Ask the Advisor: Bringing Home the Bacon

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Ask the Advisor: Bringing Home the Bacon

Answered by Mary Johnson, Editor

Although waste is associated with much government spending, `pork barrel` is probably the worst. However, your article in the February 2001 issue presents only a few examples of those, it appears that several are actually beneficial programs. Appearing to be legitimate are those associated with agriculture such as: animal waste management research, genetic research of chickens, and peanut allergy reduction. Ridiculous and extreme are such things as carousel and opera house restoration, and street corner renovation. Since there appears to be holes in your criticism it would be nice to see the entire list. Is one available?
-J.N. Hartselle, AL

Editor`s note: I am reminded that what one person calls `pork barrel spending` another calls `bringing home the bacon.` Lists of pork spending can be found on the website of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (see below). For 10 years McCain has reviewed annual appropriations bills to determine if (in his words) they contain `low-priority, unnecessary, or wasteful spending.` He uses five criteria to identify such programs that include:

Unauthorized appropriations;
Unrequested locality-specific earmarks, research facility-specific earmarks, and other earmarks that would circumvent the normal competitive award process;
Budget add-ons that would be subject to a budget point of order;
Transfer or disposal of federal property or items under terms that circumvent existing law; and
New items added in conference that were never considered in either bill in either House.

The Advisor only has space for the briefest selection of `bacon bits.` Lists of pork in the FY2001 budget can be found at www.senate.gov/~mccain/pork.htm or the 2001 Pig Book Summary produced by the Citizens Against Government Waste, 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. 1-800-BE-ANGRY or 1-800-232-6479. Free with $20 membership.

To read our list of pork barrel spending (or bringing home the bacon, depending on your perspective) click on the following link: `Surplus Spending Spree Congress Sets Record for Pork-AGAIN!` February 2001, V6#3

This article first appeared in Volume 6, Issue 7 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (June/2001). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here.