From the Desk of:

Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance

8/6/2008

Did you know that your tax dollars helped construct a visitor's center that you can't visit?

That's right. Taxpayers forked over $200,000 worth of federal transportation dollars to commemorate the birthplace of President James Monroe, and it remains closed!

Before skipping town last week for a five week paid vacation-- compliments of U.S. taxpayers, the House passed a bill containing more than 500 earmarks--like the one above, and then no doubt patted each other on the back for a job well done.

This kind of arrogant, unaccountability from our supposed leadership brings my blood to a boil. But nothing got me as worked up as reading about the "Parking Garage to Nowhere."

        According to investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson,

        Rep. Paul Kajorski (D-11 PA), funneled more than

        $3 million in taxpayer monies to build the Kanjorski Center.

        Now built, the building has been sitting vacant since 2005,

        with the city picking up the $15,000 a month tab.

        If that's not outrageous enough, Kanjorski is attempting to

        siphon an additional $5.6 million for a parking garage

        project for his vacant building.

        When told federal aid can be applied to parking garages

        that serve mass transit, the 12 term Congressman bristled

        saying, "I don't think the rule should have any attention

        paid to it; because in Congress we have our own rules."

        Later in the same story, Kanjorski even refers to our money

        as "free money."

Click here to see the video:

http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9884&RID=15591347

Help me stop the corrupt nature of earmarking by forwarding this outrageous message to 25-30 friends--urging them to sign our national petition to stop earmarking.

http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=9887&PID=15591347

Also, take a moment to call the Congressman, and let him know what you think of his "Parking Garage to Nowhere."

            Here are his contact numbers:

            202-225-6511 (DC)

            570-825-2200 Wilkes-Barre

            570-496-1011 Scranton

            570-895-4176 Mount Pocono

As citizens, we must continue to sound the alarm on government abuse of our tax dollars, and work with those in Congress who do want to put an end to earmarking.

Contrary to what Kanjorski thinks, there are rules, and taxpayer

money isn't free.

Please forward this message today.

Thank you for standing with Grassfire!

Steve

P.S: To date, more than 150,671 citizens have signed our petition. I'd like to add another 25,000 signatures in time for our next presentation on Capitol Hill.

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 Go to FireSociety.com and post your comments so that the Grassfirestaff along with thousands of citizens can benefit from your thoughts and opinions:

http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9885&RID=15591347

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