Tina: Not only unethical deals, but also some corrupt behaviors as well. Can you imagine how many billions of dollars would be wasted by some corrupt contractors whose work is not even regulated by the Congress?

Tom: How awful! Are “earmark” spending and “pork barrel” spending related?

Tina: Yes, “earmark” and “pork barrel” spending are often treated as synonyms, but they are not quite the same.

Tom: What are the differences?

Tina: Well, some say that an earmark is an objective determination, and the “pork-barrel” spending is a subjective expenditure.

Tom: I am not sure I understand what an objective determination or a subjective expenditure is.

Tina: It’s hard to explain. Let me put this way: one man’s pork is another man’s barrel.

Tom: Hmmmm, I still don’t get it.

Tina: Pork barrel spending is money being spent on something that’s not essential, but used to pay off a special interest or to “buy a vote” in the legislation.

Tom: So pork barrel spending refers to government spending that is intended to benefit a lawmaker’s constituent in return for his or her political support or vote in legislation?

Tina: Yes, that’s pretty much the way it works.

Tom: I have heard the expression “bringing home the bacon.” Does this mean that a lawmaker supplies his or her constituents with pork barrel funding?

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