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The WasteWatcher

The WasteWatcher

“Emergency” Supplementals

“Hope for the best, but plan for the worst” is the approach most Americans try to take when it comes to setting aside funds for a rainy day.  For the government, however, national emergencies, and the supplemental appropriations bills that tend to...

CAGW Staff May 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Pentagon’s Travel System Still Grounded

There are a lot of reasons to complain about air travel:  overbooking, rising costs, delays, cancellations, uncomfortable seats, and rude passengers, among others.  With all of these hassles, travelers do have a plethora of online travel services to...

CAGW Staff April 30, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Earmarks Invade DC

An op-ed in the May 17 Washington Post by Colbert King showed that earmarks know no boundaries.  King cited $56 million in projects in the District of Columbia’s budget that were “initiated and approved by the [city] council without extensive...

Thomas Schatz April 30, 2008
The WasteWatcher

The Government’s Net Loss

Government involvement in the private sector and technology has been a disaster.  The technology industry is a dynamic, fast-moving industry delivering new products to consumers every day and the government is struggling to perform even the most...

CAGW Staff April 30, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Extreme Makeover: San Joaquin River

How much should it cost to restore salmon to a river?  Try $22 million per salmon under legislation that is moving through Congress. 

Thomas Schatz April 30, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Fill’er Up with Politics

The Air Force refueling tanker saga started with a provision added to the fiscal 2002 Defense Appropriations Act directing the Air Force to lease 100 Boeing 767’s for new fuel tankers.  It was not only one of the worst examples of corporate welfare...

Elizabeth Wright March 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Coconut Road Outrage

An update on the ongoing drama associated with what CAGW has dubbed “the immaculate earmark.”

Leslie Paige March 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

What’s In Your Wallet? Free Goodies Courtesy of Taxpayers

In an audit of federal employees’ use of credit cards, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found some shocking charges with a debatable relationship to necessary costs.  For example, during more than 15 consecutive months between 2004 and...

CAGW Staff March 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Home, Home on the Range, Where the Big Railroad Companies Graze Or South Dakotans Should Choo Choo Choose Their Own Destiny

When one thinks of western South Dakota, one imagines sweeping vistas and beautiful ranches.  However, the Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern Railroad (DM&E) is threatening to grab massive swaths of this beautiful private land in western South...

CAGW Staff March 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Moran-ic Statements

Rep. James “Jim” Moran (D-Va.), a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has threatened to play politics with the defense bill following President Bush’s promise to veto any bill that does not cut the cost and number of earmarks in...

CAGW Staff January 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Murtha Named Porker of the Year

After weeks of voting, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) announced the final results of its online poll for the 2007 Porker of the Year.  Rep. John “Jack” Murtha (D-Pa.) won in a landslide victory.  The veteran porker received 63.4 percent of...

CAGW Staff January 31, 2008
The WasteWatcher

Three Coins in a Fountain

When one tosses a coin into a fountain it is customary to make a wish. The wish could be as substantial as, “I wish for the winning numbers to the lottery,” or it could be as elusive as “I wish for cancer to be cured.”  Until the budget for the...

CAGW Staff January 31, 2008

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