Funny how they were so against ethics reform a few months ago, but now they want earmark reform. Yes we do need it, but I can't help think that this is an election year ploy, especially when they are issuing this statement from a lobbyist funded retreat. They also had no problems with earmarks a couple of years ago when people like Ted Stevens was trying to build the bridge to nowhere.
So why want the change now? The most obvious answer lies in the calendar. Republicans know there is a really good chance they will loose the White House this year and even fall into a deeper minority status in both houses. If this doesn't help give them some votes then it might end up stopping Earmarks in a time when D.C. is controlled by Democrats and Republicans will not be able to get any of their own pet projects through.
Hopefully Democrats will join Republicans in trying to rid our capital of these budget busting earmarks, but it needs to be done in a way that is fair for both sides of the aisle and without sneaky loopholes that are so common in this type of reform.
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