During the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, 2008, in a response to John McCain regarding earmarks, Barack Obama stated "... when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely."
March, 11 2009, out of public view today, Obama signed a $410 billion spending bill that includes billions for items known as earmarks, the targeted spending that lawmakers direct to projects in their districts.
Obama, accused of hypocrisy by Republicans for embracing billions of dollars of earmarks in the legislation, said earmarks can be useful and noted that he has promised to curb, not eliminate them.
On another potentially controversial matter, the president also issued a "signing statement" with the bill, saying several of its provisions raised constitutional concerns and would be taken merely as suggestions. President Obama only two days ago criticized President George W. Bush for often using such statements to claim the right to ignore portions of new laws, and on Monday he said his administration wouldn't follow those issued by Bush unless authorized by the new attorney general.
Soap Box Ravings believes Obama remains consistent in his record of saying what he thinks his minions want to hear while doing something entirely different. Although, he is cute, black and has a great smile as he leads the fall of the stock market and our way of life.
