Do what I say, not what I do

This is a mantra of many of our leaders. The NY Times lists a few examples today. Naturally, it focuses on Republicans and on those who are serving their first term. Here are some of the examples, all of which came from the candidates who vowed to cut government spending.

• Tim Scott of South Carolina got the initial payment for dredging the harbor at Charleston. The cost of the dredging is expected to exceed $300,000,000. The Army Corp of Engineers opposed the project.
• Jon Runyan of New Jersey opposed the Republican Study Committee and was able to convince his fellow legislators to spend $95,000,000 to replace sand on the beaches, a task usually the province of state and local governments.
• Sean Duffy of Wisconsin was able to get approval for an unspecified amount of money to build a bridge which te National Park Service says violates the Wild and Scenic River Act by harming the river’s scenic and recreational qualities.
• Steven Palazzo of Mississippi restored $180,000,000 for his district depite the fact that these funds had been cut earlier.