It's the Economy Stupid

[bolverk]

May 2008 Porker of the Month, Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat.

Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers, government officials, and political candidates who have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers.

[bolverk]

Porker of the Year Representative John Murtha, Democrat. In fiscal year 2008, he brought home 72 pork projects worth $149.2 million.

Of the six finalists for Porker of the year, four were Democrats.

And he is such a good Democrat, with disregard for his fellow congressman and the people.

"The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman was named 2007 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."