The headline reads: “In New Congress, Pork May Linger.” It might, huh? Even though campaigning Democrats railed against the Republican “culture of corruption”?

“Weather May Continue.” That’s what I expect the next New York Times headline to be. “World Is Shocked, Shocked.”

I mean, come on, New York Times guys. How about “Pork Ain’t Goin’ NOWHERE!!”?

I sure want it to go. But although it’s soon to be Democrats running Congress, we’re not seeing Politico careerus hit the endangered species list. When asked about their attacks on dubious GOP practices, the new leadership pointedly refuses to say that those practices will now be scrubbed and scotched.

David Kirkpatrick’s reporting lays it out much more firmly than the tentative headline. He notes that many Democrats leapt to the support of porkbarreler extraordinaire, Republican Senator Ted Stevens, when bad publicity called attention to the senator’s earmark for an expensive overpass.

You remember the Alaska senator, of the “bridge to nowhere”? Stevens is a buddy of Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye. Both “deliver to their states more money per capita in earmarks — the pet projects lawmakers insert into major spending bills — than any other state gets.”

Inouye says earmarks aren’t going anywhere. And Senator Patty Murray, another Democrat about to chair a powerful subcommittee, says “What is good for the goose is good for the gander.” Don’t go after anybody else’s earmark or yours may be next.

In short, to heck with the taxpayer. Culture of corruption, full speed ahead.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.