Pork Barrel Pig

Washington, D.C., Jan 28 -

U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) today released the following statement about the massive spending bill before the House.  The legislation, which Rep. Brown-Waite opposes, is scheduled to be voted on later today.

“There is no doubt that our economy needs a kickstart to put us back on the path to prosperity,” said Rep. Brown-Waite.  “What we do not need, however, is yet another pork ridden bailout that produces few jobs, sends billions of your money to corrupt organizations like ACORN, and does nothing to put money back in the hands of American taxpayers.

“The best way to stimulate the economy and create jobs is to cut personal tax rates across the board, reduce the corporate tax rate, and better fund organizations like the Small Business Administration and the Federal Housing Administration.  These concrete steps would stimulate job growth, put money into consumers’ hands quickly, and help prevent future home foreclosures.

“The bill before us today does virtually nothing to promote immediate job growth or help struggling businesses.  American’s strength is based on the hard work and ingenuity of its citizens, not throwing taxpayer funds into yet another bureaucratic black hole.  A real stimulus package should return tax dollars back to the people that paid them, provide real incentives for American businesses to hire new employees, and help people stay in their homes.  The bill before the House today does none of this; instead it focuses on make-work government projects and pet projects of the liberal left.

“And speaking of jobs, wouldn’t you think that the best way to create jobs in this country would be to stimulate private sector investment and growth?  Sadly, this Administration feels that big government should get even bigger, and if you run the numbers, even richer.  According to a study of the bill published in the Wall Street Journal today, each new government job created by the Democrat bill will cost the American taxpayer $646,214.  Late night talk show hosts often joke about the inefficiency of federal government employees, but at least we don’t pay them $600,000 plus a year!

“It is also important to look at this trillion dollar spending bill to see what it does for the State of Florida.  If the American taxpayers are being forced to swallow this giant pile of pork, the funds should at least be divided equitably amongst the 50 states.  Sadly, when Democrat leaders drafted this bill they chose to give Florida the absolute fewest dollars per capita of any state and the second fewest dollars per capita for transportation of any state.  If my constituents are forced to accept a bill that puts their children and grandchildren another trillion dollars in debt, they should at least get something out of this bargain with the devil.  Instead they get shortchanged and still get stuck with the bill.  That is not fair but is what we have come to expect from this Democrat leadership.”