Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News

Just doing a good job

Apr 20, 2008 - 08:18:11 CDT

By DICK WEBER
Bismarck

Any story with the headline "Earmarks: Is it pork or bringing home the bacon?" must be an interesting read, but I think your article ( April 13) tried to sensationalize the fact that our state's federal representatives are just doing a good job for North Dakota.

When you look at all of the projects that Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy have secured funding for in our state, you'll see an effort to create jobs, improve infrastructure and invest in research and development. All you have to do is read some recent stories from newspapers in the eastern part of the state to understand this impact.

One of North Dakota's biggest problems is the fact that our young people feel like they need to leave the state to get a job. Our congressional team of Dorgan, Conrad and Pomeroy are working to attract more federal research dollars to our universities, which will create the new technology jobs our state needs.

Also, I don't know anyone who thinks that the flood control funding our state has received is "pork." It's crucial to our safety, and every dollar secured at the federal level helps relieve pressure on our local and state budgets.

Competition for federal funds is fierce. We can be thankful Dorgan, Conrad and Pomeroy are getting the job done.

News > Opinion

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Comments

Matt wrote on Apr 20, 2008 9:43 PM:

" The only jobs research dollars will do anything for is make sure their friends at the colleges and universities still have theirs! "

Edward wrote on Apr 20, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Dear Dick: A writer in every state could use your opinion letter by just changing the representatives names and the name of the state. There is no way of knowing if these projects ultimately are a success. That is the problem. "

Huh? wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:41 AM:

" They are (doing a good job)? Sure could have fooled me. I have not seen any new technology jobs being created in this state, or at least none that I have heard of. If there have been new technology jobs created, by all means correct me with specific examples and not broad statements. I am a young person that left the state to find a better paying job. I came back five years ago and nothing has changed in this state (as far as higher paying jobs). These three guys have been in office long enough, I truly believe a change is necessary, whether it be another democrat or republican. "

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