Roger Wicker has consistently ranked as one of the top purveyors of pork on Capital Hill.
Sunday's Commercial Appeal ran an article dealing with some of Wicker's pork barrel projects. While it is true that a lot of the earmarks are spent here in Mississippi, (
Thad is another "King of Pork") the circular trail of money is very damning for Roger Wicker.
For fiscal year 2008, Wicker sponsored 42 earmarks totaling $159 million, ranking him among the House's top spenders.
Some of the companies that benefited from Wicker's earmarks were donors to the Mississippi politician. In addition, two such companies hired lobbyists who once worked as staffers in Wicker's congressional office.
It gets worse, keep reading...
For Wicker, fostering relationships with companies that benefit from his earmarks has paid off well. From the $159 million in earmarks Wicker delivered for companies, local governments and other organizations this fiscal year, $113,950 in campaign contributions can be directly traced to those earmark recipients, according to a review of federal records by The Commercial Appeal.
Steve Ellis, vice president of the independent watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, describes that circular money flow as "pay-to-play."
"These people are giving money with a purpose in mind," Ellis said. "This is not because, hey, Joe Blow is a nice guy. This is an investment."
I don't know about you, but I feel like taking a shower after reading that. It is no wonder Wicker is a fund-raising machine. It is real simple how this works. Roger gets his money that he needs to win elections, and in return the donors get big federal contracts (that you and I pay for). When John McCain rants endlessly about "pork barrel spending", think of none other than Roger Wicker a true "King of Pork".
First, instinctual, knee-jerk reaction is, "Unbelievable!"
ReplyDeleteBut of course, knowing Wicker, it is unfortunately entirely believable. No less troubling, but definitely believable.
I still don’t understand why Mississippians would complain about our state getting this amount of money for: hi-tech jobs, economic development, city water and sewage improvements, transportation improvements, medical research, Delta flood control, Municipal police tech funding, funding for community centers, Agriculture funding, Childhood obesity prevention program funding, Funding for K-12 school programs, and funding for Minority Colleges.
ReplyDeleteWow, those all seem like things Mississippi needs, but correct me if I'm wrong. You would hope Ronnie would fight to bring funding like this to Mississippi. Lord knows we are the poorest State, with the fattest people, with the highest unemployment rate.
With the issues and problems we have I would not complain one bit if Roger or Ronnie was bringing home money that goes to such good programs. A different tune would be sung if it was a Democrat I'm sure.
I think the point of the article is the "Pay for play" part. Dirty is dirty no matter how much lipstick you put on that pig.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny chuck. Those all sound like things you would oppose the federal government doing as a good small government conservative. ;)
ReplyDelete"no problem" That's a new side of you!
I have no problem with fighting for Mississippi, but doing so only because of your contributors is a bit bad to say the least.
Of course I'm assuming a lot about you so if I'm wrong please do enlighten me.
ReplyDelete