Are Earmarks Always Pork Barrel?

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NC State is the number one ranked textile school in the world. Textiles are a $35Billion industry in NC alone! Also, that "textile research" that you scoff at effects every aspect of your life. "Textiles" aren't just t-shirts and jeans. I think if you actually look at the research going on in the textile engineering and polymer science departments at NC State you might have a different perspective on this "pork."

ed of NC 8:50PM September 11, 2009

made to smell by critics in rants, the truth of the matter is that most of them are projects SUPPORTED by a majority of voters in the districts from which they originate.
Here in New Mexico, "oyster rehabilitation" may sound unnecessary, but we have Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs that do nuclear work, including bombs. Here, the funding for those Labs is priority one for local politicians of either party. The economic impact is huge locally. Every district has it's pet needs. Earmarks are how they get funded. We need to realize that and live with it.

Muser of NM 11:01AM August 25, 2009