Porker of the Year
2007 Porker of the Year Winner!
DC Office Phone:
202-225-2065
Fax: 202-225-5709
http://www.house.gov/murtha
Email Form
Rep. John ‘Jack’ Murtha (D-Pa.)
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chair
FY 2008 Pork: 72 projects worth $149.2 million
Washington, D.C. - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) announced the final results of its online poll for the 2007 Porker of the Year. Rep. John “Jack” Murtha (D-Pa.) won in a landslide victory, receiving 63.4 percent of the vote. A distant second, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) received 10.6 percent, while Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) came in with 9.9 percent, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) had 6.7 percent, and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) both finished up with 4.1 percent. The finalists were chosen by CAGW staff from among the 12 Porker of the Month winners for 2007.
Rep. Jack Murtha has long been known inside the Beltway for using threats, power plays, and backroom deals to control spending decisions. There is an area of the House floor known as “Murtha’s Corner,” where the legendary appropriator dispenses earmarks. The overwhelming vote for Porker of the Year vote shows that his shameful behavior is attracting attention throughout the country. The congressman inserts pork whenever he can to serve himself and his district. In fiscal year 2008, he brought home 72 pork projects worth $149.2 million.
The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman was named May Porker of the Month for throwing a temper tantrum and threatening his colleagues over a challenge to the $23 million earmark for the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) in Johnstown, Pa. in the Intelligence Authorization Act. In 2006, the House Government Reform Committee called the NDIC “an expensive and duplicative use of scarce federal drug enforcement resources.”
Rep. Murtha became infuriated by Rep. Mike Rogers’ (R-Mich.) motion to remove the NDIC earmark. According to Rogers, Rep. Murtha warned, “I hope you don’t have any earmarks in the defense appropriations bills because they are gone and you will not get any earmarks now and forever. … That’s the way I do it!” Rep. Murtha also threatened a Boeing project in Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s (R-Kan.) district after he voted with Rep. Rogers.
Murtha violated House ethics rules by both failing to submit his required earmark certification for the NDIC in a timely manner and threatening to block the earmarks of those who voted against his project. A privileged resolution seeking a formal reprimand of Murtha was killed on a 219-189 party line vote.
His outburst was not an isolated incident. Rep. Murtha also purposefully put up roadblocks and barriers to hinder earmark accountability and reform. According to an October 2007 issue of Congressional Quarterly Weekly, Rep. Murtha’s response to a reporter’s inquiry regarding the difficulty of matching up earmark information in appropriations bills was: “So, you have to work. Tough [expletive].” The House Appropriation Committee included earmarks in its reports but they were unsearchable and the lists were difficult to read.
For flouting the rules and playing games with reform, while filling spending bills with pork and arrogantly threatening anyone that challenges his authority, Rep. Jack Murtha is the 2007 Porker of the Year.
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2007 Porker of the Year Nominees |
| The six finalists were chosen by CAGW staff from among the Porkers of the Month for 2007 |
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Wow! You know these six must be really big porkers when the King of Pork himself, Robert Byrd from WV doesn’t even rate on this list!
Can we write-in President Bush, for signing every bill that crosses his desk?
When people like Michael Moore say that Americans are stupid. People like Burke only prove him right. Hate him or love him, everyone wants to blame Bush for just about everything. Every American needs to pick up a book on how the US Government works and who is responsible for what. Spending is done by the Congress, the Pres can make requests. But the Congress puts it all together. The Congress is what has put this country in debt, not Bush. Take a look at all of the states that run huge deficits and you will find that a majority of them if not all of them are run by democrates. California which has one of the worlds largest economies by itself is about to go down the tubes cause of all of the dems that are running it are chasing all of the buseness’ out of the state so they can give all of the money to the poor and the illegals.
Brian-
Bush has used his veto power (yes, Brian, there is a veto power) less than any president since Warren Harding. There’s nothing stupid about asking for some accountability from the man who ultimately approves Congressional spending bills.
[...] Porker of the Year [...]
[...] Ted Kennedy is not to be considered, due to some form of double jeopardy… Take time to vote HERE. Explore posts in the same categories: Blog [...]
Burke-
I understand what you are trying to say, that Bush shares in the blame. Your flanking maneuver is somewhat transparent and understandably so because the list is lopsided with democrats, as is typical. I wonder how the bills would look after the Bush administration got through with them if they had Line Item Veto power? And another thought along the lines of “can’t we all just get along”. Remember Newt taking a stand against pork? What did the press do to him?
Can we write in Burke, for not having a clue. There’s six names to choose from, pick one. Bush is in office, now get over it..
[...] best news, though, is that you - the larded constituent - can vote in support of Shelby. He’ll need your support; the competition is tough with legislators including Jack Murtha [...]
Could you imagine what would happen if Bush did veto the spending bills that came across his desk? He would be called everyname in the book, and labeled as someone who doesn’t care about providing funding to America’s youth or whatever. The matter of the fact is that THERE IS NO LINE ITEM VETO to curtail some of this massive, ridiculous spending. What Congress has failed to do, and failed miserably, is to realize that it’s NOT THEIR MONEY. It’s the taxpayers money!!!
[...] Porker of the Year [...]
[...] http://swineline.org/porkeroftheyear/ [...]
I get furious when congress says they had to cut veteran programs when they’re spending this much money on earmarks. I’m offended by the democratic party wanting to raise taxes so they can continue this kind of reckless spending. We could cure the budget problems by cutting out all earmarks for 2 years. I think Murtha should win because I’ve heard some of his earmarks have been given to his son’s company. In fact, I think there is a ethical issue there with Murtha getting earmarks for family members.
Lonnie
I know people like Burke. If the sun doesn’t shine - it’s Bush’s fault. Sad little people.
What a shame everybody assumes it is bush’s fault if you recall he did veto the defense bill twice and then congress blaims him for not taking care of the troops but in reality congress is the one in control of the purse strings people always assume the democrats the are for the poor but in reality there personal fortunes are more than the republicans they are all about themselves they (democrats) assume that we (poor) need their help to get on our feet when in reality what the poor need is a kick in the butt to realize we have to help ourselves we elect our representatives so if we are not happy with them we need to elect new officals.
What is Don Young on this list for? 17M not even close to the others on here, smells like revenge to me.
Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed frequently and for the same reason.
[...] Porker of the Year [...]
What do you say about all tax-payers getting together and letting congress know that taking home the pork is not cool anymore? Maybe we could all start a movement that would allow the tax-payer to vote on their pork projects. What do you think?
WE WERE TOLD THAT ABOUT 10,000 EARMARKS WERE IN A RECENT BILL SIGNED BY THE PRESODENT.
WE ASKED CAGW FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES WHO SPONSORED THOSE EARMARKS SO WE COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
BUT CAGW DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST.
IF CAGW IS A CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION WHY WILL YOU NOT HELP VOTERS HOLD THESE CLOWNS RESPONSIBLE?
I don’t know who you contacted within our organization and I apologize that no one followed up, but at this time we do not have a complete list of the Senators and Representatives who sponsored the earmarks. We are currently working on putting together a comprehensive and searchable database. In the meantime, you can look through this listing of all the earmarks: http://demint.senate.gov/public/_files/2007-12-17_OmniEarmarkCharts.pdf
CAGW is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization.
[...] Porker of the Year [...]
I live in MIssissippi we really need some help with our laws for open government info and accountability . these good old boys down here make it hard for a concerned citizen to find out what there up to. Ark, is just across the river, RAZORBACK country SUE WEEEE PIG!!! must mention Blanch LIncoln she comes in mighty close,(but Jack Murtha gets my vote) if he’s against accountability that guys really!!!!!!! got something to hide! If i’m not mistaken doesn’t he get lots of earmarks for gun,tanks,etc!!! The lobbiest that dont want the war to end must love him. BIG MONEY
[...] + 2007 Porker of the Year Winner! [...]
May I nominate Barack Obama? His Church is Trinity United Church of Christ. It’s vision as stated in the church site is as follows:
About Us
We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian… Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain “true to our native land,” the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.
The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:
A congregation committed to ADORATION.
A congregation preaching SALVATION.
A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.
Body Armor or Pork? What will it be Rep. Murtha? What will you sacrifice to defeat terrorism? A new project for your district, or the lives of Americans?
Murtha! I’ll bet you took a lot of crap with a prissy name like that when you were a kid. What do I mean when you were a kid? Hell, you still are a kid you little pork belly. You put me in mind of Eric Cartman on the cartoon South Park. If widdle Murtha doesn’t get his way, he either sits and obsesses about how he’s going to get revenge or he just turns up his widdle piggy nose and says, “&uck you guys, I’m going home” What goes around comes around Porky. You’d better watch that big fat pimply backside of yours Johnny. I’m sure the Republicans have painted a nice big fat bullseye on that big fat backside of yours and if John McCain gets elected President, you’d better find a nice big fat whole to hide in Porky!
too bad none of these porkers are in my area so i could have the pleasure of voting against them.
Unless the voters in a congressional district can wean themselves off of the pork provided by their congress person, the free spending congress person will continue to get reelected. That’s how the system works and most representatives know it.
How can a potential candidate get elected over an incumbent who has consistently provided pork projects to his constituency?
I can hear the campaign slogan now - “I promise NOT to funnel any federal money into my district unlike your current congress person.”
Most voters want the federal money to keep flowing into their pockets and not into the pockets of people from other districts!
The American people are just as responsible for pork barrel spending as are our Congressmen. We bury our heads in the sand and let them continually get away with their excessive spending habits, and then we keep reelecting them and wonder why we keep getting the same old results.
We spend all our time debating who will be the best candidate for president, but totally ignore those who are running for Congress. The political parties control the “in crowd” and decide who ought to be running for office. They simply give us a choice of possible candidates, most of which the majority would never recommend themselves. These people are strictly party oriented, and as long as these two parties (Republican and Democrat) are in control of Congress nothing will ever change.
During election years they give the appearance of standing for issues on both ends of the spectrum which are often referred to as “conservatism or liberalism,” thus giving their constituents a clear choice between idealogies.
It is just “smoke and mirrors,” because when the dust settles and the elections are over, they go back to business as usual “wheeling and dealing” in secrecy behind closed doors. They periodically go on television to give the appearance they are trying to do the “people’s business,” while in actuality they are selling us out lock, stock, and barrel; the whole bunch of them. And when we don’t like what they do they decry “partisan politics.”
They make it more convenient for foreigners to do business in America than U.S. enterprises. They make secret deals with countries like China, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc., that will never see the day of light until it is too late to do anything about it. Pork barrel spending is just a tip of the iceberg.
There are many other deals that go on in secrecy that will never be known except for an occasional whistle blowers who gets fed up with their shennigans. We think we really have a choice in the selection process of our political candidates, but I’ve got news for you . . . it is just an illusion. How many people really believe that John McCain and Barak Obama are the “people’s choice?”
If the truth be known the majority of Americans would say, “Is this the best this country has to offer?” It is in the vested interest of both parties to keep the country divided along political lines. That way they can blame the other for deadlock in legislation, and concentrate on bills that serve the common good of both parties. After the elections both parties will often come together in what is known as the honeymoon phase and they will give the appearance of unity and brotherly love. Although they distinguish themselves by political party affiliation there is not an ounce of difference between them. They both have a socialist agenda.
Perhaps some of them (mostly newly elected officials) are idealists and think they can go against the establishment and those who are entrenched in the party, known as “party loyalists,” but they soon learn the facts of life and if they don’t play the game the way it’s supposed to be played they soon discover there is little they can do to bring about the change they promised their constituents. And for the rest of them, business goes on as usual, calling one another “my friend.”
Many think they know the inner workings of politics, but this is an insiders game, and only those who are a part of it get to play. Many of these same people after they leave government or the military soon become lobbyists, and many of them are even registered as foreign agents under the “Foreign Agents Registration Act,” which means they now represent foreign businesses and interests of foreign enterprises, using insider information and contacts to push legislation through Congress and to put pressure upon other Congressmen, the White House, and the President to support a particular bill that will enhance their benefactor or client.
It is interesting that many of these same people continue to have the ear of important people, and are sometimes invited to participate in workshops, think tanks, or sit in on cabinet meetings and other important meetings such as the National Security Council to discuss matters of interest to our government, and no one questions the fact and are probably unaware that these individuals are acting as “foreign agents” with conflict of interests to that of our nation.
Pork barrel spending is nothing compared to all the secret deals that are made behind closed doors with foreign nations to prop up dictators and tyrants who rule those nations just to keep them on our side by wheeling and dealing, and making promises. Politics is a very dirty game and the more things change the more they remain the same regardless of which party gains control of the White House or the Congress. These people and their idealogies are deeply entrenched, and that’s one reason they are called “Washington insiders.” They become a group of the elite who make all the decisions affecting the outcome of everything that goes on in this country, good or bad.
Barak Obama promises change and he espouses that his Administration will be different, but despite his promises, his Administration will no doubt be entrenched with Washington insiders and bureaucrats from previous Administrations who will make up his cabinet and hold various offices. The only choice voters get to make is between which socialist philosophies they want to support, progressive or conservative? Hardline Stalinist idealogies or Fabianism? Regardless it will be a Collectivist agenda which supports the theory of Marxist ideology which says, “Individual rights become subordinated to the so-called greater good.”
It is going to be interesting to see which candidate the people chose come November, and what the next four years is going to be like. It is going to be even more interesting to see how many pork barrel spenders the people reelect and what new projects they will support to financially enhance themselves and the cronies who back them. The only thing that can stop these people from their wantant disregard for spending is for organizations like Citizens Against Government Waste bringing these things to the light of day, and to prosecute them for their fraud, misuse, and misappropriation of government funds which have been expropriated from hard working Americans through the legalized plundering called taxes.
In addition to pork barrel spending, this ought to give you a good idea just what foreign agents are doing as they lobby Congress and other U.S. Government officials for favors and special interests, how much money they earn, and specific interests they have in government to government relations, etc. Check this out this web page: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fara/reports/June30-2007.pdf
Also take a look at annual Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) reports to Congress by the Department of Justice for previous years:
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fara/links/annualrpts.html
SOLUTION:
BE AN “Independent” and do not vote according to Party lines. Read and study all opinions. Listen to all debates. Stay clear of “Flip-flops” Make sure that they are “Christians” Vote for one who can be hard nosed and remain a “Negotiator” to deal with countries like Iran and not be foollish enough to go to war if possible.
ONE PROBLEM: We cannot control by vote, the Vice Pres. and because he is the VP, he has much more power than the Pres..If he makes a mistake. “The Buck stops with the Pres.”
PROBLEM IS: We co not have much choice, do we.