Winslow T. Wheeler explains earmarks in the federal budget, a process by which representatives can subtly direct money away from what it’s actually been requested for, often into projects that will go straight contractors in their districts. These firms then make political contributions to help the representatives get and stay elected. Wheeler says these earmarks divert over $19 billion per year, and the phenomenon is only getting worse.

Discussed on the show:

• “Those Porky Pentagon Earmarks Never Really Went Away” (The American Conservative)

Winslow T. Wheeleris the Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Project On Government Oversight. He worked in the senate and the Government Accountability Office for many years, and is the author of Wastrels of Defense: How Congress Sabotages U.S. Security.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

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