I'm pretty sure the coming nationwide sovereign debt crisis won't be that great for Central Texas, either.

Once a preacher who is considered to have preached the greatest moral code in history preached against the worship of the god Mammon (wealth or money). This country has a huge number of Mammonites. In the name of Mammon, we practice human sacrafices. Lives are sacraficed for oil, war profiteers, and insurance companies, just to name a few. Unfortunately, Chet stands with the disciples of Mammon. Jesus of Nazareth preached that sermon...you know, the one called Christ by many who claim to follow his teachings (Christians). People are dying in unwarranted wars and occupations and becuse we "can't afford" to provide adequate health care.

Chet will get my vote! A lot of you have not done your homework before commenting. I am an independent voter and anyone looking at what Chet does you will easily see that he votes what he thinks is best. Not what Obama wants, not what Pelosi wants and not what the far left wing or right wing wants. We need more people like him in Washington. And by the way I didn't vote for Obama, but when he won I thought I would give him a fair chance and support him since he is our President. Well the jury is in and he is a great disappointment.

Anonymous, what do you think Universal Healthcare is? What do you think offering affordable Healthcare is? The Healthcare industry isn't going to just lower their rates. That's where the government run Healthcare comes into play. And Obama isn't just offering it, he's requiring it. So all these families barely scraping by now, will be forced to pay for healthcare in addition.

"what I have learned from the Waco Tea party about his 2 faces I was convicted that he has been lying to and so has the people here in Central Texas for many years" - like what?

'I have very good healthcare insurance, a primary and secondary and I want to make sure mine is not altered.' - Obamacare is only going to help uninsured welfare bums - at the expense of all of us who are already insured. If you are already insured now (most of us gainfully-employeed, hard-working Middle Class), then you will have nothing to gain and everything to lose with Obamacare. If they wanna cut pork, pull out of the MidEast, stop giving foreign aid to Israel and cut welfare/AFDC/WIC (paying daddyless liberal idiots to breed).

No comments on earmarks. You all just go right ahead and vote yourself into a ghost town. That is where you are headed, so we may as well speed up the process and get it done. Maybe when all the money stops coming in from Washington all the poor and homeless will move elsewhere along with everyone else. Waco will then no longer be a bathroom stop on I-35. It will just be a spot of dirt by side of the road.

I like the ABC!!!!!!!

We need to REVOKE congressional PENSION'S NOW!

Mr. Edward's was alway's a career politician, only looking for that pie in the sky retirement plan that our congress get's for doing absolutlely nothing!

Mr. Edward's? You are very proud of the L-3 job's you saved. How many of those job's required Visa's and How many of those job's went to India or other countries outside U.S. Border's?

Chet I like you as a helper to the veterans you are the best but as far as the rest of us you have lost touch with our concerns along with the rest of the stubborn minded in Washington and it's time to clean out those who won't listen ! you pass this on to the rest of them up there because we the people are taking our country back and you the stubborn minded are gone!

The real saying this year for Chet is ABC (Anyone But Chet) !!!!

Cheat Edwards is not looking out for us her. Chet is a puppet for Obama and Pelosi. He will do whatever they tell him to do.

I have always voted for Chet in the past but after what I have learned from the Waco Tea party about his 2 faces I was convicted that he has been lying to and so has the people here in Central Texas for many years. My vote this year and hope any others will be "Anyone except Chet Edwards" . I just ask myself why the Local Republican leadership did not point this out in the past. It took a group of brave citizens to show us the real Chet Edwards. Thank you Waco Tea Party.

Alan, What good work are you saying Chet is doing for us?? He does what Nancy Pelosi tells him to do not us in his district. Look at his voting record yourself. He will vote both ways so he can say he voted for it and not for the bill. Read up and study what this man has not done for us. There are 2 different Chet Edwards. A DC Chet and a District Chet. Chet's voting record is one of the WORST in DC.

Earmarks or not it is our tax dollars being spent. I am surprised that Chet would say it so bluntly. He is bragging about all the bacon he brings home. What about the novel idea of keeping more of our tax dollars so that we can invest in our communites insteas of politicans deciding where to spend your money. We should all be looking at the big picture and ask yourselvs what has he done for the country? The GOP did the right thing by stating that they would not attach earmarks to legisation going forward.

to Farmerbob: Amen Brother!

So what now Chet? Do you go and ask Nancy Pelosi for permission to vote with the people that elected you? If she say's no you ignore us?

Goodbye Chet and Good Riddance! i do not want Nancy Pelosi's *itch! as my rep!

Reagan tripled the national debt from $1 trillion to $3 trillion. Bush 1 added another trillion to $4 trillion. Clinton ended about where he started -- $4 trillion. Bush 2 took it from $4 trillion to over $12 trillion, when the economy was not in bad shape. He left the economy in such bad shape that economists say we need to do some deficit to avoid a long lasting great depression like the '30s, with 25% or more out of work. BTW, the bills in Congress do not "take over" health care or make it "government run" health care. They just make it more available for those who do not have it through an employer and put some restraints on the insurance industry to keep them from screwing you after collecting your money.

Very typical of people here in Waco to make racist statements against minorities. Like Ms. V says, all you have to do is drive around and observe for yourself here locally to see just as many or more whites taking advantage of government assistance. White people have gotten over and robbed other demographics so much in the past it ain't funny. I laugh today when many of them say or type that they have worked so hard for what they have. So many times, what they have are the results of years of hustling non whites that has been passed on to another generation. Education is the key black people. Education cannot be taken away from you. Rather than sit around and listen to a lot of rhetoric from the local crooks, educate yourself. Don't frequent the check cashing places. Don't frequent the rent to own businesses. All the local council folks who represent poorer areas..do something useful for the people instead of building them a house of cards built on sand. A lot of Wacoans still canot stand the fact that President Obama was elected. A nation elected him, not a demographic. Chet Edwards has done more for Waco and the people in Waco than the last 20 city council members put together. A lot of people just steer their racial hatred of President Obama towards Chet Edwards because they are of the same party.

Keep up the good work Chet. Thanks to Chet, more than 300 new jobs were created at the Waco VA and jobs were saved in Coolidge and at L-3. How many of our friends and family would have lost their job if Chet had not helped? Chet also voted AGAINST the Dem Health Care Reform Bill because he felt there was too much spending connected with it. Chet doesn't vote like Pelosi wants,he's not a YES man, he votes with his conscience and what is good for his constituents. He also saved the VA from closing. Congressman Edwards cares about the people of McLennan County. He doesn't request money for Bridges To Nowhere, he requests money to help McLennan County as well as the other counties he serves.

What minorities are you referring to big ron? This is a prime example of the racist statements I spoke of in another blog earlier. I can't speak for anyone else, but the benefits I received were well earned, not given to me, after 30 years as a licensed Nurse probably taking care of some of your relatives that people like you should have had at home taking care of them yourself. "(minorities eating/using up all of the benefits)." I'll give you the same advice I gave miss behavin in another post; ride through Austin Ave. anyday you choose and come back into this blog and tell me how many whites you see sitting in there, just look through the windows. I don't have to google statistics on this, especially stats that someone else in another state somewhere tried to do a study on. Ride by there and see it for yourself. I think you'll find quite a few whites eating/using up the benefits too.

keep up the good work chet.

Lady --Oboma has increased the national debt by TRILLIONS since he has been in office--he spent more money in ONE year than Bush did in EIGHT years. The PORK bill that Edwardss voted for--google it and see where the money went--like 8 BILLION FOR ACORN this country will implode if we continue---watch Greece--we are next--if you own any dollars soon they will be worthless and Oboma will have won

Well folks, you can't have your cake and eat it too. So regardless of who you want to put the blame on, a lot of things are going to have to be done. And We all are going to suffer in some way. Social Security needs to go back to the original way as it started back in 1935. And then be better managed. Medicare/Medicaid needs an overhaul and also be better managed(minorities eating/using up all of the benefits). O'Bama has ADD(attention deficite disorder). And all the Kings horses and all the Kings men can't put it back together again. The fat needs to be cut on the Government Budget. But We-The-People are still going to suffer with higher Taxes, Health Insurance payments, then Inflation is going to hit(go sky-high). So thanks Bud Abbott/Lou Costello; "Who's on First"??

the us spent more money in the mo of Feb--just passed than any month in the history of US--I was watching Baylor basketball last evening and happened to surf to Fox News and they were listing the earmarks--we are crazy to reelect these guys--I was astounded

Edwards votes 95% of the time with Pelosi--enough said (Washington Post) as a vet I am tired of him riding my back to stay in office--which uniform did he wear?? He is just another pol that needs to be booted out and give te seat to someone that dont own his soul to someone

Chet is responsive to his district and represents us well. The Bush administration and the Republicans in Congress are the ones who have spent us into a huge hole over the past decade with their upper-class tax cuts, unfunded Medicare legislation, and two wars that they started with no planning. Where were all of the anti-tax protesters then?? Pay down the deficit and spend money responsibly!! I know that this is what Chet stands for, I have written to him and spoken with his staff about fiscal issues.

"The federal deficit under the current administration has been increasing at a rate that can't be sustained and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out." Obama inherited this deficit from Bush last year. I don't know what makes some people think Obama can undo the damage in one year that Bush and the Republican Congress did in 8 yrs. I do think soc. sec. disability and retirement and medicare funds should be in a separate fund and used for what it is collected for. I don't think you should have to hire a lawyer to get your benefits through social security disability if you've paid into the system all of your working life, and for whatever reason you can't work anymore. The only way you can get your SSDI is to hire a lawyer, sounds like SSA is in some type of an agreement with the ABA. Maybe the SSA gets apart of that money through the ABA.

Yep, Chet has served the area well. He has prevented numerous suicides, overdoses,repossessions, utility disconnects also. Now people want to talk behind his back and such.

It's my understanding the "ear marks" are less than 1% of actual budget spending. I think we need to look at other ways to cut fed spending such as pay as you go spending. This forces Congress to make cuts when the money isn't there to pay for items. I know Chet's for this. Also, lets keep in mind that if it weren't for Chet our VA Hospital and funding for Ft. Hood would not have happened. Chet's done great things for this community and has served us well.

If the politicions cared about the people they are supposed to represent they would scrap the healthcare takeover and they would put the S.S. & medicare taxes into a seperate fund to be used only for the purpose they were collected.Chet has been blowing smoke for years about a S.S. fund and lockbox. It's a lie! The taxes go into the general revenue and are spent the same as income tax. Social security & medicare are in trouble NOT because the taxes are not high enough BUT because the politicions are using the revenue to expand government and their political power.The federal deficit under the current administration has been increasing at a rate that can't be sustained and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

I can't say anything negative about Chet Edwards. When I needed his help he was right there for me and helped me secure my benefits/entitlements. So, he's alright in my opinion_keep up the good work Chet!!

Just dont put in a democrat, one commie president democrat and his cronies is enough.... YEAH !!! for change hehe we got change , I'm waiting on the hope part. Obama what a freaking joke

Chet's forever happy with high taxes and playing a shell game with local leaders and voters that he's getting back some of our own money with federaly funded local projects that he takes credit for and has his picture, handing out checks that we cover, on the front page of the Trib. On the great issues of the day Chet has always been AWOL but happy to work behind closed doors in Washington as an enabler of the Progressive-big government agenda. His assertion that our prosperity depends on his ability to wrangle money out of Washington is disturbing and insulting. What government giveth, government can taketh away. Let us be free to make our own decisions with our money without the false benevolence of a local potentate like Mr. Edwards.

I don't know the details of the healthcare reform bill, and the state officials I've contacted to inquire about it don't want to comment on it. I have very good healthcare insurance, a primary and secondary and I want to make sure mine is not altered. As far as the deficit is concerned, Obama inherited this deficit from Bush last year. I don't know what makes some people think Obama can undo the damage in one year that Bush and the Republican Congress did in 8 yrs. Some say they don't want government involved in their healthcare choices, what do you think Medicaid, and Medicare is. Yes, if you've paid into Medicare all your working life you have some choices about your benefits_but ultimately Medicare (the government) has the final say so because they will not pay for any and everything. They have limitations just like Bluecross/Blueshield, Aetna, Humana, Kaiser...and any of the other insurance companies.

Time for a new Congressman!!!

Chet is just another politician that has been there too long,We need people who will represent us and protect our constitution,not people who put themselves first.Chet has lied to the people befor and he is lying again.There are 535 members of congress and 100 senators.If each one adds a million dollars of pork to the budget,thats 635 million dollars.He apparently thinks that's chickenfeed,but then it's not his money he's spending.He will vote to raise taxes so he can spend more of our money.It is time for term limits and it's time for Chet to go home!

Edwards needs to be sent home in November!

We can talk about pigs next month. The big question is Madam Pelosi going to allow Chet to vote against Obama Care as she did last time? Pelosi/Edwards 2012

Reading comments, news coverage and bias from both sides, it seems we're against ear marks, just not ours. Health coverage? Well, again, if we have good health coverage that we can afford, who cares about anyone else, seems to be the general mindset. I wonder, if we had Universal Health Coverage, do you think we would need Medicare? The fearmongers like to crow about how our Insurance rates will go up if a Health Care bill is passed-well, let me tell you, the rates are skyrocketing now without a Health Care Bill. I think the Ins. companies would do a fast back peddle in rates, if the Health Care Bill passes.

chet vote yes on healthcare. keep up the good work.

This mess is a smoke screen to throw the american people off track to the real 600lb gorilla in the room. That is healthcare reform. For anybody like myself and everybody else to the government is going to cut your entitlements that is they are going to do away with medical care and other things that are grouped in the entitlement package. Dif you know that these that everybody says needs to be cut are benefits that you have paid into the system to guarantee that you would recieve medical care and a social security check each month after you retire. They are going to slash how much of your money you receive and the most important thing you are going to have the amount of medical care you can receive each month and a cap is going to be put on the total you can receive in a year. Call or email your congressman to vote no on the healthcare package.

This mess is a smoke screen to throw the american people off track to the real 600lb gorilla in the room. That is healthcare reform. For anybody like myself and everybody else to the government is going to cut your entitlements that is they are going to do away with medical care and other things that are grouped in the entitlement package. Dif you know that these that everybody says needs to be cut are benefits that you have paid into the system to guarantee that you would recieve medical care and a social security check each month after you retire. They are going to slash how much of your money you receive and the most important thing you are going to have the amount of medical care you can receive each month and a cap is going to be put on the total you can receive in a year. Call or email your congressman to vote no on the healthcare package.

Funny that the Trib didn't mention Chet Edwards' ties with the PMA group .... As to the Earmarks, yes "government" money does help communities... but what IS "government money"? IT IS YOUR MONEY! The government doesn't have it's own money, it taxes you to give it to someone else or pay for the govt bills. So don't be fooled by the term "government" money. If our taxes weren't so high (especially on businesses) we wouldn't need "govt" money from D.C. to help out Waco, we could use our OWN money that never left the city!

Hey Chet, where is the pork spending now for us now??? Maybe you can talk to your buddy Nancy Pelosi and get some advice or will you receive a cabinet position from Obama?

I am still trying to figger this out. We send our tax money to Washington, then they hire people to count, manage and distribute it back to us a little at a time as a favor. Why don't we just leave our money with the rightful owner to start with?

Outside of the war defense spending is about 4% of the budget. The entitlements are huge and no politician wants to take a stand on them. Social Security - Stop the program for those about to turn 16. Borrow what ever we must to take care of those who have paid in to it. Medicaid/Medicare - if you are on it and you get a tax return you must forfeit the return. Really cut out the waste and fraud. Hammer offenders with serious fines or jail time. Budget should be pay as you go. Period. Only defense is an exception. Oh yeah, this really PO's me, use it or lose it in the federal budget. I watched the Army drive tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles drive around in circles in Korea in 1996 after a typhoon wiped out the gunnery range. It was bad enough the unit's equipment was in deplorable shape but we made it even worse. Talk about waste!

Poor Chet will not be able to buy votes this time.

So what Hyde is saying is that Baylor does try to get government money, and that when it gets government money it puts it to good use?? Ok. Now, I'm gonna say that there are so many hypocrites here in Waco in all facets. You have insitutions such as Baylor and L3 that utilize government money, yet you have employees at these same institutions who want to knock others for receiving government money of some sort. So many here in Waco want sit high on their mule and talk down on certain demographics about government assistance of some sort. Government money is government money no matter how you label it. Fact is Waco would be even more of a crap hole without government money. A lot of these so called soccer moms would not have a job to pay for that Suburban, Traverse, or minivan if the legendary Chet Edwards hadn't been working hard to get earmarks for this area. A lot of dudes here couldn't afford to buy a new truck, and so on and so on. Don't believe me? Look no further than L3 starting to complain. Listen no further than the legendary Chet Edwards saying himself that it's bad for Waco. What's the difference between L3 geting a government grant and an individual getting some government assistance? There is no difference. It all comes from the same source. The city limit sign of Waco should be changed to read Hypocritical Waco. On another note 21, I guess the deficit can be viewed as part of an individual's personal debt. Right now, I am not worried about paying back my share of the deficit. I feel like I am entitled to at least 8 years to pay off my share since W. Bush messed off the surplus Bill Clinton left him with. So I'll worry about my share in 8 years.

To be honest, I don't see how any of this matters anyhow. The truth is hard to hear and understand, but the U.S. is in so much debt it is nearly impossible to ever pay it off. Over 82% of the Federal budget goes for Defense and Medicare/Social Security (entitlement) spending. This portion is considered untouchable. This portion would have to receive major cuts in order for cutting the other 17% like agencies, earmarks and really everything else to make a difference. The point is we are either going to downsize the Defense budget and entitlement budgets or we will have to raise taxes on everyone by significant amounts to eliminate our debt so its not at an incredible and unreasonable amount. Does anyone really think our leadership can or are willing to accomplish this? I don't. Maybe one day we will just have to settle our debt for a discounted rate...I don't know...but we are around 14 TRILLION Dollars in debt and all signs indicate that number will continue to rise...so we are just _out of luck.