Your tax dollars at work

I read most of the media trades, and you see a lot of stories that make you feel dirty. The spin that comes out of Hollywood or the TV industry can sometimes make the politicians look like boy scouts. But here’s a story that just pisses you off.

The Bush administration has spent $1.6 billion on ad agencies and p.r. firms over the past two-and-a-half years. That’s billion with a “b.” For spin.

And, among those billions, were contracts for agencies providing “‘expert advice and support in the development of several marriage-related research initiatives,’ an educational campaign regarding the 'Medicare Modernization Act, and its coverage and benefits,’ and a contract regarding ‘message development that presents the Army's strategic perspective in the global war on terrorism.’"

In other words, your government is spending your tax money to encourage marriage (translation – make sure those homos can’t marry, red state America does not approve); sell the Medicare drug plan (translation – it’s been a disaster and we have to try to appease the senior citizens); and talk up the Army (translation – we need more bodies, because recruitment has fallen off dramatically since the Iraq debacle began).

Tell me again, how the Democrats are the wasteful big spenders?

And, by the way, how many cops, teachers, fire houses, border patrol agents, airport security systems, or reconstructed homes in Katrina-ravaged areas could that $1.6 billion have paid for?