Paying their dues by SunshineUnderground

The Miami Herald proved its worth yesterday, in an investigative piece that showed, “Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart has procured millions in federal funding to benefit a small Miami-Dade defense-contracting group that has donated tens of thousands of dollars to his political campaign and that of his brother, fellow U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.”

The Mario Diaz-Balart campaign spokesperson told the Herald there was no relationship between the contributions and the earmarks because there is a “firewall” between the Diaz-Balart’s campaign and his government offices, meaning the two offices do not work together. That may be true but it’s also not the issue. A contractor doesn’t need to have contact with campaign staff to contribute and get earmarks in return, and the Diaz-Balarts didn’t receive $67,000 in campaign contributions, as the Herald reported, and not know where it was coming from or why.

In fairness, all congressional reps use earmarks, and there is often an element of quid pro quo, but that’s why we have elections and investigative reporters. The Herald article spells it all out nicely.