Priorities

Senator Jim DeMint, August 28, 2008:

Americans are sick and tired of wasteful government spending. While they struggle to meet rising energy costs and still putting food on the table, their government appears to give little thought to what runaway spending today means for outlook of tomorrow. They, as well as their posterity, deserve better.

Changes were still taking place even as the opening approached. Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican, balked at the budget because he said the center's exhibits ignored the nation's religious heritage.

To avoid further delays, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and top Republican Robert Bennett of Utah agreed in principle to several changes, including engraving "In God We Trust" in stone in a prominent place. The cost: an additional $150,000.

Someone remind me...which party used to be known for its fiscal conservatism?

Welcome - Hot Air readers.

I am aware that Jim DeMint is a fine senator and a good conservative and that he did not specifically request the money. However, he did threaten to delay the opening unless changes were made to the exhibits, presumably knowing that such changes would add to the already-ridiculous cost of the project.

I'm glad he doesn't ask for earmarks, but it's still disappointing to see fiscal conservatives take action that causes my money to be spent, regardless of how noble the cause. I like how adamthemad puts it in the comments:

$150k isn't even a line item in the budget for sure, but that's no excuse for being wasteful. A smaller government doesn't spontaneously happen and making excuses for stupid spending will only ensure it doesn't. Everybody's got their pet project, everybody can find something they find worthy of largess.

posted by Slublog at 09:04 AM

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