I admit I haven’t checked to see if other elected representatives do this (although, I strongly doubt they do), but this just makes my Libertarian heart go all a-twitter:
House Says Paul Again Set to Return Thousands to Treasury
Note the title says “Again”…
You had me echoing your sentiments until I read the line: “Congressman Paul’s efforts helped to land nearly $50,000,000 in appropriations for crucial projects in this part of Texas last year.”
That does seem like a lot until you consider that it makes up .05% (.0005) of the entire discretionary outlay of 2006 (pdf).
He is one of 435 members of the house, which means he makes up .23% (.0023) of the house. So, his spending is about 1/5 of his representation, which I don’t feel bad about.
Especially since he’s in Texas and everything’s supposed to be bigger in Texas.