haha wow, notice how all of those are before 2000 and how little that is (especially compared to the length of time he has been in office) compared to obama's earmarks which almost reached 1 billion (in 4 years)
McCain, who has made fighting special-interest projects a centerpiece of his presidential campaign, inserted $14.3 million in a 2003 defense bill to buy land around Luke Air Force Base in a provision sought by SunCor Development, the largest of about 50 landowners near the base. SunCor representatives, upset with a state law that restricted development around Luke, met with McCain's staff to lobby for funding, according to John Ogden, SunCor's president at the time.
The Air Force later paid SunCor $3 million for 122 acres near the base. It was the highest single land transaction of the private lots purchased by the government — three times the county's assessed value and twice the military's estimated value. SunCor also donated another 122 acres. Alan Bunnell, a spokesman for SunCor's parent company, Pinnacle West Capital, said the donation was meant to minimize the company's tax bill and enhance the value of adjacent property it owns.
this excerpt seems especially relevant The McCain campaign blasted the story Friday, pointing out that Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano also voiced support for the land sales and buffer zones; that the moves were necessary for the safety of flight operations into and out of Luke; and that McCain never directed the U.S. Air Force to acquire SunCor-owned lands.
Of course they all have their reasoning. That's why it's so simplistic to simply say "No earmarks ever." The whole point is that McCain touts that he never uses earmarks and that they're always bad.
You have to allow nuance into the argument. Yes, Earmarks can be evidence of cronyism and at worst can be straightup kickbacks, but the money is going to be spent and directing how it is spent is sometimes needed.
Politics as usual. Amazing this Government doesn't implode
kaduisaui 2 years ago
haha wow, notice how all of those are before 2000 and how little that is (especially compared to the length of time he has been in office) compared to obama's earmarks which almost reached 1 billion (in 4 years)
this show and its argument is political bs
Vishantix 3 years ago
McCain, who has made fighting special-interest projects a centerpiece of his presidential campaign, inserted $14.3 million in a 2003 defense bill to buy land around Luke Air Force Base in a provision sought by SunCor Development, the largest of about 50 landowners near the base. SunCor representatives, upset with a state law that restricted development around Luke, met with McCain's staff to lobby for funding, according to John Ogden, SunCor's president at the time.
KdubbG 3 years ago
The Air Force later paid SunCor $3 million for 122 acres near the base. It was the highest single land transaction of the private lots purchased by the government — three times the county's assessed value and twice the military's estimated value. SunCor also donated another 122 acres. Alan Bunnell, a spokesman for SunCor's parent company, Pinnacle West Capital, said the donation was meant to minimize the company's tax bill and enhance the value of adjacent property it owns.
KdubbG 3 years ago
this excerpt seems especially relevant The McCain campaign blasted the story Friday, pointing out that Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano also voiced support for the land sales and buffer zones; that the moves were necessary for the safety of flight operations into and out of Luke; and that McCain never directed the U.S. Air Force to acquire SunCor-owned lands.
Vishantix 3 years ago
Of course they all have their reasoning. That's why it's so simplistic to simply say "No earmarks ever." The whole point is that McCain touts that he never uses earmarks and that they're always bad.
You have to allow nuance into the argument. Yes, Earmarks can be evidence of cronyism and at worst can be straightup kickbacks, but the money is going to be spent and directing how it is spent is sometimes needed.
KdubbG 3 years ago
The truth always comes to light.
luvobamas 3 years ago