OT - Earmarks | Arthritis Information

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McCain says he is against "earmarks" of any kind. However, he voted "YES" to the bailout.

Now get this. He considers the subsidies for any "farm bills" as earmarks. What he and so many others fail to mention is that biggest part of the monies allocated for the farm bills is used to fund govt. food programs, such as WIC, The Food Stamp Program, Senior Meals On Wheels, etc. and so forth. Now if there isn't anyone on the board who isn't or who hasn't ever needed to rely/depend on these programs to feed you or your family this won't be of any concern to you. However, if the shoe has been on the other foot you will realize his stance has a negative on many individuals and families.
In the presidential debate, Senator McCain did talk a lot about eliminating earmarks -- though they only make up 1 or 2 percent of the federal budget.  He said he would consider a spending freeze on everything but defense, veterans affairs and entitlements -- but those categories make up most of the federal budget.

 
In his maverick days he opposed Bush's tax cuts, but now he supports extending them when they expire in 2010.  At the time he said, "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief.”  According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, “Sen. McCain’s tax cuts would primarily benefit those with very high incomes."
 
I admire McCain for his service to his country, but I am wary of his economic and tax policies.
 
 
 
DO ANY ON YOU KNOW WHAT OPTIONS WOULD WORK OTHER THAN A "BAILOUT"? THIS COUNTRY WOULD FOLD UP LIKE A WET PAPER SACK WITHOUT THE "BAILOUT"Yes, let the banks fold and put the criminal CEO's in jail.  I'd bet the next 'boom/bust' will have a lot less shenanigans.
 
Why the Reps keep doing corporate welfare is beyond me - especially when they won't do welfare for the poor.
 
Oh, wait, the money's going into their pockets.  Never mind.
 
Pip
It was the Dems that overwhelmingly voted for the bailout..not the RepsIF THE BANKS FOLDED, YOU'D BE IN A SOUP LINE, PIP
GET REAL!!
I have to comment on WIC.  A wonderful, necessary program.  But look how greed corrupts when segments of the population are provided with the help they need.

Infant formula is a WIC item.  Moms get it free.  I don't have a problem with that.

I have a problem with retailers who charge one price for infant formula in the affluent part of town and a different price in the poor (mostly WIC) side of town.

When I was started buying infant formula after nursing, I was shocked to find that it was more per can in the poor sections of town.  I asked a mgr. why, because that didn't seem fair or right .  She said it was because nobody there really ever paid for it.  Hello?  We all do!  WIC was reimbursing the store for their gouging.

We even had some "WIC" stores open for awhile, but I think they were shut down.  They only stocked WIC items, supposedly for the 'convenience' of the WIC customers.  They wouldn't have to worry something wasn't on WIC , they said, because everything in the store was.  But the retail prices were really high.  Of course, no one was checking the prices when they shopped there.
Suzanne2008-10-05 06:29:21Wic is a great program I agree. There are currently not enough foodstamps to go around. Wic educates mothers and counsels them on the right nutitional products to keep our children healthy. I really doubt anyone will cancel the Wic program. I am sure we will still feed our hungry. WIC guide lines are not as stickt as food stamp guide lines. That is someone getiing WIC maybe able to make it without the food vouchers. I do agree i prefer to know that our children being feed healthy meals.
These are hard times. No doubt we are in for systems over hauls regardless of who wins the Presidency. Because honestly there is not enough money to keep our poor families warm in the winter or for food on the tables. Things are going to change. I just hope it is for the better.
Joie's quote: "In the presidential debate, Senator McCain did talk a lot about eliminating earmarks -- though they only make up 1 or 2 percent of the federal budget."
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First my point wasn't about which party was most in favor of a govt. bailout - it was about John McCain doing a "flip-flop" in regard to his stating he will veto all earmarks if he's elected president. 
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Under a "farm bill" monies are allocated to a number of govt. agencies which extend a "helping hand" to those Americans in need in the form of food assistance, housing, health, gas/heat assistance, etc. So what do you think will happen to those individuals and families who are already in need of a "helping hand?" How will this affect individuals and families who will be facing some tough economic challenges because of our nation's current economic crisis? The bottom line what will this say about the American ethic of taking care of our own people?

WIC received approximately 5.4 million dollars from the 2006 farm bill.  Sure there are abuses but eliminating a "helping hand" to those who don't abuse the program isn't morally right either.
The subsidies provided for in a farm bill take affect only if the cost of producing a farm product is more than what a farmer would receive when selling a product. All other industrial nation's provide for farm subsidies and at a much higher rate than our country.

If farmers/producers aren't able to make a living this nation will be at the mercy of other countries to supply its food requirements and thus won't have any control to the price of food. In addition, there will be thousands of farmers and their employees on the public assistance rolls. All businesses associated with the farming industry, such as, seed companies, fertilizer companies, herbicide and pesticide companies, companies mfging farm machinery will for the most part be put out of business - remember these companies emply thousands of people.

It's ironic that when the car industry, airline industry, etc. asked for help they received it with hardly any public outcry.

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