If you weren't sleeping during Bush's last SOTU address last night you probably noticed how concerned Bush is with earmarks. Earmarks, the Deciderer has decided are very, very bad.
Hmmm... Where was the concern for those naaasty earmarks during the period of Republican control of Congress? You know, that period where we saw record levels of earmarks and not a single Bush veto of those earmark laden bills?
Not to mention that Bush himself stuffed bills with billions of dollars worth of his own earmarks.
The actual number, according to watchdog groups, is nearly impossible to tally, but Senate Democrats recently pointed to hundreds, including 580 worth $15.6 billion that Bush included in his appropriation request for military construction and veterans affairs.
And don't forget those special perks for friends and family members.
Some presidential earmarks have obvious roots, such as $24 million for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The president earmarked a billion dollars for the Reading First program, which was criticized by government auditors for steering contracts to favored companies. He also sought $8.9 million for the Points of Light foundation, a pet project started by his father, former President George H.W. Bush.
Now the Deciderer is all, "Naaasty Filthy earmarks! Bad earmarks!! Gaaaahhhh!!!" when just a couple of years ago it was ::pet pet:: "Niiice earmarks! Goooood earmarks! Bush loves Republican earmarks!".
Funny how that works.