I read with interest an article in the Bismarck Tribune on Sat., Feb. 14, by Brian Duggan.
It stated a poll was conducted, prior to the vote on the Economic Recovery and Stimulus Bill, asking 600 North Dakotans about a hypothetical race between Sen. Byron Dorgan and Gov. John Hoeven. Dorgan received 57 percent of this vote. I wonder what the vote would be if this poll was taken today, after Dorgan, Conrad and Pomeroy voted yes on this bill.
I am not as angry about their yes votes as I am about the fact they didn't read it. They don't know what they voted for. All they know is that "all the economists" say we need this. They voted with their party. That isn't so bad but they didn't read it! It would have been refreshing to hear just one of them say, "Mr. President, or Sen. Reid or Rep. Pelosi, I plan on voting for this but can't for a few days. Those darn people I work for in North Dakota are so conservative...and old-fashioned; they think I should know what I'm voting for before voting!"
If our senators and representative can tell us they read the bill (which is virtually impossible) that opens another set of questions. Remember this is supposed to retain or increase jobs...green golf carts? Art projects? Money for Philippine veterans? Fish hatcheries? A rail from Los Angeles to Vegas? A study to compare effectiveness of healthcare? Not too many jobs created in any of that. Maybe our congressmen agree with Sen. Schumer who stated, "Americans do care about a little pork." My understanding is this will cost each married couple $10,200 -- that's more than "a little pork" to me. All of us in North Dakota work too darn hard to be giving a dime to these projects.
I think we all know how this will go. The next election we will hear about all the money these three congressmen brought back to North Dakota. And, I'm sure there will be some. But, why don't we all just write out our $10,200 check to the state?
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I have a lot more confidence that Hoeven and our legislators would be better stewards of our money. I bet, at the very least, that they will take the time to read spending bills before voting. And by the way, let's do that hypothetical poll again.
Jacki Barman, Dickinson
