I interviewed Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman the other day about his fight to win John McHugh’s House seat in the upcoming special election.<\/p>\n
Hoffman describes himself as a fiscally conservative Republican (despite his party affiliation) and says he’s running because he fears that career politicians in Washington and Albany could bankrupt us.<\/p>\n
But when I asked him about earmarks — I mentioned Federal funding for the multi-million dollar Lake Placid bobsled run as an example — Hoffman supported them enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
“That’s a perfect example of bringing money home that gets the return on the investment that the taxpayer makes in the economy.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Hoffman also supported more Federal funding for economic development programs in Watertown.<\/p>\n
“We have to start looking at getting government investment in the Watertown area to build up up the economy so that Fort Drum isn’t the only stimulus to the economy…”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This kind of thing is music to the ears of many locals. State and Federal money — paid for largely by taxpayers in other places — already drives much of our regional economy.<\/p>\n
Frankly, it’s great politics. But it’s hard to see how it squares with a fiscally conservative agenda. <\/p>\n
(Using big government to stimulate the economy is usually seen as a mantra of the Democratic Party.)<\/p>\n
The truth is, every House district in the United States has a project that’s the equivalent of Lake Placid’s bobsled run.<\/p>\n
Every district has a small city like Watertown that wants more and more taxpayer dollars to spur the economy.<\/p>\n
One man’s pork is another man’s sensible government investment. And yes, using the Federal treasury in this way has led us to run up massive deficits.<\/p>\n
So how does Hoffman’s call for even more Federal spending in the 23rd District align with his call for lower taxes and smaller government?<\/p>\n