Republican Earmark Ban Won’t Stop Bleeding

Leading Republicans made a symbolic step in the surrounding area of the right direction when it comes to reducing the deficit when they voted to enact a moratorium on earmarks, but that alone will not cut wasteful government spending; It could just create more.

Top dog Republicans like incoming speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) have created a rift in the Republican tidal wave about the need for a ban on earmarks. Many Republicans including Senate Majority Leader for the 112^th Congress, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have pushed back against these earmarks. 

Cutting earmarks eliminate the distribution of money from various federal agencies, not the spending.  There is a common progressive misconception that states rely on the government for money.  Money originates from the states in the form of a tax paid by the taxpayer.  States fund these federal agencies, therefore; the people should decide where the money goes. 

This is why some Republicans are refusing to ban earmarks. Constituents should direct the Congressman on what they want their money to be spent on.  Banning that power from Congressmen takes away the power from the people to decide where the money is spent and puts it all in the hands of President Obama.  If you want to solve out of control spending, then cut the federal government budget.

The truth is, earmarks make up a small percentage (slightly more than three-tenths of 1 percent) of the annual federal budget.  So cutting these earmarks does nothing more than send a message that Republicans want to cut spending.  But sending a message does not cut the waste.

With the United States heading for what could be an economic downturn that would bypass a recession, Republicans should stop wasting time spreading the message they have learned their lesson.  The truth is America could care less about that.  This election was about sending a message that Congress has done a below subpar job of growing the economy.  It’s been 20 days since the election; Americans want less talk and more action. There is proverbial open wound in the government and blotting it with a tissue won’t stop the bleeding.

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