Chalk up another landmark achievement for congressional Democrats. Or so we’re told. They passed an ethics and lobbying bill.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared it “momentous” and “historic.”  The Washington Post called it “a landmark bill.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid dubbed it the “most sweeping ethics and lobbying reform in history,” saying itwould produce “a government as good and honest as the people it represents.”

Is he serious? Can this new law make Congress “good”? Or honest?
Does anyone really believe that?

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn sure doesn’t. As the Senate’s biggest supporter of transparency regarding earmarks — and the strongest opponent of such pork in the first place — he has standing.

Coburn voted no , saying, “This bill is a landmark betrayal, not a landmark accomplishment. Congress had a historic opportunity to expose secretive pork-barrel spending but instead created new ways to hide that spending.

Sure, congressmen recognize the unpopularity of pork-barrel spending, the
wastefulness. But, you see, the politician benefits, growing more powerful with each big check sent to some people using others people’s money. So politicians embrace reform, yes; talk reform, sure; even pass reform, of course . . . but they make very certain that there is no reform.

Americans are sick and tired of earmarks, but neither the biggest elephants or the boldest asses in Congress have done anything serious to end the abuse.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.