What are “Earmarks”?

In the realm of politics “earmarks” are used to refer to federal money directed to specific projects. For example, Boston’s “Big Dig” was financed by a large earmark that cost the tax payers around fourteen billion dollars. The word has often been used in this year’s election campaign with a negative connotation. McCain is famously against earmarks and “pork barrel spending”.

In the past, earmarks were non-existent and deemed unconstitutional. John C. Calhoun’s plan in 1817 to link the East and South United States to the Western Frontier was turned down by James Madison. However, ever since that time earmarks have become more and more prevalent in politics as State power declined and Federal power increased. Earmarks became a way of life after the Civil War. The Trans-Continental Railroad, the Hoover Dam, and Mount Rushmore are all examples of projects financed by earmarks.