Google App Exposes Earmarks
By Jill R. Aitoro | Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | 04:34 PM
By Jill R. Aitoro | Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | 04:34 PM
On Nov. 7, the Sunlight Foundation released software that could prove a valuable tool for Republicans critical of congressional earmarks. The Sunlight Foundation, an organization that, according to its Web site, “supports, develops and deploys new Internet technologies to make information about Congress and the federal government more accessible to the American people,” uses the Google Earth application to plot the locations for almost 1,500 earmarks in the House Defense Appropriations bill.
By downloading Google Earth and a House Defense file, users can locate earmarks on a U.S. map, according to where the funds would be allocated. Click on the pushpin that marks an earmark location and you can find detailed information from Sunlight Foundation’s searchable database, EarmarkWatch.org.
Will the software application play any role in the fate of the House Defense Appropriations bill, which contains an estimated $5 billion in earmarks? Probably not. Congress passed it last week, and President Bush has stated no plans for a veto. Still, Senate Republican leaders that have made earmarks a soapbox issue no doubt cheer the application – along with other Internet efforts to garner support for their cause.
Comments
Earmarks are bi-partisan with both parties sharing equally, more or less, in the grab for money. You were off base to single our Senate Republicans in your article, thereby impling that only the Republicans are interested in controlling earmarks.
Actually, the American people are to blame. Why do you think lawmakers do these things?
It is to satisfy the voters back home.
You seriously quoted anything from Politico? Seriously, Politico?
fed-up-employee | Wednesday, November 14, 2007 | 01:07 PMOh, WRZ, you are so right. President Duffus is solely to blame for all the money going to Iraq. Congress does not approve any of that. In fact, it's not the Democrats fault at all, being in the majority. The Republicans have employed their secret mind control rays to torture and confuse the Dem's minds into allowing the money to flitter away. Those darn Repubs are duffeses and geniuses all at the same time.
SSH | Wednesday, November 14, 2007 | 12:03 PMOf course, this article assumes that Republican Congressmen are not participating in the porkfest.
US | Wednesday, November 14, 2007 | 10:22 AMWith President Duffus wasting a half trillion dollars in Iraq what is the point to worrying about small dollar items ?
It's like my wife spending thousands on shoes she doesn't need and then using coupons at the grocery store.
WRZ
WRZ | Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | 10:51 PMABOUT THIS BLOG
Allan Holmes on what's happening and what's being discussed in the world of federal information technology.
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