How to Tract Your Representatives Earmarks for FY 2010 – R. Neal (D-MA), Requests $53 Million for Out-of-State Programs – In State $30 Million

With unemployment raging at 9.8% and the threat of inflation on the horizon one would think that a dwindling tax base would prompt Congressional Representatives from tacking earmarks onto their 2010 fiscal year “wish list” – not so. When all is said and done, the only feasible way for members of Congress to continue to spend with abandon will be to increase taxes on those individuals still left employed. Therefore, it is best to find out what one's representative plans on using tax dollars.

Beginning in a Massachusetts back yard: Massachusetts Democrat, Richard Neal (2nd Hampden), has earmark priorities totaling over 80 million dollars, the majority going to programs outside of his congressional district. and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts How does your representative fare? You may find easy access to this information as these appropriations are now available on-line. One just has to look for them.

There are several ways to go about this – One is through each individual congressional member’s website, a rather laborious process. There is a link at sunshine.gop.gov/earmarks which offers a fair database, however, a comprehensive list is also available at realtimeinvestigations.com.

If one is curious as to why their representatives are spending like there’s no tomorrow, a connection may be found at Open Secrets.org, a site that lists campaign contributions to individual members of Congress. This particular website offers insight into lobbyists, top donors to individual representatives (example: 72% of Rep. Neal’s contributions come from PAC’s (Political Action Committees). There is also information regarding which organizations spend the most money to influence how your tax dollars are spent and how it is distributed by politicalparty.

Should one feel strongly about their representatives handling of their taxpayer dollars, direct contact information for each representative and senator can be found here at Congress.org It is of import to understand how representatives spend, as comfortably entrenched politicians appear to care little for the needs of their constituents ; with 2009 and 2010 elections on the horizon, making informed decisions on either retaining or firing your particular representative is critical to the stability of the nation, regardless of party, or political affiliation, One should remember that voting is a privilege and a responsibility. To find out what your choices are in the upcoming 2009 and 2010 election cycle may be: visit: the Federal Election Committee to see who has filed with intent to run for office.