Under the current angry range at the TSA for their intrusive and inappropriate full body groping pat downs, there is a heated debate raging in the halls of Congress, and every talking head on television is giving their opinion about the controversial topic of congressional earmarks.

Republicans want to ban them, especially the newly elected ones. Democrats want to leave them right where they are. The Republicans in the House have enough votes to pass the ban on earmarks, but the Senate will be a few votes shy. So what is Congress to do? Republicans swear it is a sure way to help balance the budget, but will erasing Congressional earmarks actually make a difference in the multi-trillion dollar federal budget? Or is the ban simply a goodwill gesture to symbolize the commitment of the Republicans to actually make the hard decisions necessary to balance the budget?

While the ban is a good idea, unless it is coupled with a simultaneous limit on the size of the federal budget the money is likely to be spent anyway. Why? Earmarks are the elected Congressman’s chance to steer federal dollars for their district. Therefore, if we remove their ability to steer where the money goes, do you really think the federal government will simply decide not to spend the money? No, in fact, instead of the money being listed next to a Congress member’s name in an authorization bill for all of us to see, the “pork projects” will simply be funded through the ever expanding bureaucracy. Simply put, instead of your elected official choosing if your area receives federal funds, an unelected federal bureaucrat will have the power to hand pick the projects they deem worthy.

In addition, when the amount of money spent on earmarks is listed next to the cost of other federal programs such as the new Healthcare bill, earmarks don’t look so evil and wasteful. So, while it is a noble effort, perhaps eliminating underperforming federal programs run by bureaucrats who don’t answer to anyone is where the new budget-conscious Congress should direct their efforts.

I am sure there are a few “studies” being conducted throughout the country that are no longer a pressing priority when we consider the financial crisis our nation is currently in.

The last bite…

This weekend I was invited to be a judge for the St. John Parish 4-H cooking contest, and I obviously said “YES!” They gave me the “Sugar” category to judge, which meant I would have the really, really, really tough task of judging (and eating) many desserts. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it. I ate everything from praline cheesecake and carrot cake to candied pecans.

However, I have to say my favorite was the Oreo chocolate truffles topped with crumbled Oreos sprinkled on the top.

All of the dishes were great, made by the students, and presented excellently! I give them 5 Crumbs! (out of 5)

Buddy Boe, a resident of LaPlace, is a former parish administrator and is well known on the local political (and food) scenes. His column appears every Wednedsays in L’Observateur.