The Pork Parties

Commenting on an AP analysis of pork spending under the Democrat controlled Congress, Ed Morrissey writes, "If the GOP had any sense, they would take this opportunity to declare an immediate and unilateral moratorium on pork and defy the Democrats to match them."

But, of course, Republicans in Congress do not have this kind of sense. Their values, as they demonstrated during the 12 years they controlled Congress prior to the 2006 elections, are not the beliefs of conservatives, but those of the political class. On earmarks and pork barrel spending, there is no discernible difference between the congressional leadership of the two parties. Because Republicans claim to stand for fiscal restraint, but do not practice what they claim, they will remain in the minority until the current leadership is overthrown.