Earmarks . . . . . huh?

I'll bet you've heard about earmarks but aren't really sure what they are . . . . . here's some info

Earmarks are funds provided by the Congress for projects or programs where the congressional direction (in bill or report language) circumvents the merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the Executive Branch to properly manage funds. Congress includes earmarks in appropriation bills - the annual spending bills that Congress enacts to allocate discretionary spending - and also in authorization bills.

I think we should hear about all earmarks to bills. Will the media tell us ?. . . . . doubt it.

Even the imprisonment of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Duke Cunningham, R-Calif., on corruption charges that included earmark abuses has not dulled lawmakers' appetite for pet projects. One recent study found that earmarks in House legislation went from 3,000 in 1996 to 15,000 in 2005.

And Obey said earlier this year that House members had requested 32,000 earmarks in spending bills for fiscal 2007.