20 Jan 10: Members of Congress must conduct their lives so that all their activities are beyond reproach. As a public servant, each member of Congress must be accountable to the people for all their actions, whether or not on the floor of the House or Senate. Decisions made for personal gain cannot be tolerated. Consequences should be swift and made public.
There is a close relationship between earmarks and unethical behavior. “Earmarks” are the appropriations inserted by almost every member of Congress into all spending bills to fund special interest pet projects at home with federal tax dollars. A number of Representatives and Senators are likely under investigation for misconduct (many of the proceedings are secret so an exact count is not possible). Many of these investigations are the result of legislators allegedly exchanging earmarks for political contributions.
The system of allowing earmarks must be stopped. Not only do earmarks result in irresponsible out-of-control spending, but they also facilitate misconduct and corruption. I have publicly pledged to propose no earmarks when I am elected to replace Rep. Lloyd Doggett in the 112th Congress (see my Press Release dated January 9, 2010). This irresponsible spending must end.
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