Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina has been a critic of other
Senators in Washington. Even members on his side of the aisle,
have told him to tone it down. I now know why so many people are
getting frustrated with the political system because party leaders
often rake principled leaders over the coals. It has come
customary for folks to vote on bills to ?Go Along to Get Along,? and
sacrifice their principles for party loyalty. It seems to be
political suicide for leaders at any level to actually take a stand
against ?Pork Barreling.?
Senators who represent the same state ? especially those from the
same party ? usually issue joint news releases heralding federal
funding of local projects. (Sen. Lindsey) Graham?s releases on money
from Washington, by contrast, contain no mention of DeMint.
?We?re going to get just as much money for South Carolina, but we?re
going to do it with competitive grants and try to do it the right way,?
DeMint said. ?The earmark era is over.?