Kyl: Don't blame us for deficit

Here we go again. My Senator Jon Kyl came out over the weekend blasting Democrats for the growing national deficit and the large number of earmarks in the omnibus spending bill. The GOP was very effective in finding and pointing out the flaws in the stimulus bill, and taking a similar approach here might not be such a bad idea. However, as was pointed out to Senator Kyl, Republicans are looking for their handouts just as much as Democrats, the only difference is that they are not having as much influence in determining who gets what and how that money should be spent. I found it very funny that Senator Kyl tried to justify his earmark proposals of $118 million by saying they were not earmarks, but necessary spending for the improved safety and well-being of his Arizona constituents. I am all for such improvement, but it is a bit ridiculous to categorically deny that they should be defined as earmark projects.