Notes from a Net Taxpaying State

I’ve made this observation before but there are only two responsible positions that a member of the U. S. Congress from states that are net taxpaying states like Illinois or New York can take. If you’re a Republican and at least nominally believe in small government, you’ll try to make dramatic reductions in spending to ease the tax burden on Illinoisans who pay out in taxes more than they receive in the form of federal government largesse, simultaneously trying to hold on to whatever Illinois does get. If you’re a Democrat and believe that government should be providing certain services to the citizenry, you’ll do your best to see that Illinois (for example) gets a bigger share of the pie.

That’s why I can’t get too exercised at this:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for 2009, almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator this year.

The Democratic presidential candidate’s staggering request comes at a time when Congress remains engaged in a heated debate over spending federal dollars on parochial projects.

It also has gained traction on the campaign trail. Presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), a longtime foe of earmarks, has called for eliminating what he dubs “wasteful Washington spending.” Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has spurned earmarks, seeking no funds for pet projects in the upcoming fiscal year.

Yet Clinton is continuing to request billions for earmarks, most of which will go to her home state.

The money is needed for homeland security, emergency response and health projects throughout New York, according to documents provided by her office.

The total amount Clinton requested greatly surpasses the $837 million secured last year by Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee who took home the largest dollar amount of earmarks in the current fiscal year’s spending bills. In those bills, Clinton secured $342 million in earmarks.

Whatever else you think of this, you’ve got to admit. That’s constituent service.