DOGGONE IT

I was going to write a magnum opus about how Congress needs to act like grownups for once, kill off the recently passed and pork-laden $25 billion highway bill and use that money in Katrina relief. And it would've been a stemwinder of an article. But Heritage has beaten me to the story:

If Congress follows its usual pattern, there will be much debate about how much money to send and where to send it, and in the end an initial package totaling some tens of billions of dollars will be passed and signed into the law. But these are extraordinary times, and Congress must rise above the “usual pattern” and show the American people that they too can be just as generous in their own personal sacrifice as their constituents.

One way to show such sacrifice and resolve would be to agree to shift at least half of the $25 billion dollars that the recently enacted highway bill (SAFETEA-LU) dedicates to frivolous pork barrel spending in local communities around the nation. As Mississippi and Louisiana confront the replacement of dozens of wrecked bridges, is it possible that Rep. Don Young (R-AK) could give up one of the two $200 million dollar bridges he secured for his state? Perhaps Alaskans could go without the one that will serve a town of just fifty people, who now ride a ferry? Such an example of leadership and sacrifice by a senior Member like Rep. Young could persuade the rest of the Congress to follow his lead and give up there own wasteful earmarks and pork until the $12 or $13 billion dollars is redirected to those whose need is dire.

I still may write the article--Heritage mentions one slice of pork that demands further examination:

The more than 6,000 earmarks in it add up to nearly $25 billion in money that could now be better used for a more urgent purpose than flower gardens, replica sailing ships, and bus museums. (emphasis added)

Any bets that those museums weren't slated for N'awlins?

(thanks to Peggie)