Rep. Ryan right in grabbing for 'pork'

Ever since he was sworn in as a member of Congress, Rep. Tim Ryan's disciples have had one persistent question for this writer: When are you going to say something nice about the congressman? Admittedly, Ryan has not fared well in this space.
But for today, at least, there's nothing but praise for the freshman legislator.
No, it isn't because of some legislation he has sponsored that will change the course of human history, nor for some spellbinding speech on the floor of the House.
Ryan earns an enthusiastic sincere "attaboy" from this writer for his unabashed addiction to ... pork -- political, that is.
Perhaps as a college student he discerned a deeper meaning in the cult movie, "Porky's." Or, perhaps he just had a good teacher in former Congressman James A. Traficant Jr. Or, it may well be that he has been a great admirer of U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, the unquestioned king of pork.
Whatever the reason, Ryan, of Niles, D-17th, is already showing a willingness to step up to the trough and slop with the best of them. For that he deserves a rousing "Oink, Oink" from the residents of the Mahoning Valley. (No, this isn't sizzling sarcasm.)
This writer has long adhered to the political philosophy that the primary responsibility of any elected official on the federal or state levels is to bring home the bacon. That position, of course, is demeaned by individuals who view government as some sort of higher calling -- which it isn't.
The people's work
Thus, when Ryan spent the last month or so lobbying the leading members of the House of Representatives for tens of millions of dollars in next year's budget to finance dozens of projects in the 17th District, he was doing the people's work.
So what if he is going after $830,000 to nearly quadruple the size of the 7,500-square-foot National Packard Museum in Warren and $1.1 million to renovate the Robbins Theater and Kinsman House, also in Warren?
And so what if he's trying to get $100,000 for an outdoor exercise track at Streetsboro High School and $200,000 for a memorial plaza and fountain in Portage County (which is in the 17th District)?
There are groups such as Citizens for Government Waste that have convulsions every time the budget wish list makes the rounds on Capitol Hill. But despite all their efforts to wean members of Congress off pork, the Robert Byrds of the world refuse to give up their gluttonous ways.
It is no accident that just about every highway, byway, school and community center, and even an outhouse or two, in West Virginia bear the name of the state's senior senator. But it isn't just Byrd who has an insatiable appetite for such largess.
Remember Traficant, the congressman from the Valley now serving an eight-year sentence in the federal penitentiary? Traficant, who had Ryan on his congressional payroll as an intern, wheeled, dealed and even threatened to make sure the Valley wasn't left out in the political cold.
If anyone thinks that the $26.8 million that Traficant got for the proposed arena project in downtown Youngstown was anything but pork, he or she should consider becoming a vegetarian.
But there are worse examples of what some would consider wasteful government spending than the money Ryan is trying to secure for his district.
How about $50,000 for a tattoo removal program in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., or $270,000 to fight the "Goth culture" in Blue Springs, Mo., or $500,000 to save the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse?
Creative projects
Along those lines, Ryan may want to consider some creative pork projects for the 17th District. How about $500,000 for anti-spitting seminars to be held on college campuses. They could be designed to help students who have a tendency to spit on cops after a night of partying deal with such boorish behavior.
Or, the congressman might want to seek federal funds to establish a chair in the political science department at Youngstown State University that would focus on campaign finance laws. Candidates for political office could learn the difference between a loan and an illegal contribution.
In honor of his former boss, Traficant, Ryan could secure money for the establishment of a boat-scraping course at the vocational school, or a hay-bailing program for elected officials at the extension service.
The bottom line is this: So long as the time-honored tradition of pork barrel politics is upheld in Congress, Ryan should continue to hone his skills.