Why We Vote
The Register Star has brought together a group of people from all over the Rock River Valley to serve on our Election 2008 Voters’ Panel. These men and women are Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Green party members. Some are high school students. Some are retired. And some fall in between those two age groups. They all share this: The upcoming election is important and voters do have voices. They’ll share them in this blog.

Archive for April 4th, 2008

Earmarks

Add comment April 4th, 2008

I remember when earmarks were called by another, more appropriate name; pork.

Well, what are earmarks/pork? Its the process by which our members of Congress buy our votes with our money. What a wonderful situation for them. It’s a win/win situation. They get to buy our votes without risking anything of their own.

There was a crazy Republican who proposed a bill that earmarks be suspended for one year. Everyone knew it wouldn’t pass because, in Washington D.C., no one cares about the merit of a bill but only which party proposed it and will it help them get re-elected.

Being an independent thinker and a political Independent, I have decided that I will not, under any circumstance vote for Dick Durbin because he put himself and his party above the good of our country. Because of him and those like him, $17 billion of our tax dollars will be spent on mostly rediculous earmarks. So Durbin doesn’t get my vote nor does any incumbent. I will use my vote in an attempt to, “Throw the rascals out.” I hope enough of us do that that we can get a whole new set of fresh faces in Congress that will also ignore the will of the people.