The Language of Politics: Question and Answer

No matter how much I try to stay up on things in the news,
there are still some terms I do not understand completely.
And I know I can't be the only one.

I'd like to open up a thread for people to ask questions about words they hear in the media that they might not understand.

It's sometimes embarrassing to acknowledge you don't understand something -- other people seem to understand, so sometimes we never ask...

So I'll go first. I hope others will respond and others will ask questions about terms they hear on the news, and we can teach each other things in this thread.

Here is the first question: What is "Pork Barrel Spending"?

Well I'll be honest. I have no f***ing clue as to what is going on right now with the elections. i was going for Ron Paul but well. yeah.. then I lost interest was too drugged up on meds and not watching TV to keep up with the scoop.
Turned on my radio today as I drove to The Ocean Side area and all they were talking about was the market going down and how the Fed Gov is trying to bail it out in a hazty way. but that people (dems) are trying to make sure that the little guy (us peeps) don't get f***ed over.

so anyone care to summarize the last 3 - 6 months for me

Don't feel weak for asking questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked. Btw, if it makes you feel better I don't know what pork barrel spending is either.

Your representative in D.C. agrees to cast his/her vote in support of a particular bill as desired by the party and, in exchange, he/she get's federal dollars (Usually hidden in the bill) to take back home to his constituency for some project and, in exchange, he/she will receive voter support again the next time he runs for re-election.
It's a giant circle. A revolving door. Scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.


Hope I made sense.

SimplyDreadful. I'm absorbing... thanks. God, how did they come up with such a term? "Pork Barrel Spending" sounds to me like another way of saying "bribes".

There is another word: "Constituancy". Can someone define that?

As for Juan Smiths question, I hope someone attempts to tackle that. I'd have a pretty hard time remaining "impartial" if I tried... so good luck to anyone who will give it a shot.

Constituancy

the people that you represent in your district or those that voted for you

I've heard it explained this way: It's the "FAT" in the bill.
Hence the term "Pork Barrell"
I suppose when you only have to show up for work less than 1/2 the year, you find time to come up with silly s**t like that.

Well, you know they can't call a spade a spade... or a bribe a bribe... or a lie a lie...

"He was less than truthful" No, you SOB's, he LIED.

Our "coalitions" -- means our gang-up buddies in wars.
Our "allies" -- means our gang-up buddies, in war.

What is an "earmark"?