Cincinnati, OH—The nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released its 2008 Congressional Pig Book on April Fools Day. The CAGW’s annual report details pork barrel spending by our Representatives and Senators in Washington.

   Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) secured $97,314 for maple research, $148,950 was set aside for the Montana Sheep Institute, and Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) earmarked $846,000 for The Father’s Day Rally Committee Inc. in Philadelphia. That is no joke and that is some fat.

   Pork barrel is a local pet project slipped into legislation in an effort to bring the bacon to some favored constituency back home. Also known as an earmark, pork barrel is technically a line item in an appropriations bill that designates tax dollars for a specific purpose in circumvention of established budgetary procedures. There is no competitive bidding, no accountability, and many earmarks are not traceable to their sponsors.

   The Pig Book provokes feelings of fascination, anger, and amusement. Sometimes it’s better to smile than to cry. As a taxpayer hoofing the bill, it also makes me feel a little like a fool, though—even after April 1. I sense that most of us will be on the receiving end of pork barrel dollars when pigs fly.

   $7.6 million was directed to grape and wine research, $172,782 was given to the National Wild Turkey Federation, and $446,762 was guaranteed for hops research. Hops are a main ingredient in beer. Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) earmarked a sweet $1.7 million for sorghum research. $188,000 was allocated for the Maine Lobster Institute. The Institute has been working on its “Lobster Cam” and has managed to develop lobster dog biscuits. Some of the pork is now going to the dogs.

   I can honestly rationalize some projects that others might snicker at. I can visualize scientific, technical, military, or even cultural reasons for underwriting some costs. The problem with these projects is that they should have been a proper part of an appropriations bill to begin with—if truly legitimate. Most industries, groups, and organizations, and institutions are able to pay for their own projects and research.

   The Democrats promised to cut back on earmarks when they took control of Congress in 2006. That turned out to be a lot of hogwash. Unfortunately, too many Republicans have also become lazy and find it easier to feed some of their constituents from the trough of governmental spending than to exercise fiscal restraint.

   Overall, pork barrel spending rose by 30% in fiscal 2008. The number of local pet projects soared 337%, from 2,658 in 2007 to 11,610 during 2008. The cost of earmarked projects cost us $17.2 billion. Legislators criticize the bloated national debt while pigheadedly spending more on projects of question.

   Most Representatives and Senators justify their earmarks by arguing that they create jobs, pay for improvements, and generate needed income back home. Some of that does occur. However, I suspect that our lawmakers are also rewarding donors and political backers in their home districts, and looking for votes and campaign contributions to get reelected.

   Some of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama’s constituents are living higher off the hog. Clinton is credited with $296 million worth of earmarks while Obama tagged on another $97 million. Both want to be elected President in November. I’m sure they’d appreciate some votes and contributions from the recipients of those earmarks.

   Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, sponsored “0” projects for $0. Give McCain credit for such restraint. A big-time 24/7 barbeque was held in Washington with all-day feasting and McCain refused to put on the feedbag. Maybe he is the only lean mean fiscally responsible machine amongst the three running for President.

   Our politicians in Washington need to go on a diet and wean themselves from pork barrel spending. It was Will Rogers who said, “You should never try and teach a pig to read for two reasons. First, it’s impossible; and secondly, it annoys the h(eck) out of the pig.” However, McCain, four other Senators, and 10 Representatives managed to read up on the subject and go on a diet. More legislators in Washington should read the Pig Book and follow their lead.