Dependency Breeds Ugliness
As you recall, Rep. Devin Nunes has sworn off earmarks until proper reforms are in place. As predicted, the rent-seekers in his district are howling. Check out this quote by a local lawmaker in Nunes' district, who now will not receive earmarks from the Congressman.
"We don't have time to play the political game and stand on principle when we really need the money," Reedley City Council Member Scott Brockett said Monday.
This, folks, is what dependency breeds. It's a "we deserve the money" mentality. Also, Brockett's quote is nonsensical. Nunes isn't playing political games. He's standing on principle. You can't do both. It's Brockett who is trying to game the system so that his council can receive federal tax dollars that aren't appropriated correctly, aren't subject to committee hearings, aren't subjected to oversight, and are currently used abusively by Congress.
Check out this quote:
"Earmarks are still a way of life, no matter what the other high-level conversations may be," said Barbara Goodwin, executive director of the Council of Fresno County Governments.
A way of life? When begging for money for parochial projects from the federal government become a "way of life" that is precisely the time when radical reform is needed. And that is why Nunes is making the brave stand that he is.
Here's one last quote:
"We need federal support," said James "Buzz" Burleson, chairman of the Economic Development Corp. Serving Fresno County. "It's only fair that the federal government participate in that project."
It's only fair? It's only fair? Gimme a break. But what is unfair is taxpayers getting fleeced through the earmark process. It needs to be reformed. Bravo to Rep. Nunes for realizing that and for weathering the special-interest storm.
