Stimulus Stuffed With Pork

President Obama promised his $900 billion stimulus package would be "free from earmarks and pet projects," but a new study of the 1,400-page bill found many provisions designed to help special interests. According to a joint investigation by ProPublica and WNYC Radio, the stimulus includes an insurance exemption "only for companies that work on recreational boats longer than 65 feet," a Medicare benefit for only three hospitals, and the requirement that the Transportation Security Administration purchase 100,000 new uniforms from domestic suppliers. The Senate version, meanwhile, includes "$50 million for habitat restoration and other water needs in the San Francisco Bay Area" and "$62 million for military projects in Guam" while Rep. Bruce Braley added $500 million to the House bill for biofuel makers.