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Pork Barrel or Neccessary Spending?

Submitted by Gene Patterson on March 11, 2009 - 11:54pm

One of the state's biggest critics of the recently passed federal omnibus bill - is also one of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation's biggest beneficiaries of the so-called pork contained within it.

Republican Congressman Zach Wamp has been a vocal critic of earmarks. He voted against the 418 billion dollar omnibus bill - in part - because of the more than 5 billion dollars in pork barrel spending.

Yet - the group "Taxpayers for Common Sense" point out that he sponsored 12 projects - totaling more than 6-million dollars.

Those projects ranged from 2.4 million dollars fot TBI's Statewide Meth Task force to half a million dollars for the Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District to 237,000 dollars for the redevelopment of the Highland View Neighborhood in Oak Ridge.

No one is questioning the need for these particular projects (at least not that I've heard), but isn't it an odd stretch to vote against a spending measure because of the pork and still manage to make sure your district gets its share of it?

Other East Tennessee Congressmen also getting in on the "pork":

Fourth District Representative Lincoln Davis, a Democrat, sponsored five projects totaling nearly 1.3 million dollars. He voted for the omnibus bill.

Second District Congressman, Republican Jimmy Duncan voted against the bill, but managed to sponsor 8 projects, costing taxpayers just more than 2 million dollars.

And our U.S. Senators also brought home the "bacon."

Lamar Alexander sponsored 10 projects adding 5.4 million dollars to the bill and Bob Corker sponsored one project totaling 760,000 dollars.

Alexander voted for the omnibus bill, Corker voted no.

Comments

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Comments

Because I trust Jimmy Duncan,

Submitted by Bayard J. Donahoo (not verified) on March 17, 2009 - 8:45pm.
Because I trust Jimmy Duncan, I would like to hear him explain the pro’s and con’s of earmarks. His putting in eight of them in the omnibus bill certainly implies that he thinks there are good aspects of the system. I’d like to see you interview him on your show about this. Thanks.

same old one in offices.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 5, 2009 - 6:36pm.

Its time we look at each canditate especially if they have held offices before,because we in America don't want the same old ones only in a different office.Its time we as americans take this country back out of the hands of God haters, and tree huggers and the unborn baby killers. this nation deserves better then these people and we can do it come the next elections.Wake up AMERICA and lets take back our nation...............