Thanks, But No Thanks

Check out this cool viewing tool for earmarks--a Google Earth map.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Pork-barrel spending

McCain has been particularly focused on congressional pork, promising to do away with unnecessary earmarks - spending provisions that Congress members insert into legislation.

Obama has pledged to cut back earmarks and reveal them to the public. As a senator, Obama has requested earmarks. In the 2008 fiscal year, Obama requested $321.8 million in earmarks and got $98.6 million in the final appropriations bills, according to the non-partisan group Taxpayers for Common Sense.

McCain does not request earmarks for Arizona, but running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin asked for $200 million in the 2009 fiscal year.

Earmarks make up less than 1 percent of the $3 trillion federal budget.

Much ado about not very much?

Some earmarks, like this one in my backyard, sponsored by Democratic and Republican reps in Miami, seem perfectly fine. What's the big deal?

“$2,000,000 to Miami Children's Hospital for Pediatric Brain Tumor & Neurological Disease Institute”

Sponsors: Rep. Meek (D-FL) Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)