Today the House of Representatives passed the Wall Street bailout bill. But it wasn't the $700 billion bill that was defeated on Monday. No, it was an $850 billion bill that included the original $700 billion for the bailout and $150 billion of pork. Among the goodies:
-- A $2 million tax break for makers of children's arrows.
-- A $192 million tax rebate for PR/VI rum producers.
-- $148 million of tariff relief for people who make things from wool.
-- $100 million for accelerated depreciation of NASCAR race tracks.
-- $397 million over 10 years in tax breaks for domestic movie producers.
That's why this bill will always be known to me as the "Boy Scouts, Pirates, and Shepherds Relief Act."
There are probably many other juicy bites of pork in there. The act burgeoned from 140 to 450 pages as the week unfolded and I have not even seen the final bill yet.
Is it any wonder why people have trouble taking politicians seriously anymore?
