Support the Semper Fi Act of 2008!

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*

 

Comments

[Raven]

Well good sense and government don't go hand in hand..we all know that!

I bet a few thousand Marines serving in Iraq would like a gourmet meal once in awhile...in fact I'm writing to Mr. DeMint to ask for this. Why not?? If they're gonna waste money the least they could do is direct to those who deserve it!!

[Fraoch]

And why should MY tax dollars go to fund an illegal war that has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with greed and religious revenge (Bush's modern Crusade). Yet it can't or won't fund the rehabilitation services of the wounded soldiers and their families who they have asked to fight such a war? That's supporting the Troops?

Public funds are just that, public and belong to the public not the government, the Federal government works for the people not the other way around. It is a sad commentary that free speech and the right to question our government results in our own $$ being held hostage unless we agree to let them take away our right to free speech. You forget that money to Berkley is tax payers money, even tax payers in Berkley. Don't they have a right to say how it should be used? Seems like a case if you don't play by my rules, I'll take my ball and go home. Since when did we elect a government who act like schoolyard bullies?

As to our soldiers, I find it really ironic that we can fund an illegal war, with so many young people in the military as a means to get a college education, but when they come back shattered physically and mentally we can't find the money to help them or their families get on their feet. How bloody unAmerican is that? Maybe we should take all the $$ that is used for recruiting and spend it on rehabilitation programs for the wounded.

Why don't these congressman really but their passion and money toward making sure the promises that were made by the gov't they represent to these the soldiers when they signed up is honored? At least some states ( without federal tax money) are putting more than bumper sticker lip service to "support the troops" to ensure that all vets who served in Iraq/Afghanistan and Bosnia get free tuition when they return. That is supporting the troops!!

[Kat]

Oh, and the moonbats come out of the woodwork - what, it's dark enough that you aren't afraid of getting caught?

"Illegal war." How so? Explain exactly HOW this war is "illegal" when Congress voted in favor of it? How about explaining HOW this war is wrong, when Saddam Hussein had 12 years of flouting UN sanctions and ignoring the terms of his surrender from the first Gulf War? Baby, that Kool Aid is so old that even a PIG wouldn't touch it.

And now the hypocrisy just DRIPS -

Public funds are just that, public and belong to the public not the government, the Federal government works for the people not the other way around.

Yep, taxpayers' dollars - FEDERAL taxes that everyone pays, going to these stupid, senseless purposes? Hell, if Berkley wants this sort of program, then their local taxes ought to pay for it NOT MINE. How is the Federal Government working FOR me, when it takes my money and puts it to use in ways which do not at all benefit me. You would have had FAR more credibility if you had said the $2.7 million should be redirected from Berserkely to fund the soldiers' tuition about which you seem to be so passionate.

Your arguments are spurious and without merit, Fraoch. They are illogical, ill considered, and mere reiterations of liberal lunatics' talking points. Go back to grade school - you have much to learn before you can attempt cogent arguments.

[Raven]

Fraoch ,
It's not an illegal war...so your comment is meaningless. And so are your arguments.

[Isophorone]

Fraoch is of the "Say no to war unless a Democrat is President" variety, to put it kindly.

Wow, the space program is 50 years old? Now *I* feel really old as well!

[Stephen]

Two points: 1. The menu of Chez Panisse restaurant has nothing to do with the school lunch program in Berkeley. It is highly misleading, albeit entertaining, to cite some exotic items from this restaurant’s menu when referring to the Berkeley school lunch program. 2. The University of California is a state institution and is a separate entity from the city of Berkeley. It has an ROTC program; does not oppose military recruiting; and its chancellor protested the city council action against the Marine recruiting center. Yet the largest cut in this act would be nearly $1 million to the university Robert Matsui center. It makes no sense to punish the university for the actions of a city council over which it has no control.