Russert exposes Ron Paul Earmark hypocrisy
Presidential contender Ron Paul said Sunday that despite his philosophy of cutting government spending, he was justified in requesting funding for special projects, known as earmarks, for his Texas congressional district.In the NY Times story on the interview the earmark hypocrisy is starkly presented:Paul, the libertarian-leaning GOP lawmaker from Lake Jackson, said on NBC's Meet the Press that he has requested earmarks "because I represent people who are asking for some of their money back."
"They steal our money," said Paul, during a heated exchange with the show's host, Tim Russert, who questioned whether he was being true to his convictions.
This year Paul requested 65 earmarks, more than any other congressman in the Houston area, including money for the renovation of an old movie theater in Edna and wild shrimp marketing.
Paul's congressional district also has been among the top in Texas in receipt of federal assistance since 2000, receiving $31 billion from Washington, according to a study by the group OMB Watch. In the first nine months of the 2006 fiscal year, the district received $4 billion in federal aid.
His district, which hugs the Gulf Coast, and reaches into Brazoria County, receives a substantial amount of flood control aid.
Paul said that although he has requested earmarks, he did not vote for the final spending bills that include the special projects.
"I'm saying I represent my people. They have the request, it's like taking a tax credit," he said. "That's the system. I'm trying to change the system."
With his anti-war stands and calls for limited government, Paul has drawn an intense following and smashed fundraising records, collecting more than $18.5 million so far in the fourth quarter of this year.
But he was questioned on Meet the Press about some of his past stands, including his call to eliminate the Central Intelligence Agency.
Paul said he would maintain a number, but not all of the CIA duties.
"They're involved in torture. I would abolish that, yes," he said. "But I wouldn't abolish their right and our requirement to accumulate intelligence for national defense purposes."
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...There is some indication that Paul may make a third party run, probably as a libertarian. With the money flowing in to his campaign, he probably believes he has the ability to make a small splash. If he does indicate that is his objective he should be excluded from future GOP debates. There is no reason to give a third party candidate free media.Mr. Paul’s defense: he may have put earmarks in, but he voted against the bills afterward.
“You got it completely wrong,” Mr. Paul said. “I’ve never voted for an earmark in my life.”
Mr. Russert countered, “No, but you put them in the bill.”“I put it in because I represent people who are asking for some of their money back,” Mr. Paul said. “But it doesn’t cut any spending to vote against an earmark. And the Congress has the responsibility to spend the money. Why leave the money in the executive branch and let them spend the money?”
“Well, that’s like, that’s like saying you voted for it before you voted against it,” Mr. Russert said.
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Here's how earmarks work:
ReplyDeleteSuppose you and two co-workers have a common lunch fund. You are debating what to order for lunch. You prefer Chinese food which costs less, but your two buddies want a fancy pizza with all the toppings.
Before you actually vote on where to order lunch from, you make it clear to them that if pizza wins, you are "earmarking" two slices for yourself. What the heck...it's YOUR money.
When the vote is cast, you vote AGAINST the fancy pizza expenditure in favor of the more economical Chinese food.
When you lose the vote, aren't you still entitled to the slices that you "earmarked" and paid for?
Ron Paul puts his earmarks in, but ALWAYS VOTES AGAINST THE FINAL BILL. When he loses the vote (which he always does because he is the most fiscally responsible man in Congress), he gets money earmarked for his district. If he doesnt earmark...that money will be spent elsewhere!...So if you dont eat your slices.....your buddies get to screw you out of lunch.
Do you get it now? Of course, the media won't tell you the whole story of Ron Paul's earmarks.