I Smell Bacon

This just fresh off the presses. Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that some politicians....don't keep their promises. I can't believe this is true. There must be some mistake here. I am shocked and dismayed.

Of course, my disbelief is entirely feigned. It happens again and again. The latest example is detailed in a Yahoo News article about House Democrats reneging on their promise to be completely open about pork projects in their legislation.

Now, before we get too excited about pointing out the faults of the Democrats, let's be fair. Republicans are every bit as guilty in wasteful spending. It's just that the Democrats apparently have absolutely no shame in their disingenuous hypocrisy. Honestly, did anyone expect them to honor these lofty, altruistic campaign promises?

The sad fact is that with precious few exceptions, senators and representatives routinely spend money on pork projects. Congress is like a spoiled rich kid gone off to college with a credit card. They spend with no thought of where the money is going to come from. When they are finally forced to think about it they decide you and I should foot the bill. No doubt while they vote themselves another pay raise.

Whose fault is it? Ours. We let them do it. We "hire" them. They get reviewed every two or six years. Do you know your senator or congress person's voting record? This is the age of information. Anything you want to know is available to you. I suggest using a website like Citizens Against Government Waste or a similar organization to keep tabs on your elected officials.

You're not going to find an organization you agree with on every issue, but it's a tool to help you know if the people you are voting for are acting responsibly. Write to them both when they get it write and when they get it wrong. Help educate your friends, co-workers and neighbors about who is a good choice and who is a bad choice. The responsibility lies with us to change the problem, one "problem" at a time.

The rich kid at college will just go on spending with reckless abandon until his parents call him home and cut up his credit card. I've got my scissors ready.