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As y'all know, NTU, isn't exactly a fan of the Bridge to Nowhere. And many of us have had some issues with its sponsors.
So I can't say that I'm disappointed the Obama campaign and the McCain campaign are fighting over who is most opposed to the Bridge to Nowhere. But, politicians being politicians, not all of them are pure as snow on this issue.
Sarah Palin has declared she said "thanks, but no thanks" on the Bridge to Nowhere. And it's true, that she stopped the project. But as this Wall Street Journal article argues, she killed it reluctantly after originally supporting it.
But, let's not stop there. Obama and Biden can't really be described as anti-Bridge. In fact, in 2005, both men voted against the Coburn amendment which would have redirected money for the Bridge to Nowhere to funding Katrina relief projects.
The only politician who consistently and loudly opposed the Bridge to Nowhere is the guy who hasn't ever requested an earmark for Arizona. Although he skipped the vote on the Coburn amendment.
There is one bright spot from the Obama campaign. Although he has requested nearly $1 billion worth of earmarks since he entered the Senate three years ago, Barack Obama has voiced support for a one-year moratorium. Hey, progress is progress.
Bridging the Bridge Flap
Posted by Dominic Rupprecht - September 09, 2008Thoughts? Add Comment -
good post but.. said on Sep 10 2008 at 12:15pm
good post but... said on Sep 10 2008 at 1:01pm
Bravo for McCain lack of pork- but as I see it he's a jerk because of several things, but mainly because of his opposition to inheritance tax. Seems to me he wants to promote an American aristocracy of permanent wealth with his opposition to his"death tax". Pass on Cindy's money perhaps? America First my butt- Now don't get me wrong- passing on a reasonable inheritance is great but multiple millions would create even more "elites". The government does need taxes and of course there is waste as with all huge operations. Eliminating all pork falls far short of a balanced budget- some pork is actually worthwhile but I think it is totally wrong to hid it in other bills. Perhaps a PORK ONLY BILL. Sorry to rattle on.
Dominic Rupprecht said on Sep 13 2008 at 1:54pm
As any reader of this site will attest, I'm hardly one to criticize others for rattling on. Either way, John McCain might be a jerk, but unless he's changed his position,he's not against the death tax. He's actually one of only two Republican senators to twice vote against the permanent repeal of the death tax.
This of course irks folks like me who point out that the death tax places a tax on money that has already been taxed (income, dividends, capital gains tax), is immoral (as they say, dying shouldn't be a taxable event), reduces incentives to save an invest, and serves little real purpose beyond making tax lawyers very wealthy.
Sadly, John McCain hasn't come around on this (if he has please let me know, it'll certainly make me happy), so I think you and the senator can be pals.