by the Way . . .

Congressional Republicans somehow got the idea that the $442 million earmarked for Alaska's two remote "bridges to nowhere" were undermining their image of fiscal austerity, as well as their efforts to cut spending on social programs like Medicaid and food stamps. To straighten this out, they eliminated the requirement that the money be spent on those specific bridges. The $443 million will now go to Alaska with no strings attached. They can spend it on whatever transportation projects they want, including, of course, the bridges. Alaska's representatives had earlier defeated an effort to shift the bridge money to hurricane relief, by Senator Ted Stevens threatening to resign. He felt the money was vital to spur economic development on Gravina Island and Knik (most of the 50 people there are underemployed). That was a risk the republicans just couldn't take, as there was always the remote possibility of his being replaced by a Democrat. Ted is unhappy, but has agreed to stay. This successful strategy caused some Democrats to urge their Ted to threaten to resign if cuts were made on spending for the poor, but a spokeswoman said "Teddy isn't ready."

This move appeared to give the Republicans a two-fer. If Alaska now decides to spend on something more useful, it will show how careful the Pubs are with the taxpayers' money. And, it is delegating to the states a decision previously federal.

Fiscal conservatives celebrated their victory. Best of all, the 6,000 other pet projects earmarked in the $286 billion highway bill were not affected.