fudge-pachyderm SCUM? I LOVE THE SMELL OF ROASTING G.O.P. ELEPHANTS SLOWLY TURNING ON THE SPIT IN THE MORNING!!!!! HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!!!! HAH!
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 pmThis is great work, digging up last years Iraq Supplemental spending bill.
Keep in mind too that last year there was no need to twist arms with pork to gain passage. Last year it was mostly hard pork while this year it is mostly soft pork. By that I mean that there could at least be a reasonable case for much of this years spending while last year there was next to no case that could be made.
I have a bigger problem with the fact that every penny in this bill is deficit spending — all $120 billion. Where are the offsets? (Yes, I know, but this is why supplemental bills should not be allowed to happen).
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:56 amthis is reguarding pork spending, the democrats put the money to use, as i recall from the last 3 democratic presidencies, kept and even budget, while keeping health care down, and the cost of living, both bush and jr, with reagan, built the biggest deffecits in u.s. history. while Clinton left jr. with Americas only balanced budget, and spent more than any president on false information and probly a desire for a pipelinethough iraq.
April 3rd, 2007 at 5:56 amThe recent Iraq funding bill had some addidtional features that are crucial to the country. Our President and Congress have underfunded the Katrina rebuilding and medical attention for veterans for years. I would ask Congress to add on funds to other bills for education, health care, airline controllers, airline safety, homeland security, mental health facilities, environmental protection, drug rehabilitation, social services, police and fire protection, natural disasters, state infrastructures, early learning, alternative energy sources, toxic waste disposal, election reform, prison reform and border inspections to mention a few. Until we stop the carnage in Iraq, none of these things will be addressed. In fact the mandated No Child Left Behind program, which doesn’t work, has not been funded to this day. I don’t call these things “pork”, I call them important issues in a so-called free society.
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:25 pmFriend of the Rugs
March 19th, 2008 at 4:28 pm