Shrimp Gone Wild -- And Other Things Your Tax Dollars Pay For

Even though Washington's run up a record deficit, Congress has found plenty of money for pork projects: $335,000 to protect North Dakota sunflowers from blackbirds, $50,000 to control wild hogs in Missouri, and $443,000 to develop salmon fortified baby food. Yum. Then there's a cool million bucks or the "Wild American Shrimp Iniative."

Members of Congress tack on pet projects to brag about bringing home the bacon. It helps if you're on the Appropriations Committee where spending is hashed out before it's handed out. Sen Richard Shelby (R-AL) is on that committee. He tacked on enough special items for his home state to fill out 20 press releases. (AP via Yahoo!)