Slog - Comments on Breaking A Fine Tradition in Washington Pork http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington The AP reports today that Republican Representatives Dave Reichert and Cathy McMorris Rodgers are "taking a one-year break from pet projects known as earmarks." The two Washington state members of Congress say they will voluntarily adopt a one-year moratorium as a way to protest a system they say has been abused for personal and political gain. Like heck they will! I don't live in either Congresspersons' district, but if I did, I wouldn't have not voted against them just so they can turn their backs on the barrels of pork our State so richly deserves. If Maggie Magnuson, Scoop... Copyright 2008 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:39:45 -0800 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:18:03 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Big Sven I do live in Dave Reichert's distict. I was never going to vote for him in a million years, but now that I've read this, I'm never going to vote for him in a BILLION years. So there.

Go Darcy!

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969579 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969579 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:46:57 -0800 Comment by max solomon how election-year brave of him!

hey dave, it took you 20 years to catch a RETARDED serial killer.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969591 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969591 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:53:42 -0800 Comment by Smade I live in McMorris' district and while she's not getting my vote, I like the position. I don't send representatives to Washington to cart back goodies. I send them there to make this a better country for everybody, not just the goons in the 5th.

]]> Smade http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969675 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969675 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:20:00 -0800 Comment by irony Isn't it interesting that they didn't take this bold step BEFORE they were relegated to the minority?

It's almost like they didn't have a problem with earmarks when their corrupt R buddies were chairing the appropriations committees, but now that they can't abuse things for their own personal and political gain it's time to take a stand...

The sad thing is that this will hurt their districts in the end. It's hard for someone in the minority to push through pork, so it's more likely that any earmarks they won for their district would be for projects that legitimately benefit the community. There's no defense for using the process for personal gain, but things have become more transparent than a couple of years ago when the R majority was running rampant and giving everyone a good reason to raise concerns.

]]> irony http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969765 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969765 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:52:28 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Won't work.

People still won't vote for them.

It's Blue Tidal Wave season - and it's coming for THEM!

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969934 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c969934 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:10:59 -0800 Comment by vooodooo84 @4 The trough flows through both parties at all times, the system works so that any member can get this stuff even when in the minority. It is just a lot easier as the majority

]]> vooodooo84 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c970042 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/breaking_a_fine_tradition_in_washington#c970042 Politics Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:18:03 -0800