What Defines Pork?

[ShockBand]

One of the items in the article linked below naming "Oinkers of the Year" includes 3.5 million supported by Brownback, Roberts, and Tiahrt for our very own National Institute for Aviation Research. I realize 3.5 million by itself in the fed budget is but a flyspeck, but it does raise the question of what defines "pork" spending? Does one consider this OK because it benefits a local research entity? If so, then what are the criteria for being pork or beneficial spending?

I usually stay out of the political fray, but was curious about perceptions on stuff like this.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/14/earmarks.report.oinkers/index.html?hpt=T1

[RoyalShock]

My feeling is that as long as the feds are going to take our money and dole it back out through earmarks, our representation should try to get as much of it back as they can.

In the meantime they should be trying to eliminate all earmark appropriations and reduce taxes and the budget accordingly.

But as long as the system is the way it is, then work within it.