GOP goes cold turkey on earmarks

LA Times:

For years, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) has proudly delivered a cornucopia of federal dollars to the folks back home -- more than $82 million this year alone, including money for road improvements and medical research.

But he and nearly all of his House Republican colleagues say they are swearing off such "earmarks" this year to demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

The change of heart has set up an election-year argument over who is best serving their constituents -- Republicans who say lean times demand belt-tightening, or Democrats who continue to seek special funding for local projects such as buying parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains or offering healthier food in Chicago schools.

"This is an important step for reining in out-of-control government spending and changing the culture of Washington," said Republican Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon of Santa Clarita.

Democrats dispute that characterization and say earmarks serve a valuable purpose.

"During these tough economic times," said Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), "Democrats shouldn't shy away for one moment from their responsibility and duty to improve schools, rebuild roads, retrain workers, provide healthcare and invest in the people and communities in their districts."

Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Garden Grove, Orange County's lone Democratic House member, is the only member of the county's congressional delegation pursuing earmarks this year.

"As long as the earmark process remains in place, Congresswoman Sanchez will fight tooth and nail for every federal dollar she can bring back to Orange County," said her chief of staff, Adrienne Elrod.

Republicans hope the earmark moratorium will play well with voters.

"Earmarks have become a dirty word to the American electorate," said Steve Ellis of the watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense. "That's why Congress is trying to re-brand the term; they call it 'congressionally directed spending.' Good luck with that."

California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) said the public would understand the GOP's no-earmark position and support it.

"I highly doubt the American people would prefer a local project be funded by dollars borrowed from China rather than trying to bring sanity back to the economy to save our children's economic future," Rohrabacher said.

...

That is certainly the position of the Tea Party Movement and many Republicans. The Democrats continue to push irresponsible spending at their peril. After the tax and spend health care bill they will have a lot of explaining to do.