Obama and earmarks; for or against?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2008
Obama and earmarks; for or against?
6
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 1:24am
All this talk about earmarks has me curious. Does anyone know if Obama is for them or against them? Is it true that he has spent 1 billion (that's a B as in billion) dollars on earmarks in the short time he has been in Congress? I'm genuinely curious.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2008
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 1:40am

From what I can find it appears Obama requested 1 billion dollars in earmarks, but didn't receive all that he asked for. Whew, that's good news.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2008
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 1:44am

I heard Barack asked for money for Illinois last year, but Sarah has asked for the most of all of the states - per capita for Alaska. I bet she's sorry she brought up that issue. lol.

In addition to earmarks, here's one way she used our money. She's more of an expense than Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae ever were(according to Sarah. Her biggest gaffe of the campaign). lol. She's a true double-talker on taxpayer money and how it's spent.

Report: Palin Tapped Travel Allowance While at Home

http://www.theledger.com/article/20080909/NEWS/809090358/1410&title=Report__Palin_Tapped_Travel_Allowance_While_at_Home

Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:10 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:10 p.m.

WASHINGTON | Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has charged her state a daily allowance, normally used for official travel, for more than 300 nights spent at her home, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

An analysis of travel statements filed by the governor, now John McCain's Republican running mate, shows she claimed the per diem allowance on 312 occasions when she was home in Wasilla and that she billed taxpayers $43,490 for travel by her husband and children.

Per diem payments are meant for meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business. State officials told The Post her claims - nearly $17,000 over 19 months - were permitted because her "duty station" is Juneau, the capital, and she was in Wasilla 600 miles away.

Palin spends little time at the governor's mansion in Juneau and instead prefers to live in Wasilla and commute to her office in Anchorage.

Palin's spending and record in office are coming under intense scrutiny as she is presented to the nation as a champion of ethics reform and frugal use of tax dollars - a leader who put the state jet on sale on eBay and drives herself to work.

The Post's analysis shows her husband Todd and their daughters were reimbursed by taxpayers for many trips between Wasilla and Juneau as well as for a variety of other travel that was also listed as state business. Palin's aides said travel by Alaska's first family is part of the job.

But it's not clear when children's travel expenses should be covered. State finance director Kim Garnero told the paper the government covers the travel costs of anyone conducting state business and, "I can't imagine kids could be doing that."

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2008
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 1:46am
Is it possible that you posted on the wrong thread? This is a thread about earmarks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 2:44am

What we do know about Obama:


He obtained federal grants purportedly to improve housing for the poor:

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2008
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 2:47am
Nope. just spreading some real truth around. lol.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Wed, 09-10-2008 - 4:11am

Truth includes:


Obama: federal funds to Rezco - supposedly to help Chicago's poor - actually to line Rezco's pockets, get campaign funds for Obama, and help the Obama's get a million dollar home!


Obama: federal funds to the hospital who employs his wife for $250,000 + per year.


Chicago's poor remain in substandard housing, health care cost remains a problem BUT Obama and his wife and his racketeering friend are doing very nicely, thank you!