The headline of today’s Arizona Republic reads, “Arizona ranks last in pork-barrel cash.” Is this a good or bad thing?

In this world of quick sound bites, the three $0 spenders will make political hay over not putting earmarks into the budget. After all, United States Senator Ted Stevens has taught us that earmarks are wasteful projects such as bridges in Alaska built to nowhere. However, not all ear marks are bad, per se. Of the top five earmarks in Arizona listed in the paper, two are repairing military installations and three are for flood plain control. These certainly seem reasonable.

On page B2 of the Republic is an announcement that Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is endorsing Bob Lord for CD-3 in his race against $0 spender John Shadegg. Why is Mayor Phil supporting Bob Lord? Why wouldn’t the Mayor support our man Shadegg who is adverse to earmarks? Well, that’s the reason. Lord is committed to get federal funding for such necessary items as transportation (that’s a good idea as our highways are clogged and we now have the basic infrastructure for light rail), homeland security (also a pretty good idea as Phoenix is one of the nation’s largest cities and growing,) and public safety (most agree this is a good idea).

Here is the moral of the story… not all earmarks are bad. Senator McCain, Representative Flake, and Representative Shadegg have turned this issue into an all-or-nothing proposition… that may make for a good sound bite but it’s TERRIBLE public policy. If a Congressional member is asking for a wasteful earmark, hold him or her accountable. But do not assume that all earmarks are Alaskan bridges to nowhere.