Someone please clarify RP earmarking issue.

[rhexis]

All,

Could someone please explain the earmarking issue that RP opponents like to bring up in various forums?

Rhexis

[ctb619]

A quick search of the forums will give you all the information you need.

[Ron Paul Fan]

http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=836

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrJ4MI63yrk

[Bradley in DC]

Earmarking is when Members of Congress allocate specific funding in a bill (usually for their district) which doesn't change the total amount spent. Dr. Paul routinely stands up for his district and "earmarks" funding for projects he thinks are more worthwhile. He argues (as many do) that the representatives from that district know better where the money needs to be spent in their districts than DC bureaucrats--and that they, not the bureaucrats, are more accountable.

In the broader debate, some corrupt Congressmen (NOT Dr. Paul) have abused the earmarking perogative as payoff for political contributions, etc. There have been no such allegations against Dr. Paul.

[Spirit of '76]

http://ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=16866&highlight=earmarks

[Nash]

Earmarking is when Members of Congress allocate specific funding in a bill (usually for their district) which doesn't change the total amount spent. Dr. Paul routinely stands up for his district and "earmarks" funding for projects he thinks are more worthwhile. He argues (as many do) that the representatives from that district know better where the money needs to be spent in their districts than DC bureaucrats--and that they, not the bureaucrats, are more accountable.

In the broader debate, some corrupt Congressmen (NOT Dr. Paul) have abused the earmarking perogative as payoff for political contributions, etc. There have been no such allegations against Dr. Paul.

The important point is that despite earmarking funds for his district Ron Paul still votes against the bill 99.9% of the time.

If the no vote stands (it usually doesn't but sometimes) then his district gets nothing and neither does anyone else's.

[ButchHowdy]

Whether he votes for the bill (with earmarks) or not, he wants transparency in the form of a public record