Funding Cut for Blue Crab Project

January 13, 2008 by Cato  
Filed under Environment, Fiscal Policy, Maryland, Maryland Politics

Talbot Today reports that $4 million in federal funding for blue crab research has been cut to zero by the Bush administration. This brings up two distinct issues:

First -
I guess it’s all a matter of who’s crabs are getting steamed (or goose cooked). Research dollars to such projects seldom yield real results. If they did, then they would have a tougher time crying to DC and Annapolis for more money. Once a problem is solved, it’s harder to beg for more money for that problem.

I know. These things always have constituencies and they want their’s. That’s why the nation and the state are in hock up to our eyeballs.

You know, a billion here … a billion there.

Second -
Where was Wayne Gilchrest when this was going down? If he voted for everyone else’s ridiculous earmarks why couldn’t he get a little pork for the home team? If he can’t, does the First District really need him?

You can’t have it both ways Wayne! If you want to be principled like Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and take a tough stance then people will respect you. If you want to be a whore to your own ego and special interests like Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) or Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) then you better bring home the bacon.

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