You've probably heard the term "pork barreling" in political discussions, whether on the news or listening to candidates debate. But what does that actually mean? They can't really be arguing over a barrel of pork can they? While politicians seem to be able to argue over anything, the actual issue of pork barrel spending isn't meant to be taken in the most literal sense.
To Coin a Phrase
The origins of the term are not exactly known, but the earliest known usage of "pork barrel" was a metaphor used by Edward Everett Hale in an 1863 short story. Hale used the metaphor then to reflect what it commonly stands for today: appropriating public funds locally for the benefit of a few.
What Is Pork Barrel Spending?
When someone refers to something as pork-barrel spending, it's meant to be shameful and pejorative. But what makes it so bad? Politicians, in their quest to get re-elected, must cater to the needs of their constituents. At the local level, this can be as simple as opposing a tax increase or supporting a curbside recycling program. These positions get reported widely in local papers, and the voters can see what their elected officials are doing.
Things get tougher at the state and federal levels, where voters may not know every vote and position their representatives take. One simple way to show effectiveness to the voters at home is for politicians to help their communities get grants or public funds for projects.
For example, say the residents of a small town need a new bridge to be built. A local politician might lobby the state or US congress to have taxpayer money appropriated to build the bridge. The project would create local jobs, stimulate the local economy and improve the local infrastructure.
On the surface, it might seem like a great idea, but what if the bridge wasn't cost effective? What if there was a better, more affordable solution to the town's problem? What if the town simply sold bonds or raised taxes and paid for the bridge on its own? This is where the problem lies. Pork barrel spending takes money for a costly project that only benefits a few, when that money could be better used to help more people. The cynical view is that the politician is lobbying congress for the money so he can satisfy his constituents and get re-elected, with little concern for the greater good. Sometimes politicians will simply refer to this spending as pork, a label that can be attached to any local aid project.
Like many things in politics, pork barrel spending is highly subjective. The term often comes up during election campaigns and heated debates on spending bills, and it's almost always a charge leveled by one political party against another. Frequently in Washington, one politician's pork is another politician's stimulus plan.
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