USA Today reported last week $4.8 billion worth of earmarks within the continuing resolution to keep the government funded in the short term. Just when we thought earmarks had been ended we find business as usual in Washington. At least Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has attempted to put a stop to the spending which includes $18.6 million in unemployment for those with a reported income of $1 million or more and $20 million for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Massachusetts. Thus far, Harry Reid (D-NV) has obstructed any effort to stop these earmarks. What happened to the promise to stop earmarks? Career politicians are still in charge.
