Speak for yourself. I like a balanced budget and checkbook. Living and staying within that. Im a Democrat and fiscally conservative and I dont like pork.

Look, some earmarks are good and some are bad. Earmarks put people to work by building parks, updating/upgrading highways, funding research and things of that nature. Then of course there are obvious earmarks which are favors to some big time donor and those are the ones that irk us. But for the most part Roland is right....who cares.

I've been watching you on CNN lately. I love your bright, well thought out answers during the economic discussions on AC360. You're practically a genius, Roland. The brightest guy on TV these days. And cute, too. (Anderson better watch out.)

I just wish they'd ask you more economic questions, Roland. Since you know so much, even more than that silly man John McCain, your wisdom and knowledge can only help during these trying times. Actually, Pres. Obama might want to think about putting you in his cabinet just to be on the safe side.

Based on the wonderful books you've written alone, I think the world is underestimating your vast, economic talents.

What most people fail to realize is that if earmarks were eliminated, NO money would be 'saved'. Earmarks only direct the spending of a predetermined budget, they don't INCREASE it.

If you eliminated an earmark to build a bridge, say, the money just flows back into the 'bridge-building' pot to be spent somewhere else.