We've been harshly critical of Rep. Don Young (R-AK) because his pork-barrel spending is an embarassment to the GOP and he is about as far from being a fiscal conservative as it is possible to be. We noted earlier an effort by the Citizens Against Government Waste to have Congress give up the 6,373 pork-barrel projects that were jammed into the recent transportation bill monstrosity, which cost taxpayers over $24 billion, so that the resources could be directed towards hurricane relief.

The Wall Street Journal reports that residents of the city of Bozeman, MT, in bi-partisan fashion, petitioned the city council to return to the federal government $4 million that was "earmarked" (Congressional lingo for pork) for a parking garage so that it could be used to help rebuild New Orleans instead. This example of selflessness is typical for Americans, and non-existent for politicians.

The Wall Street Journal called Transportation Committee Chairman Young's office to ask about giving up his pork, including the $450 million he snatched for 2 infamous bridges to nowhere (one for a town of 50 people that has been adequately served by ferry and the other for a port with one tenant), so that the money could be used for Katrina relief. Young's response: the idea is "moronic."

Don Young continues to be an embarrasment to not only the Republican party but to America as well. If you agree, call his office (202-225-5765) to tell them you are a Republican, his selfish profligacy is shameful, and you will support whomever opposes him in his next primary. Then, call the office of the House Majority Leader (202-225-4000), who happens to be Tom DeLay. Tell him that the GOP caucus has completely abandoned any pretense of fiscal conservatism and you will not contribute to the Republican party until it shapes up; instead, you will donate directly to candidates who are actually conservatives or to groups like the Club for Growth that are working to advance the limited government principles that the GOP has disregarded.

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