New lawmakers mum on funding requests

Two freshly elected congressmen who pledged to make their requests for special spending transparent are now joining most other Indiana lawmakers by keeping their so-called "earmarks" secret.

[sealionindy]

Pretty much the same old song and dance. Money talks and BS walks.

[I love Indiana]

Certainly the "do as I say and not as I do" theory would seem to be very popular with many of these "so called" distinguished servants of the public.

[I love Indiana]

Certainly the "do as I say and not as I do" theory would seem to be very popular with many of these "so called" distinguished servants of the public.

[dmc]

let's vote them out till we find someone who will tell the truth

[dmc]

get on the email machine and give them hell. vote them out. they have taken the washington pill. they speek with forked tongues.

[Worthless hacks]

"Ellsworth and Hill seemed to agree last fall. Soon after last year's election, Ellsworth told a group of Indiana reporters that he would "absolutely" share his earmark requests at the time he submitted them.
"I wouldn't have a bit of a problem with that," said Ellsworth, who said there are worthy projects being funded but also abuses of the system.
Ellsworth has since declined to release his requests.
Hill was likewise asked if he would disclose "a list of every earmark request you make this year."
"If I believe in transparency, I ought to be able to share it with you," Hill replied in November.
Hill spokeswoman Katie Moreau said Hill misunderstood the question and only promised to disclose his requests that receive funding."

Typical socialist. They say whatever they can to get elected, then turn around and put the knife in the backs of the voters. Since Ellsworth lied to the voters, I wonder how many times he testilied in court when he was a police officer? Sounds like these two fools have gotten money for another pork project and they don't want to take the heat.

Any rep who does not disclose their request should be voted out of office.

[catman]

If its not transparent, common sense says there is something to hide.

[SameOldSongandDa nce]

Power corrupts!

[Old Yeller]

Worthless hacks wrote:

"Ellsworth and Hill seemed to agree last fall. Soon after last year's election, Ellsworth told a group of Indiana reporters that he would "absolutely" share his earmark requests at the time he submitted them.
"I wouldn't have a bit of a problem with that," said Ellsworth, who said there are worthy projects being funded but also abuses of the system.
Ellsworth has since declined to release his requests.
Hill was likewise asked if he would disclose "a list of every earmark request you make this year."
"If I believe in transparency, I ought to be able to share it with you," Hill replied in November.
Hill spokeswoman Katie Moreau said Hill misunderstood the question and only promised to disclose his requests that receive funding."

Typical socialist. They say whatever they can to get elected, then turn around and put the knife in the backs of the voters. Since Ellsworth lied to the voters, I wonder how many times he testilied in court when he was a police officer? Sounds like these two fools have gotten money for another pork project and they don't want to take the heat.

Any rep who does not disclose their request should be voted out of office.

Would there be anybody left in congress if we only had those telling the truth?

[tarzan]

nothing will ever change. think about it. all politicians come from money and who ever has the most typically wins. Until the people realize that most of their leaders are former lawyers the system will always be corrupt. We will never have a “regular Joe” as a leader. There are plenty of educated people who have good leadership skills ready to do the job. The only problem is they don’t have the millions it takes to do it. That’s why we have a bunch of spoiled babies building football stadiums and other “toys” rather than spending money on education, police, and fire.

[AGAIN I SEE]

A PERSON THAT IS CAPEABLE OF THALING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THERE MOUTHS THE INDIANS CALLED THEM THE " DOUBLE TONGUES" I THINK IT STILL FITS DON,T SOME OF YOU

[individual]

dmc wrote:

get on the email machine and give them hell. vote them out. they have taken the washington pill. they speek with forked tongues.

Baron Hill was just voted back into Congress. During his former term, his voting record followed the House leader right down the list. He's a miscreant from the get-go. Never met a tax he didn't embrace, a regulation that he didn't support and he's government 1st and taxpayers last.

[individual]

AGAIN I SEE wrote:

A PERSON THAT IS CAPEABLE OF THALING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THERE MOUTHS THE INDIANS CALLED THEM THE " DOUBLE TONGUES" I THINK IT STILL FITS DON,T SOME OF YOU

As former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton once said, "most of my constituents want much lower taxes and a few want to see taxes increase. Personally I back all my constituents."

[individual]

tarzan wrote:

nothing will ever change. think about it. all politicians come from money and who ever has the most typically wins. Until the people realize that most of their leaders are former lawyers the system will always be corrupt. We will never have a “regular Joe” as a leader. There are plenty of educated people who have good leadership skills ready to do the job. The only problem is they don’t have the millions it takes to do it. That’s why we have a bunch of spoiled babies building football stadiums and other “toys” rather than spending money on education, police, and fire.

Disagee, many in Congress don't come from wealth. Agree, that majority of members of Congress are attorneys, BUT most of these have never practiced one day of law having spent their entire careers in some government job. The problem is not them being attorneys, but rather have -0- experience outside of government. Government is simply a poor training ground. Agree there a boatload of competent leaders in business. But most refuse to sell their souls as politicos seem to do. Most business leaders don't have socialist ideology as members of government do.
Most business leaders are proper stewards of other people's monies whereas those in government aren't.

[tarzan]

individual wrote:

<quoted text>

Disagee, many in Congress don't come from wealth. Agree, that majority of members of Congress are attorneys, BUT most of these have never practiced one day of law having spent their entire careers in some government job. The problem is not them being attorneys, but rather have -0- experience outside of government. Government is simply a poor training ground. Agree there a boatload of competent leaders in business. But most refuse to sell their souls as politicos seem to do. Most business leaders don't have socialist ideology as members of government do.
Most business leaders are proper stewards of other people's monies whereas those in government aren't.

good point. i agree with you on most everything. Perhaps i miss communicated. i am equating mayors, governors, and presidents to wealth. The more you have, the more likely you will win candidacy. i see the lack of concern with tax payers money here in indy. i work for the govt. we blow so much money on crap we dont need its nuts. we spend money just so the department dosent have to give it back to the general fund.

[bling bling]

Slowly Americans must wake up and demand, through the power of elections, full accountability in those who serve. What kind of crazy statement is it that says they don't want to disclose request for "Public" funds until approved. Hello. The request is for "PUBLIC" funds, not "PRIVATE" funds. The public has a right to know from the very beginning of the request.

[ticked off]

It's pork, and it's inexcusable! People don't have the "right" to privacy when they're getting handed money by congress. It's one thing if people (or businesses and other organizations) qualify for programs that are open to everyone based on established criteria: social security, medicaid, small business association grants or loans, etc. But this money is taken from taxpayers and given in secret, with no oversight, no proof that projects are needed or done, no bidding or qualifications.

It's selfish and unfair.

[John Q]

It just goes to show you can't get good people to run for office. The two party system is totally out dated. You have no one worth electing honest people can't deal with this corrupt special interest government, Local, State or Federal, the parties control the entire SYSTEM!