Pork in the Barrel

Dear Mouse,

What is a pork barrel ?

The term "pork barrel," says US pundit William Safire, is derived from a practice during pre-Civil War days in the United States when masters would give their black slaves salted pork in barrels. In 1919, a US journalist wrote: "Oftentimes, the eagerness of the slaves would result in a rush upon the pork barrel, in which each would strive to grab as much as possible for himself. Members of Congress, in their rush to get their local appropriation items…behaved so much like Negro slaves rushing to the pork barrel."

Wikipedia defines it as :

A derogatory term used to describe government spending that is intended to enrich constituents of a politician in return for their political support, either in the form of campaign contributions or votes. Typically it involves funding for government programs whose economic or service benefits are concentrated but whose costs are spread among all taxpayers. Military spending, public works projects and agricultural subsidies are the most commonly cited examples, but do not exhaust the possibilities. Pork barreling is an important explanation for government deficits.

THE Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), is the legislative term for what is generally called the lawmakers’ “pork barrel.

The Ca t sez:

Ang baboy sapatusan mo man ng balat ng baka ay baboy pa rin.

via archie.com

The Ca t