Please pass the pork
'Pig book' names ridiculous spending of U.S. tax dollars
Amanda Marsh
Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: ViewPoint
As for Arizona Senator John McCain, I had to go back to the 2005 "Pork Book" to find his name. He was actually quoted for being against a bill that gave $100,000 to help with the overpopulation of Brown Tree Snakes in Guam. Oddly enough, the book does not list the senators or representatives that actually supported the bill. Even stranger is the fact that McCain has been quoted on the "Praise for CAGW and the Pig Book" page for several years running. Is he not listed because he praised the CAGW or is he really working to keep pork barrel spending to a minimum?
Presidential candidates are not the only things interesting about this book. The "Pig Book Oinkers of 2008" is a section of "awards" given to the most outrageous projects. Here are few standouts: "The French Kiss off Award" in which $211,509 was given towards olive fruit fly research in Paris, France. Another, "The Pig in Sheep's Clothing Award," appropriated $148,950 for the Montana Sheep Institute. And my personal favorite: "The Taxpayers Get Steamed Award" in which $188,000 was given to the Lobster Institute in Maine.
If knowing that U.S. tax dollars are being spent on fruit fly research makes your blood boil, then I suggest that you check out the "Pig Book" on CAGW's Web site: www.cagw.org.
As a voter, it is important to research not just about the presidential candidates, but how these appropriations bills are being passed by the people we elected. I understand that building and research projects provide jobs to a slowing economy, but shouldn't we look at other way to provide funding without using valuable tax dollars?
Presidential candidates are not the only things interesting about this book. The "Pig Book Oinkers of 2008" is a section of "awards" given to the most outrageous projects. Here are few standouts: "The French Kiss off Award" in which $211,509 was given towards olive fruit fly research in Paris, France. Another, "The Pig in Sheep's Clothing Award," appropriated $148,950 for the Montana Sheep Institute. And my personal favorite: "The Taxpayers Get Steamed Award" in which $188,000 was given to the Lobster Institute in Maine.
If knowing that U.S. tax dollars are being spent on fruit fly research makes your blood boil, then I suggest that you check out the "Pig Book" on CAGW's Web site: www.cagw.org.
As a voter, it is important to research not just about the presidential candidates, but how these appropriations bills are being passed by the people we elected. I understand that building and research projects provide jobs to a slowing economy, but shouldn't we look at other way to provide funding without using valuable tax dollars?