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Earmarks & Other Diseases of Leadership
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Information, news and opinions about
"our" federal government, and how to
bring about a return to leadership!
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LeadersReport.com
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Column - An American View (4/16/06)
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Archive - An American View
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LeadersReport.com copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
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An American View column and blog by Bruce Green - conservative & moderate political discourse
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We are waiting for real leadership in our elected federal officials.
Whether earmarks for "bridges to nowhere," studies on apple seed distribution, or grants to boxing clubs that don't want the money, our long-term Congressional legislators dish out explosively expanding amounts of pork, because they can, and we don't stop them at the ballot box. |
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Seemingly gone are the days of leaders in Congress that have the
respect of most members. Shrill partisanship is the norm from the leaders chosen by members of Congress. Those jobs are now much less about directing and achieving positive outcomes for the nation, but instead are about, "what's best for my political party." Members of Congress are choosing the most political people to be their leaders instead of the most experienced, pursuasive, or talented. Where are today's Lyndon Johnson or Bob Dole? We are led to believe that they are Bill Frist, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi. No. |
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In today's world of instantaneous news, countless press conferences,
and ad nauseam small political group forums, most members don't want leadership jobs, they want to spend that time raising money from out of state residents and companies for their next campaign. |
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The sometimes thousands of pet projects, most that should be the
responsibility of municipalities, corporations, or states, that are earmarked in large spending bills, is the latest stab in the back to our tradition of the citizen-legislator and local rule that worked successfully in our country for over 160 years. Powerful long-term members of Congress, unchecked by even limited term limits, deliver the riches of seniority to their district or state with less and less regard for the fiscal damage done. |
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The era of big government is alive, thriving, and will in enough time if
not stopped, turn America into a second-tier nation, just as France has become. We too will be bogged down by unfunded social program mandates that a further weakened political and economic system won't face without significant social turmoil. There is no manifest destiny for a 21st century nation overweighted with social program funding that is too generous and counterproductive to our traditional work ethic society. |
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It's time to make our long-term members of Congress short term
again. |