Wonkette

Remember how the Democrats were, like, all into earmark reform back before the election as part of their rooting-out-corruption appeal? Well, it turns out that what they kinda meant by that is that they just planned to be more transparent about eating from the trough, not that they would stop doing it.

One of the big pieces of the “earmark” reform was supposed to be that Members would have to certify that they wouldn’t “benefit” from any earmarks they were requesting. It just depends on what one calls a “benefit,” though. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman just knows that it’s not a “benefit” to have (or possibly ask) The City College of New York use the $2 million earmark to establish the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, the Rangel Conference Center, the Charles Rangel Library and a “a well-furnished” office for him. When newbie Republican Congressman John Campbell asked Rangel on the House floor, “You don’t agree with me or see any problem with us, as members, sending taxpayer funds in the creation of things named after ourselves while we’re still here?” Rangel was pretty clear.

“I would have a problem if you did it, because I don’t think that you’ve been around long enough to inspire a building like this.” Okay, then.

In the Democratic Congress, Pork Still Gets Served [Washington Post]
One Lawmaker’s Waste Is Another’s Namesake [NY Times]
Is Rangel’s ‘Monument to Me’ Worth It? [CBS News]