Come and get it.....

Lawmakers Put Out New Call for Earmarks

Undeterred by criticism from President Bush and Senator John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, lawmakers have told outside groups to file all requests for earmarks within two weeks, so lawmakers can submit their proposals to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by mid-March.

Many lawmakers have created online “request forms” for people to use in seeking federal money for local projects. The House Appropriations Committee has a Web site on which House members are asked to submit their requests for earmarks by March 19.

The government as vending machine....