Mike's Opaque Transparency

Rep. Mike Conaway attacked the political opposition in a recent e-mail to constituents for its lack of transparency regarding earmarks. His message stated:

"The irresponsibility and lack of transparency by the Democrats is a bad example of leadership. House Republicans passed strong earmark reform in the 109th Congress under the belief that if an earmark is worthy of one cent of the taxpayers’ money, it must be able to withstand public scrutiny and a full, transparent debate."

Yet, guess who won't share his list, who won't subject his requests to public scrutiny? Yep, the same man that just 5 days before smacked the opposition for bad leadership. I hope the boot fits, Mr. Conaway, cause you're chewing leather.

I wonder if he's not sharing his list given the threat of the President to veto unnecessary spending. Why get your constituents excited about billions for Texas when the titular head of your party may soon drop the axe?

Democrats Support Jeer-marks

In a party line vote in the House, Democrats succeeded in squashing the Tom Delay like behavior of one of its members. Rep. John Murtha D-Pennsylvania played Hammer to Mike Rogers R-Michigan over an earmark for Murtha's district. When challenged most of the adolescents in Congress went to their corner and voted along party lines.

This supports Al Gore's statement that elected representatives are mostly good people in a bad system. The problem is none of them have the courage to change the system. For that the American people suffer...