OK & TX U.S. Senators Introduce Semper Fi Act of 2008.
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008. The bill would rescind over $2 million in hidden earmarks for Berkeley, California in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and transfer the funds to the Marine Corps. U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R-California) is introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives. [...]
One earmark provides $243,000 in taxpayer dollars for the organization Chez Panisse to create gourmet organic school lunches in the Berkeley School District. Chez Panisse is dedicated to "environmental harmony" and their menu features "Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad," "Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis," and "Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast."
Another earmark would spend $975,000 in taxpayer dollars for the University of California in Berkeley Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, to create a new endowment and cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui. U.C. Berkeley currently already has a $3.5 billion endowment.
OK, may I inquire what part of the Constitution supports giving money for organic gourmet lunches and college endowments? What right does the federal government have to spend OUR HARD-EARNED tax dollars that way?
Certainly, giving it to the Marines instead would promote national security, which *IS* the proper business of the federal government (or perhaps it would be good to use that money to BUILD THE BORDER FENCE?)
And, actually, when I was scanning Thomas for yesterday's congressional activity, I was amazed and disgusted with all the drivel that even comes up for a vote!
- Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya
- Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
- Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I
satellite, the world's first scientific spacecraft, and the birth of
the United States space exploration program. - Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 99th anniversary.
- Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the special relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Just the first five results I saw... Now, I'm sure these are all well and good, and are items worthy of note and congratulations... But how about getting to the business of governing OUR country? How about something worthwhile, like, say... EARMARK REFORM?!
*hiss, spit* I've got all my fur ruffled in irritated indignation... *claws flexing*
