We are all happy with the formation of the government of the United States. It seems to be the very best of anywhere else in the World. Having said that, and being reminded of the record $413 Billion ($1,000,000,000.00) deficit, it's obviously still far from perfect. We citizens pay taxes to the Government and then they spend it as they see fit, usually for needed services and humanitarian purposes. 

Over the years our legislators have secretly inserted "pet pork projects" into major national legislation. This year alone it has amounted to $38 Billion. The practice has exorbitantly opened up the floodgates to cause the record deficit we now face. Of course there are just too many pet projects being funded to mention, but to remind us of where tax monies are being used I've decided to list a thimbleful “projects” lest we forget.

Congress got a pay raise in 9/2004 for the 6th straight year.

Also House staffer’s salaries raised to $156,848 with some Senators having nearly 100 members on their staff.

$200,000 for the Motion Picture and Television fund.

Funding for AIDS has gone from compassionate to irrational. ($13 billion more per patient than any other disease).

$10,000 for International Fund for Ireland. $100,000 for the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Senator Inouye had added to The State of Hawaii to where it now has the 3rd highest per capita total in the Country.

Investigators found the Department of Agriculture employees charged $5 to $8 Million in personal expenses which included tickets to an Ozzie Osbourne Concert, tattoos, car payments, and cash advances.

$25 Million for the Fort Peck Fish Hatchery in Montana.

$75,000 to the Greatest Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.

$250,000 for jazz music in New York City.

$700,000 for Erie Canal. $3 Million for genetic research of grapes in Geneva. fostered by Senator Chuck Schumer.

Federal Auditors reported they knew $25 Billion was spent somehow on something, but that's all they know.

The courts are awarding the (Un) American Civil Liberties Union Millions of dollars in taxpayer-paid attorney fees.

Each time a foreign dignitary is a guest at the White House, the US ends up lining their pockets before they go home, with Pakistan just receiving $20 Million.

We have become an Entitlement State which is fostered by our elected politicians' pet pork projects becoming legislation, and now Americans have become dependent upon it. This practice needs to be stopped. I rest my case.

KK © 05-27-2005