I keep thinking about this earmark thing and keeps coming up with this one scenario for me:
An earmark is awarded to a state for a large chunk of money to build a road with...(let's pretend it is not the SMART ROAD...that blows the rest of my theory!) Now, the state collects bids from contractors. One or more contractors get the bid(s) (depending upon how it is set up). The contractor has to hire workers, buy fuel for equipment, maybe buy equipment, has to buy rebar/concrete/soil cement/asphalt, etc., then that contractor or another has to buy the lights, signs, etc. and all the equipment to install those. Oh...and that contractor has to have people to do the work.
Now, I'm making a big leap here...but just perhaps, those workers are getting paid for the work they perform. Now we have the contractors getting money, much of which has to go to pay employees, buy equipment, and obtain supplies.
This would mean someone has to cash/deposit those paychecks. Maybe the bank would have to hire a new person. The equipment bought is going to a variety of companies who are also paying employees, paying for equipment and supplies (keep watching, you'll see this circle replayed over and over again).
Again, I'll make a big leap or two or ten and, I'll assume those employees desire food, need clothes, maybe have children to feed, pay rent or mortgage, and might even have a little bit left over to buy a meal out with the family, or catch a movie/rent a dvd.
Wow! That money from those paychecks can sure get around can't it?
Now, with more people spending more money, it is likely that more people will have to be hired to help process those purchases. Supplies in establishments will drop and the stores will have to buy more. VOILA! Mack the truck driver is hired to help cover all those extra deliveries. But, the only way he has anything to deliver is it there are more workers hired at the warehouse to pull and load the orders he is carrying. Those warehouse workers can only work is product is coming in to restock the warehouse. This means manufacturers must increase production, hire more workers, purchase more materials.
Why heck fuzzy! Farmer Brown may have to get some more equipment, buy more seeds and fertilizer than usual, hire more hands to help with the harvest......
Okay...I think you get the general idea. Add to it the fact that all of those new workers are going to be paying taxes as well and you can see what a mess this would make. Just getting rid of all the earmarks would make life much simpler! Ya think?!
Earmarks are often equated with bacon. Maybe bacon isn't the best food to eat for your health...but, I sure don't see much reason to toss out the whole hog just to cut out some bacon. Let's see about keeping those leaner, healthier cuts and have a bit less of the bacon which is higher in fat and less nutritious.