McCain Kline Walz on Earmarks : Talk -- vs -- Walk

"I got an old ink pen, my friends, and the first pork barrel-laden earmark, big-spending bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it”
-- Republican Presidential candidate John McCain

“In this time of economic uncertainty, Minnesotans are naturally growing more concerned with how their tax dollars are being spent. In Washington, we can begin to earn back their trust by enacting comprehensive bipartisan earmark reform -- and stopping the pork. As members of Congress, we should continue to work for Americans, not at the trough of broken principles, but by fighting to rid Washington of wasteful pork-barrel spending.
-- John Kline (R-MN-02)

“The economic crisis facing the nation is serious and real. Inaction is not an option. We must move fast to address it, but after you peel away all the extras the Senate added, this is still the same bad deal for taxpayers I voted against on Monday. I cannot in good conscience vote for this bill."
-- Tim Walz (D-MN-01)

By now, we all know the “bailout” legislation has been passed. In what the House started as the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008” designed to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system, became a “Christmas Tree” in the Senate. The “gifts” under the tree include :
--- Exemption for wooden arrows - the estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten years.
--- NASCAR track deprection - cost $100 million
--- Rebate on excise tax for rum from Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands - cost $192 million
--- Allow Income Averaging for Exxon Valdez litigations – cost $49 million (this earmark is authored by Congressman Don Young of the “Bridge to Nowhere” fame … I wonder if Governor Palin will say “Thanks, but no”)
--- Tax incentive program for the film and television industry - the cost is estimated at $478 million over 10 years
--- Allows employers to provide a benefit to employees for costs associated with bicycle commuting - estimated to cost $10 million (at the same time, McCain is proposing to tax health care benefits.)
--- and more that benefit toy makers to suit makers … read about some of the 25 Billion dollar “gifts”.

How can John McCain “suspend” his campaign to resolve this crisis and end up voting for this legislation ? Can voters believe his "earmark" veto threat ?

Why did so-called “earmark” reformer Kline vote to approve this legislation even though he had made a promise to never vote for a bill with earmarks to the people who nominated him at the District 39 (Dakota County) GOP convention.

Yet, Tim Walz recognized that these “earmarks” were not vital to stabilizing our economy and voted NO.

The “bailout” has more to do with “confidence”, “liquidity” and foreign investors than the sub-prime mortgage problem. My concerns with that the Economic Stimulus Package now appear to be correct, and this legislation may do more harm than good.

Voters are sold a candidate’s image based on his/her words … you know, they are good at “talking the talk”.
When Tim Walz campaigned in 2006, he openly complained about fiscal mismanagement and the need to embrace PAYGO.
Creditability is an underappreciated characteristic.
Walz has demonstrated creditability and fiscal responsibility as well as a "good conscience" ... you know, he’s “walking the walk”.

This November, vote for “walkers” not “talkers”.