Tom Coburn in Fed Up!, by Rick Perry

On Government Reform: Earmarks are unconstitutional perversion of Congress' duties

"In addition to being an unconstitutional perversion of our duties, earmarks also drive spending higher and distract Congress from its oversight responsibilities. Earmarks are the gateway drug to spending addiction in Congress because they encourage members of Congress to vote for bloated bills they would otherwise oppose. Earmarks also waste money outright, contrary to the views of many members. If Congress stopped earmarking we could reduce spending by the same amount. We are not helpless victims to the budget rules we set for ourselves. Plus, the effective legislator is not one who sends money back to his to her state through pork. Instead, the effective legislator is one who prevents money from leaving their state."