Congress presents legislation with an intent to remedy or improve a specific issue. Often the original intent becomes secondary when legislators tack on a perk for their state in exchange for a supporting vote. This is an earmark. Instead of creating a new bill addressing these perks for the states, a well intentioned bill gets edited to include more than originally intended. The vote is not truly on the original intention, but whether or not to receive perks for a state. This system of allowing additional agreements inside a clearly defined bill is causing confusion and animosity. Keep legislation at face value and stop hiding perks and earmarks inside legislation that was not created for them.



