Comments on: Rep. Flake On Cutting Congressional Pork

Arizona Congressman Is A Fierce Opponent Of Earmarks

[capt_nemo1]

Kudos to Jeff Flake!!!! I hate being put in a class, and last election I thought I would take some online test to see just where I stood with this , "belonging to a party thing" and according to them I am just over the border Democrat. After watching Jeff on 60 minutes and seeing a "republican" who has had enough and wants change, well I am so glad to see that, I wish all parties would get outside of themselves and do what is best for the people of the USA. After all without us there would be no them!!!!. Thank you Jeff Flake for being real, and asking questions and demanding accountability!!!!

[carl10902]

The Congress conduction%u2019s investigations on the many different issues that concern Americans. They say it is required in order to create good legislation and in many cases this is true. But many congressmen abuse this power and they conduct their own investigations for their own personal interest. For some Congressman, it all about having as much power and control over other people and they have all the resources of the United States government to do this. If a Congressman wants to violate the civil liberties of someone by putting that person under a constant surveillance all he or she has to do is get the approval of the President which is easy for a Congressman. He or she can use an earmark and can do it secretively. There needs to be transparency in Congress to ensure that they cannot perform such activities in secret. Many of the things that Congress investigates has nothing to do with national security and does not need to be secret. I will tell you who one such individual is. It%u2019s Congressman John Spratt from South Carolina. He uses his power as a Congressman to investigate people he hates and people he would like to manipulate. Only God has the right to meddle in our private lives, not the church nor the state. Simply voting such people out of office is not sufficient punishment. They must be held accountable, but in many aspects the Congress polices its self. Pass this on because the people need to know and the news media is not telling them.

[gademocrat]

I have just finished watching the interview with representative Jeff Flake of Arizona and, I believe, if all of our elected officials to a stand like he has, this country would be a whole lot better off.

In the past I, like so many other Americans, have been so party driven, we've lost sight of what is really important. The welfare of this country.

I am a "black" Viet Nam veteran and, have always considered myself an independant thinker, a farely wise man and, I listen to issues. I believe our politicians have gotten so comfortable in their positions, they say anything to get elected. Dirty tactics mean nothing to most of them. "JUST GET ELECTED!" is their platform.

Democrats, Republicans and anyone else who may be running for office, it's time to stop hustling the American people and, get back to some real issues that can and will benefit the nation.

Mr. Flake, you are my kind of person, from what I heard on 60 Minutes and I could even become a REPUBLICAN, if that's what your party is all about.

[lestb35]

We need more Jeff Flakes. Lots more. This congress has been disgraceful.

[tevining]

The only way that things will change in congress is to make a change at the polls on Tuesday Nov.7th. Congressman Flake appears to be the only one worth keeping. It's time to change the course in Iraq and in the Pork Barrel.

[bmace2]

If you ever move to FL you have my vote. Keep up the good work and don't give up.

[tp0071]

Wow . Congressman Flake has restored my hope for a change in the conduct of our government officials . There is finally someone that everyone should support regardless of party . The old guard in Congress has taken advantage of all taxpayers and it is time for them to be dismissed and replaced by people like Rep. Flake that will actually stand up for the citizens of this great country instead of being more concerned about how much power they can usurp and their personal benefits . Thank you Rep. Flake . I would like to know someone in Iowa that would join your efforts in getting rid of the pork . I would gladly support and like to help them get elected to work with you .

[riverdale415]

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[riverdale415]

In Murfreesboro, TN Bart Gordon hasn't had a close challenger in 20 years because of the "pork" that he brings in. Example - federal funds for miles of river walk by Stones River. It's nice, but you paid for it.

[marcelde]

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) says he wants to stop his House colleagues from showering their political districts with money he feels is misspent. ==

THAT IS A LAUDABLE PURSUIT BUT ONLY IF IT PUTS AT THE TOP OF THE WASTE PILE THE BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT THIS LYING ADMINISTRATION HAS WASTED IN IRAQ. ==



IT IS OBSCENE TO MENTION MONEY BEFORE THE LOST LIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ. BUT MONEY SEEMS TO BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THIS REPUBLICAN MISADMINISTRATION. ==

You will likely read labels such as Defeatist, or platitudes like Cut and Run. But such postings are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem. ==

The history lesson Rumsfeld should be learning is the tragic lesson of Vietnam where unpopular "police action" was to stop the "domino effect" of spreading Communism. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. Those who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them home out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that weapons of mass destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial.

[swalker411]

I applaud Jeff Flake for his stand on Congressional "Pork." Is he in touch with either Sen. Tom Coburn (R.,Okla) or Sen. Barack Obama (D.,Ill.)? Because according to Parade Magazine, they are trying to set up a WEB site so the average citizen, such as me, can just key "Halliburton" or any news item, and get all of the data on it, including the costs. "'When we've got deficits and are spending $9 billion a month to fight a war, why is the government taking your tax dollars to build sculpture gardens?'" That's a quote from Parade from Sen. Coburn. AS I said, I applaud ANY & ALL EFFORTS ON FLAKE'S PART TO GET RID OF ALL OF THE CONGRESSIONAL PORK. Thank you, Sarah Walker [e-mail]

[mgreen48]

Hurray for Congressman Flake, now everyone who hears this story, you need tro write your congressman and tell them to stop this waste of money. While your at it stop the wasted money on the war in Iraq.

[lcholt]

Hurray-for congressman Flake, Wish there were more men in congress like him. We put men and women in congress, hoping they will do what is best for their country. It seem as if most of them have been bought out by the big corparations lobbist and can not be trusted to do what is best for all.
Too bad he is not running for president.
I would vote for him in a moment notice.

[drbill001]

Let me get this straight. Rep Flake has no problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars sending soldiers off to die in Iraq, but is opposed to spending money on a much smaller scale in this country. This is considered principled?

[drbill001]

Let me get this straight. Rep Flake has no problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars sending soldiers off to die in Iraq, but is opposed to spending money on a much smaller scale in this country. This is considered principled?

[snhipp]

I didn't realize my deepest concerns; earmarks (pork) were being addressed in Washington by a Congressman, not my congressman but a congressman from Arizona.
Mormans make me a little uneasy, (not sure why)Republicans make me a lot uneasy but for the first time I feel the need to contribute money to a politicians career, Mr. Flakes career. I hope he stays the course and keeps

[lstaggs-2009]

Isn't this the way we would hope all our congressional representatives would act? Political hacks are all to prevalent in both parties. I say, "Flake for President".

[tlp1964]

Rep. Flake seems to be wanting to do the right thing and gives me some hope that the republicans have "a few good men." If he were in my district, I'd be convinced to vote Rep. for the first time in many years.

This segment ended by comparing the situation in Congress to the movie, "Groundhog Day." It said, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Whoever wrote this missed the point of the movie. The fact is, when the main character in Groundhog Day changes himself, everything changes for the better. Comparing Congress to this movie actually brings us hope!

[jessiemarie2]

heres what irates me ...has he ever vsited out town no hes half ways across the us come on my single mother wadge and we shaall she its worth everypenny its a tradition and money raised or asked for or "earmarked" is all used for our comunity! from the weather musium to fixing our streets basicly all the money that is used is for our future kids and education no body doesnt say anything about there bellies being lined by all the steak they eat from thier self proclamed raises but so be it for"phil" to help educate the children ofthe punxsutawney area! shold we see what money is going for his people in his district?? i would love to be on a one to one conversation with this man!