Is all pork bad?

[BeachSiO2]

In reading through the many entertaining threads about the upcoming election and state of the nation, the issue of earmarks and pork projects comes up periodically. In another post, I noted that it would likely require an earmark by Walton County's local representatives to ever get federal funding to 4-lane the 331 bridge. I know this bridge modification is an issue of concern for many since due to evacuation and the roads to the north and south of 331 will be four-laned in the next few years. The only other way this would likely get done is through a toll. So would this be good pork or bad pork? Or is all pork bad?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Not all pork is bad, but plenty of it is. I see the four laning of the slowest evacuation road out of Florida as being a safety issue, and that is much different than the pork project of FEMA paying almost $7 million to replace the County Pier at Pier Park. Speaking of which, if FEMA is paying for that new pier, they cannot still charge a fee to enter the pier, can they? Other pork projects which I see as wasteful is FEMA replacing a bunch of sand on the beach, after it has been nourished by the County and State, then washed back out to see. Hope that doesn't strike to hard, but it's my thought. That is just a couple of many pricey local projects paid by the Fed Gov't, which are wasteful use of our hard earned tax dollars. Now multiple that times the needless projects found in every area of our country, and we could probably cut back on taxes quite a bit, and be no worse off. I don't think that FEMA sand will adhere to the beach any more than County and State sand. It all belongs to mother nature and she will distribute it wherever she sees fit.

 

[scooterbug44]

IMO all pork is by definition bad. If it is a good project to help the community etc. it isn't called pork. If it is a waste of money benefitting a few (who usually end up to be major contributors) it's pork.

4 laning a road because of major safety issues, congestion, and its inadequacy in case of emergency doesn't fit the definition of pork (in my mind at least).

 

[TreeFrog]

In my view, pork serves primarily to get a politician reelected. In the process, it frequently benefits special interests and/or diverts funds from projects that have broader public benefit.

4-Laning 331 serves the broad public interest in more ways than one. I believe that project would be a fine example of exactly what we hope government will do for us - serve the public interest in a way that can never be accomplished privately.

 

[Lollerwaffle]

"Is all pork bad?"

Nutritionally, pork products are not bad for the human body as long as they are eaten in moderation. Pork can be high in protein and B-vitamins. Consumers should do their best to choose "lean cuts" of all meats, as to avoid unnecessary fat content and extract what would be considered an efficent amount of kilocalories in a calories to nutrients ratio. Consumers should always seek out foods that provide the most nutrients for the least amount of food energy so that they can maintain a diet below the recommended 2,000 to 2,500 kilocalorie daily intake.

 

[Andy A]

Funny? But in my estimation, political pork is anything but.

 

[BeachSiO2]

In my view, pork serves primarily to get a politician reelected. In the process, it frequently benefits special interests and/or diverts funds from projects that have broader public benefit.

4-Laning 331 serves the broad public interest in more ways than one. I believe that project would be a fine example of exactly what we hope government will do for us - serve the public interest in a way that can never be accomplished privately.

But would you feel that way if you lived in Kansas and had never been to or desire to come to SoWal? What constitutes the broad public interest, a county with less than 50,000 people (less than 15,000 in Sowal) and the visiting population is probably around 2-3 million tops. See this is the problem I have is who decides and what criteria.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Not all pork is bad, but plenty of it is. I see the four laning of the slowest evacuation road out of Florida as being a safety issue, and that is much different than the pork project of FEMA paying almost $7 million to replace the County Pier at Pier Park. Speaking of which, if FEMA is paying for that new pier, they cannot still charge a fee to enter the pier, can they? Other pork projects which I see as wasteful is FEMA replacing a bunch of sand on the beach, after it has been nourished by the County and State, then washed back out to see. Hope that doesn't strike to hard, but it's my thought. That is just a couple of many pricey local projects paid by the Fed Gov't, which are wasteful use of our hard earned tax dollars. Now multiple that times the needless projects found in every area of our country, and we could probably cut back on taxes quite a bit, and be no worse off. I don't think that FEMA sand will adhere to the beach any more than County and State sand. It all belongs to mother nature and she will distribute it wherever she sees fit.

All good points since they are more germane to sowal, but how about comparisons. Should FEMA be covering the yearly costs of flood damages from inland states that live in flood plains near major rivers and rely on farming. FYI, until Katrina coastal residents had paid in more in insurance premiums than outgoing costs. On the other hand their is a net loss from inland flooding EVERY YEAR. How about forest fires? Did you know that we spend $5.93 per person per year on the federal level to fight forest fires?

My bigger point isn't FEMA because it is a program and not an earmark. It was whether or not people realize that in the eyes of the federal process all earmarks are considered pork.

 

[BeachSiO2]

IMO all pork is by definition bad. If it is a good project to help the community etc. it isn't called pork. If it is a waste of money benefitting a few (who usually end up to be major contributors) it's pork.

4 laning a road because of major safety issues, congestion, and its inadequacy in case of emergency doesn't fit the definition of pork (in my mind at least).

Not in the eyes of one presidential candidate, he has stated clearly that he is campaigning to end ALL earmarks so be careful what you wish for...

 

[TreeFrog]

But would you feel that way if you lived in Kansas and had never been to or desire to come to SoWal?

Well, if you want to look at it that way, the only thing the Feds should fund is federal programs on a national scale. That cat is irretrievably out of the bag.

Without straying from the topic of public safety, I wouldn't personally begrudge a rural Kansas county, with 50,000 residents, a project to upgrade their tornado warning systems. And I'd hope they'd feel the same about a Walton County hurricane evacuation route upgrade.

There will always be someone who is a cheapskate, wants the money spent closer to his/her home, hates big city folk, wants to pay less taxes, or has some other reason to object.