Tone Deaf and Out of Touch – John Garamendi

The following was reported in the Sacramento Bee on February 7, 2010.

“While he is not done unpacking, [John Garamendi] California's newest congressman is more than ready to play a time-honored game: It's called Bring Home the Bacon.

"If there are earmarks, I'll make sure my district gets its share," said Garamendi, D – Walnut Grove.

He has a message for purists who object to members of Congress fighting for money for their special projects
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"My task is to make sure that the money comes home," he said. "And if it comes in earmarks, it'll come in earmarks."

Garamendi's comments are disappointing and unfortunate for a person holding such a responsible position to have his first actions upon joining the U.S. Congress was to belly up to the trough. Garamendi's comments about earmarks beg the question whether he understands there is no money. The money he is bringing back to the 10th District is borrowed from China and our children and our grandchildren will have to play it back. His approach is like the lout who when going out to dinner with friends and knows the bill at the end of the meal will be an evenly split then orders the most expensive meal and drinks he otherwise, if alone, would not order.

His first instinct should have been to lead and help educate his constituents by emphasizing his primary efforts would be to reduce their tax burden and reduce our national debt by setting an example among his peers in congress to eliminate and reduce discretionary earmarks. His second instinct would be to question why funds needed in the district are sent to Washington in the first place only to be returned through him to dispense to his pet projects and contributors. These funds should have been kept here from the start either not collected as taxes or collected and used for local initiatives approved by the citizens .

The citizens of California and the 10th District should clearly send the message to Mr. Garamendi that his approach to his duties is a continuation of unacceptable corruption and waste.