The standard of limited government has historically been carried by Republicans. But the GOP has shamefully abandonded it once control in Washington was wrested from Democrats. Now the Republicans spend taxpayer money like it's going out of style, and it's frankly embarrassing. Don Young's role in the transportation bill monstrosity is the poster child for this shameful profligacy.

Huge as the bill was, it wasn't quite huge enough for Representative Don Young of Alaska, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "It's not as big as what he'd like," a committee spokesman said, "but is still a very good bill and will play a major role in addressing transportation and highway needs."

One wonders what more Young could have wanted. The bill funnels upward of $941 million to 119 earmarked projects in Alaska, including $223 million for a mile-long bridge linking an island with 50 residents to the town of Ketchikan on the mainland. Another $231 million is earmarked for a new bridge in Anchorage, to be named -- this is specified in the legislation -- Don Young's Way. There is $3 million for a film "about infrastructure that demonstrates advancements in Alaska, the last frontier." The bill even doffs its cap to Young's wife, Lu: The House formally called it "The Transportation Equity Act -- a Legacy for Users," or TEA-LU.

Don Young personifies what's wrong with Beltway Republicans. If they don't return to the principles of limited government and fiscal restraint, they will be tossed out - and deservedly so.

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