Poor Return Investing In Ryan Country

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Members of the House of Representatives wrote at least $4.2 billion in earmarks this year—special requests often attached to spending bills. But all Congressional districts are not created the same or have the same representation in Congress. While the average district received $9.6 million, districts with a representative member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee (the ones who hand out funds) averaged $28.6 million. One of the big winners were the taxpayers of the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, they could reap more than $180 million in economic development and job growth. Oh, I almost forgot, government doesn’t create jobs.

The losers? Probably the taxpayers of the 1st Congressional District of Wisconsin. When our Rep.Paul Ryan became a key member of the House Appropriations Committee, he promised his constituents he would bring home even less.

With fewer high priority and responsible earmark requests and a negative return on Federal tax dollars within the district, expect property, school, sales and all other point-of-use local taxes and fees to rise, with or without inflation.

This report (pdf.) posted by the Sunlight Foundation clearly shows why one man’s pork is another man’s $4 million soybean crusher study. But it also came as no surprise that the majority of earmarks are requested none other than by the President. I can't blame him. If a representative doesn't specify how the money is going to be spent (they DO have the power of the purse), then it's up to the executive to spend it.

Paying taxes is an investment in our country. If Paul Ryan brokered a 401K, a private savings or investment account the way he represents his district in Congress, they would drop him in a wink.