In an article today, The Washington Times reports on a vast rechanneling of money meant for our military into earmarks. The article by Shaun Waterman states:
Senators diverted $2.6 billion in funds in a defense spending bill to pet projects largely at the expense of accounts that pay for fuel, ammunition and training for U.S. troops, including those fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to an analysis.
Among the 778 such projects, known as earmarks, packed into the bill: $25 million for a new World War II museum at the University of New Orleans and $20 million to launch an educational institute named after the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat.
This is reminiscent of the Carter days, our troops will go without necessary supplies so that Senators can spend millions on regional projects in an attempt to make themselves look good at home and win another election.
My husband served over 40 years in the military, his account of the Carter years is frightening. Money was diverted or withheld for maintenance of equipment, new equipment, weapons and ammunition, pay, and numerous other necessary items in the military budget.
The result was a military severely lacking in the ways and means to defend the United States. The United States is involved in two active wars, the world is in turmoil, and terrorism looms as an ever present threat. This is not the time for our Senator's to put pork barrel projects and winning elections ahead of our military.
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