Republican Hypocrites

I understand concerns about 'best use' of the funds forcibly removed from taxpayers, but ultimately, since all the taxpayers' stolen monies are badly used by a bloated, unconstitutional bureaucracy, why is it wrong to earmark? Earmarking at least keeps the money out of DC bureaucrats' hands. How are earmarkers hypocrites, if they vote against the budget bills that steal and misspend these funds? It's like stealing from thieves when the funds can't be given back to their rightful owners

I am fed up with both parties! Guess it is time to take a serious look at the Constitution Party. It is time to take back our government. This is not a country of the Government, by the government an for the government... even though that is what everyone we elect seems to believe. We need a solid third party to force balance in our congress... all we have right now is far left or far right... how about a new one that works in the middle... Constitution Party is right there!!

The only thing earmarks prove to me is that what is owned by no one is wasted by everyone. The spending free-for-all has gotten so bad up there in Washington that it is time to flip both houses and start over.

To paraphrase FA Hayek... anyone who tries to form the social environment via poltical powers is a socialist. GOP...buncha socialists...structuring one group of society to have x amount of $...why is that not spreading the wealth??? Did the free market demand the earmarked group get the $..no..the planners in DC did. talk about hypocrites...they should stop calling obama a socialist and slam that sticker right on their own lapels

WE NEED TERM LIMITS NOW!!! THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!

I give a simple solution: we all have opinions, and various solutions. Our real problem is our Imperial Congress.....they are our worst enemy. SOLUTION = TERM LIMITS.It is the one solution all of us can agree on. Throw the bums out and make them experience real life....go to work and try to run a business with Congress on your back! Institute two terms and out just like the president. Please, give us a break from Congress! Call it our second revolution.........man do we need one!

John: My wife and I think you are terrific. Really happy to see you have come to Fox. Please use your show to let the America People know about all the waste and corruption in our government that doesn’t get reported by any of the news media – not even Fox. People trust you because of your history with ABC and “the what and the way” you report things –like on “give me a break”. You have a rare quality that allows people to trust and believe what you report so use it and use it well with you

You sheeple will vote out the tax and spend democrats only to bring in the borrow and spend republicans. Each voting cycle they outspend the other. When will you retards wake up?

John, Thank you for exposing the GOP -- if it is going to act on its principles, it better display them in its actions and not in mere rhetoric. I have no faith in the Dems whatsoever but at least, the GOP should hold itself to a higher degree. Great to have you on Fox and please fight the good fight.

I think it's the amount that is concerning less than the earmarks. In particular, I want the earmarks' authors known so we can see who asks for what and have some idea of why. While most earmarks are political ploys to get votes on a large bill by giving money to hte districts of suspected "no" votes, some are useful projects that deserve support, and these should not be put in the same category as "bridge to nowhere" projects.

Right on the money again Stossel. I am a registered Repub. who is now a conservative first, Repub second. After the last eight years, a lot of Repubs are no different than Dems. We need to clean house, both parties!!

Based on what I have read and seen, Rep. Flake is a pretty sharp guy who gets it. The unfortunate part of the story is that the GOP would never want him to reach a national audience as it could impact GOP special interests.

The problem with the budgets are that the amount is often set before the earmarks are requested. So if our congress members do not request earmarks the left over budget will be left up the president to decide what to do, which increases the power of the executive branch (which is something I do not want). What we need is to get our congress member to vote against the budget until the dollar amount is much smaller.

Perhaps we should change the name of Congress to "Tragedy of the Commons."

Exactly. Is it any wonder people dislike and distrust politicians - not "democrats" or "republicans." Too many of them, regardless of party, verge on dishonesty. Too often it's a choice of the lesser of evils.

Keep them honest and keep this kind of reporting coming. I will be sending this to all my Republican Reps. They have to have their feet held to the fire.

Thanks for getting this out there, Mr. Stossel. Good on Flake and Hensarling for sticking to it, and shame on the others for grandstanding. It's high time the "check" part of "checks and balances" shows up in a big way. Be that by humiliation in the news media or at the ballot box, bring it on.

Are you suggesting that the Democrates be allowed to take all the money? As long as the treasury is being looted, we are entitled to our share. We will quit, when the Dems quit.

Agreed. The crazy thing about these earmarks is the average working American never sees any benefit from it. I personally would rather have my taxes reduced than have my representative bring pork home to the district. My deceased father is sounding smarter and smarter as he used to say "There isn't 10 cents worth of difference between a Republican and a Democrat."

Anyone asking for earmarks should be voted out of office on their next election cycle --none of these folks can be trusted, old habits are hard to break

same reason McCain couldn't carry the nation. Conservatives/Libertarians saw no small government leadership in McCain or in the current congress. We need that clear Reagan type leader to step up.

I feel that earmarks are becoming too much of a buzz word lately. The fact remains that if an appropriations bill passes without a single earmark it does not cost the taxpayer one cent less than a bill full of earmarks. Earmarks just direct where the money goes. Without earmarks it then becomes the responsibility of the departments to determine where the money goes. Congress should have earmarked the heck out of the bailout bill so at least we would know where all of the money went.

I guess it horrible and wasteful if it's another politician and/or from the other party but OK for me. At least I can take some comfort that my representative is one of the 2 that didn't ask for any earmarks.

Apparently, both parties believe they can be free with other people's money. Another reason that we the taxpayers need to keep a closer eye on the hired help. Yes, that includes the bureaucrats too!