Cheese Factories on the Moon: Why Earmarks Are Good for American Democracy by Scott A. Frisch & Sean Kelly

Author:Scott A. Frisch & Sean Kelly [Frisch, Scott A. & Kelly, Sean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Public Finance, Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781594517303
Google: 56aEAQAACAAJ
Goodreads: 8909803
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2010-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

PART II

EARMARKS, THE MEDIA, AND LOBBYISTS

Like the Constitution, which organizes the lines of conflict between Congress and the executive branch over the power of the purse, the First Amendment promotes interaction between the press and the people concerning public expenditures. The media assumes a central role in a democracy by delivering information so that the sovereign public can exercise its democratic responsibilities—including holding their representatives accountable for the way that their tax dollars are spent. In the next chapter we argue that information biases built into the way that the American media report the news lead to widespread misinterpretations of the roles that earmarks play in American politics.

The right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” allows interest groups to promote their interests in Washington. Lobbyists take an active role in helping community groups, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies get appropriations earmarks. Many find lobbyists’ involvement in the earmarking process distasteful at best and corrupt at worst. Their involvement in advocating for their clients is not only constitutionally protected, but, as we argue, lobbyists can play a positive and constructive role in the appropriations process.

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