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McCain's TV Ad

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Dale L. Gillis

Published: September 12, 2008

Sen. John McCain is running a television ad attacking the spending record of prominent Democrats. This is certainly a remarkable offering from a man who treats Ronald Reagan as a saint. Reagan ran up the largest deficits in history, surpassed only by the Bushes, without a word of apology.

Consider the information provided by Citizens against Government Waste for the current year. This organization provides fascinating information on earmarks and special projects, grouped by category.

Under Agriculture, the two worst offenders are Republicans, and under Commerce, Justice and Science, the three worst offenders are Republicans. Under Labor, Health and Human Services the three worst offenders are Republicans. Under Energy and Water all seven offenders listed are Republicans, and the costs for this category total to $154 million.

In the Commerce, Justice and Science category, Rep. Richard Shelby, Republican from Alabama, requested a staggering 63 special projects with a combined cost of $147 million. The next runner up is Rep. Thad Cochran, Republican from Mississippi, who requested 21 special projects costing the taxpayers $56 million.

Under Defense, Sen. Ted Stevens, Republican from Alaska, tacked on un-needed amendments for 22 projects totaling $166 million. Next someone from Florida gets into the act. Rep. Bill Young, a Florida Republican, requested 47 special projects costing the taxpayers $93 million. Rep. Jerry Lewis, Republican from California, asked for 32 special projects soaking the taxpayers for $86 million.

In the Labor, Health and Human Services category, Sen. Ted Stevens has another 35 projects costing $93 million. Rep. Tad Cochran has another 25 projects totaling $43 million.

Sen. Mel Martinez, our Cuban born senator, thinks the U.S. should pay for hurricane damage in Cuba. His Web site has a press release to that effect. I haven't seen a figure on this but it seems to contradict our policy of embargoing Cuba until communism falls.

Dale L. Gillis
Sebring

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