According to a Harvard study that used data spanning FOUR DECADES.

Certainly one of those “unintended consequences” – so, why is it done? And, weren’t we supposed to have earmark transparency? Just how much of pork money, er – tax money, has been brought into Maryland?

From the article:    “The pattern repeats itself across decades and over thousands of firms,” notes the Manhattan Institute’s Steven Malanga in his examination of the study, appropriately headlined “Businesses: Beware Pols Bearing Earmarks.” While we commend the Harvard researchers on their scholarship, we can’t say we were surprised by the study’s findings. You don’t have to go to Harvard Business School to see that federal pork distorts the free market with unintended and unpleasant consequences, so encouraging more federal spending is bad economic policy. It is time Washington woke up to that fact.”

Seems someone has an answer to part of the problem.

I wonder if the government is acting on this?

At least, for now. And I’d say it is right on the mark.

As far as I am concerned, we still are. But this latest turnabout between 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and the Israeli PM Netanyahu?

I don’t know. Seems awful petty to me. A shabby way to treat a friend and ally, it seems to me.

Israel needs good and proper friends. We have been. We still need to be.

UPDATE: Another ship boarded this morning.

Right off the bat, I knew when we were hearing about the influx of buyers during the Cash For Clunkers program that this was a temporary spike for the economy. Didn’t last long, so the Administration infused more money into that program effort.

Here’s the proof, thanks to Coyote Blog.

Now, the Administration is claiming the same good feeling involving the new census hires. More – kind of, but also temporary, jobs.

Wow. It’s deja vu all over again.