House Passes Defense Budget Packed With Pork

By Marisa Schultz | New York Post: Congress’ defense bill is littered with nonsense-- ".. a massive $577 billion defense-authorization bill headed for a vote in the Senate next week is packed with goodies that have nothing to do with national security.. more than a quarter of the 1,648-page defense bill is dedicated to federal land-use projects."

By Brant Clifton | Daily Haymaker: National defense bill loaded with non-military pork-- "The US House is loading up a defense authorization bill with so much non-defense related pork that even The Washington Post is appalled..."

By jamesb101 | Political Dog 101: The House passes a grab all Defense bill….With cuts to the Military….-- "The bill also reduces benefits for troops and their families... It would also keep pay raises at 1 percent, freeze raises for general and flag officers, and reduce housing subsidies by 1 percent. The bill also cuts subsidies for military commissaries, where troops buy groceries, by $100 million."

By Leo Shane III, Staff writer | Military Times: NDAA deal hits troops' pay, housing allowances-- "The housing cuts and pharmacy co-pays were the final sticking points for lawmakers, with a compromise reached after nearly a month of behind-the-scenes fights."

RT: "US House members admitted they had not read the entire $585 billion, 1,648-page National Defense Authorization Act.."

COMMENTARY
Looks like the 'Tea Party' is over

It's a no win situation for voters. It all boils down to a coin toss when it comes to electing either conservatives or liberals to Congress. If it comes up 'heads' politicians from both sides win. If it comes up 'tails' voters lose. One thing all Congressional members love is pork. Not so much when it's on the others guy's plate so much as when it's on theirs. Fiscal responsibility ends at the voting booth much like the promises each made not to be like the other.


I Know This Shouldn't Be Made Light Of, Yet...Why don't you ever hear about burglars robbing politicians?
Professional courtesy.

If con is the opposite of pro, then what is the opposite of progress?

A seedy-looking man was sitting in the first row at a member of Congress's town hall meeting, heckling the politician as he delivered a lengthy speech. Finally the politician pointed to the heckler and said, "Will that gentleman who differs with me please stand up and tell the audience what he has ever done for the good of the country?" "Well, Mr. Congressman," the man said in a firm voice. "I voted against you in the last election."