Salting the Earth

[Gaspar]

With their last breath, they scream FU to the American People.

The omnibus spending bill offered by the Democrats today is. . .you guessed it. . .a surprise 2,000 pages long with a price tag of almost 600 million per page!  A total of 1.1 Trillion.

Loaded with pork, they have opted again not to release the bill until the 11th hour.

The "You have to pass it to see what's in it" strategy rears it's ugly head again.

Just like last year at this time, there is no time for analysis before the vote is due.  No one had any idea they had this tucked away. Failure to pass the bill is not an option because vital funding for government into the new year is on the line.

I guess, just like Obamacare, we will have to fix the damage later, if we can.
If you would like to read it, you may:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3082eah/pdf/BILLS-111hr3082eah.pdf

In 4 days it went from 423 pages that most everyone agreed on to almost 2,000 pages of unedited crap.

They are poisoning the wells, salting the earth, and wiping excrement on the walls. 

How does this make you feel?

[Townsend]

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3082eah/pdf/BILLS-111hr3082eah.pdf

I must be mis-reading that.

[guido911]

Here's Allahpundit's take on the bill with a link to Senator Coburn's thoughts. Say what you will about Coburn, but he is a deficit hawk.

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/12/14/a-total-mess-gop-in-revolt-against-massive-new-1-1-trillion-spending-bill/

[RecycleMichael]

Congress is supposed to pass 12 individual spending bills by the beginning of the fiscal year in October, but once again didn't. This wraps the 12 spending bills into one.

I thought you would like that the spending bill also freezes the salaries of nondefense federal employees through 2013.

[dbacks fan]

Congress is supposed to pass 12 individual spending bills by the beginning of the fiscal year in October, but once again didn't. This wraps the 12 spending bills into one.

I thought you would like that the spending bill also freezes the salaries of nondefense federal employees through 2013.

Mine has been frozen for the last three, and probably will for another three, I say welcome to the club to them.

[TheArtist]

   This type of deal is not the sole perview of one party only.  I remember the Republicans sneaking in things at the last minute as well. So I think its better to say our politicians or House and Senate has done this again, not "The Democrats did it.".  If we don't want this to happen, we are going to have to do something about the way the House and Senate works.   

[GG]

Congress is supposed to pass 12 individual spending bills by the beginning of the fiscal year in October, but once again didn't. This wraps the 12 spending bills into one.

I thought you would like that the spending bill also freezes the salaries of nondefense federal employees through 2013.

Not exactly, it only freezes COLA increases.   They still get their automatic step increases within their GS grade. 

[guido911]

   This type of deal is not the sole perview of one party only.  I remember the Republicans sneaking in things at the last minute as well. So I think its better to say our politicians or House and Senate has done this again, not "The Democrats did it.".  If we don't want this to happen, we are going to have to do something about the way the House and Senate works.   

There is repub pork in this bill.

[RecycleMichael]

There is repub pork in this bill.

Gee...I wonder if Obama and the democrats worked with republicans and put in some pork projects for bi-partisan support of the tax bill from a few days ago...

[Red Arrow]

Gee...I wonder if Obama and the democrats worked with republicans and put in some pork projects for bi-partisan support of the tax bill from a few days ago...

Probably a large, well cured Virginia Ham.

[Red Arrow]

In 4 days it went from 423 pages that most everyone agreed on to almost 2,000 pages of unedited crap.
They are poisoning the wells, salting the earth, and wiping excrement on the walls. 
How does this make you feel?

Unfortunately, about like always.

[guido911]

Gee...I wonder if Obama and the democrats worked with republicans and put in some pork projects for bi-partisan support of the tax bill from a few days ago...

Perhaps, although Senators like Kit Bond (Mo.) and Bennett (Utah) are going away and their pork projects might just be their last chance.

[Conan71]

Probably a large, well cured Virginia Ham.

Well-played

It's a big bag of shlt and it stinketh

[Gaspar]

There is repub pork in this bill.

Yes it existed in the original 400+ page bill.  The bill that everyone hoped would be hashed out and passed before the holidays.

[Gaspar]

   This type of deal is not the sole perview of one party only.  I remember the Republicans sneaking in things at the last minute as well. So I think its better to say our politicians or House and Senate has done this again, not "The Democrats did it.".  If we don't want this to happen, we are going to have to do something about the way the House and Senate works.   

Correct.  A few things here and a few things there, and the Democrats blew their stacks about how "unethical" it was to insert pork at the last moment.  During the Clinton years we heard the word "unethical" applied to this practice many times.  Now, not only are the Democrats applying the same, but they've taken it to a whole new level.

The "Christmas Present" strategy will most certainly force a change in how bills may be introduced.  I don't really care what party is doing it.  It's wrong, and beyond anyone's ability to rationalize or justify.

6,488 EARMARKS  A new record!