William McGurn: When Congress Spends, Worse Is Better

Why does congress pass huge bills that are so obviously laden with pork?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123664192950777585.html

Highlights:

What the public does not understand is that the more earmarks there are in a bill, the harder it will be to vote against it. The reason is simple: With every earmark, a congressman or senator gains a personal stake in the passage of a bill he or she might otherwise oppose.

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"Washington is like 'the Godfather,'" says Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "The earmarks are favors from the Don. And once you've asked for his help, you're in it together -- whether you want to be or not."