This Little Piggy Went to Congress
The $286 billion Transportation Bill got itself signed into law by President Bush on Wednesday at Montgomery, Illinois. The Caterpillar Tractor plant was the site, appropriately enough.
Pundits are already having a field-day pulling pork like a Cantonese chef. But I really wonder if there’s another spending bill that serves the democratic need as well. Government is about serving the needs of the electorate. Pork-barrel politics are its purest and most direct reflection.
I looked at a few states and what they’re getting. Illinois is my old stamping ground and it’s on the list for a few goodies, including
Chicago, Conrail Bike Path, $1,012,000
Chicago, Bike Racks and Lockers, $103,545
Various locations, Transit Commuter Parking, $2,003,200
Chicago, Downtown Pedway Signage, $80,000
DuPage, Salt Creek Greenway Bike Path, $437,061
Chicago, Lake Front Bikeway Improvements, $69,580
Chicago, CTA – Ravenswood Line/Montrose Station, $80,000
So, there’s seven projects in Chicago that total about $3.…