Rep. John Shadegg scolded Democrats concerning earmarks during a floor speech late Tuesday night.Earmarks are funds provided by the Congress for particular projects or programs. Language in the legislation that authorizes the projects specifically circumvents the usual merit-based or competitive allocation process, or specifies the location or recipient of the funds.An ample number of Congressmen use earmarks to bring federal projects to their districts to appease constituents. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget noted that in fiscal 2005, Congress funded 13,492 earmark projects totaling $18.9 billion. During the fall elections, Democrats across the country promised voters they intended to curtail earmarks, or at least be more open about the process.According to Shadegg, they

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