The Spending Span

Published August 6, 2007 4:00am ET



After pledging to voters last fall that they would run a more fiscally responsible Congress than the Republicans, the Democratic majority has ultimately fallen prey to temptation. Here’s some background for you:

With new rules, Congress boasts of pet projects (NY Times)

Watchdog group says Murtha is king of the earmarks (AP)

Pretend reform (The Examiner’s editorial)

Earmarks prove popular, dangerous (AP)

I drew up about seven different sketches for this cartoon, each one showing the bridge from a different angle but using the same concept and words. Originally, I had the bridge connecting the Capitol building to the U.S. Treasury, but I thought that would be too cumbersome. As deadline loomed, I decided to go with my instincts and draw the thing straight-on from the side. I just wish I could draw the Capitol better.