Monday, December 27, 2004

A World of Pork

Pork barrel spending isn't unique to America. A Philipine journalist argues the issue was one of the most underreported of the year there. Sheila Coronel points out why stories on pork don't fly in her country. It sounds like it could play the same way in the US.

She says it's difficult to see a government respons to "Stories that deal with 'systemic rather than individual wrongdoing.... This is very, very difficult.... Pork barrel, for example, is systemic in the sense that it involves a relationship of patronage between a congressman and his constituents. So although the congressman may make money, the constituents feel that it is something where they can share from the spoils of power.'"

Yeah. But bet they'll still keep reporting on pork in the Philipines. I'll help hold up my end here. (Cyberdyaryo)

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