CONGRESSMAN JOHN CAMPBELL:

Over the weekend, a local building on Capitol Hill, known as “Eastern Market,” burned down. The place is well known by locals in D.C. and is often frequented by members of Congress — many of whom live nearby. On Monday, Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-D.C.), was quoted in several papers stating that she is going to try and get federal funding to help rebuild it. Her justification for this use of taxpayer dollars was the following: “It’s a popular place for members to go.”

I am completely puzzled. Why in the world should the American taxpayer be asked to help pay for the rebuilding of a local market that has no connection to the federal government, except that several members of Congress live nearby?

I would submit that if Del. Holmes-Norton and other members are so concerned about rebuilding Eastern Market than they should dip into their own pockets to help out — not just unassumingly take from the taxpayers. It sure is a lot easier to spend money when it is not yours, than when it is.

Our whole government is built on that notion . . . .