Congress holds the purse strings of this nation. When money is allocated to federal agencies and programs -- bureaucrats, beholden to no voters, determine how the funds are spend. Earmarks by congress members (who are beholden to their electorate) ensure that money already allocated to federal agencies are steered to specific projects that will benefits specific states and communities.

While the process may not appear "fair," the risk of having no direct impact on how federal money is spent and directed to states and districts risks that federal bureacrats, who have no incentive to really learn about the needs of specific states and communities, will allocate those funds that will benefit their "pet" interests -- rather than the interests of elected officials. The earmark process encourages federal money to get to local communities rather than those "connected" into the federal government's bureacracy!

Think about it. Who do you trust more? Your elected officials OR some nameless bureaucrat office in Washington DC.

9 million. He just got hundreds of millions.

Congress spends our money. Do they do it by voting on a specific issue and deciding if it needs federal dollars, or to the take money that has been budgeted to a department away from that department and give it to their friends.

It is time earmarks were no longer the return on investment for big money, incumbents re-election campaigns, or lobbyists.

A city shouldn't have to pay some lobbyist to donate to a campaign fund of someone back in DC to get the help they need from the federal government.

I like the way Rep. Jason Chaffetz is doing things. Keep it up. It looks like it is time for Bring home the bacon Bob to retire.

All the blather about earmarks, but Utah loves it just like the rest of the country. Don't be such hypocrites.

Earmarks are the only way we get visibility and a say about where the money is spent.

They don't change how much money is spent.

Lets stop worrying about earmarks and start worrying about preventing government from unconstitutional spending.

How about a balanced budget amendment and how about a repeal of the 16th and 17th amendments. That would put government back in its proper role.

in tax dollars returned to states per 2005 results

Amount Returned to State per Dollar Paid in Taxes:

Utah Ranks #13 in Returned Dollars @ $1.61.

Seems we are sucking up to the US gov better than 37 other states.

BTW, New Mexico ranks #1 @ $5.00

Alaska #2 @ $4.81

Source: The National Priorities Project

The federal government has stolen most Utah's lands,

shouldn't Utah get something for it?


HOW much land has the government taken in those other 37 states?