In a clear sign that our elected representatives are entirely out of touch with the majority of the American people, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer is apparently under the impression that we don’t mind a little pork here and there.

“And let me say this to all of the chattering class that so much focuses on those little, tiny, yes, porky amendments, the American people really don’t care,” he said on the Senate floor. “The American people care far more that there’s a proposal in the bill, this one I pushed, that gives a $2,500 credit to families who pay tuition to put their kids through college. Great relief.”

I suppose it is easy for politicians to spend money that is not theirs.  I also presume that crafting a bill expensive enough to make the American people believe that they are “doing something” is perfectly within their view of public service.  But to suggest that the pork-ridden stimulus bill currently under debate is something that the American people are willing to tolerate, for no other reason than the simple fact that it exists, is entirely reprehensible.  Clearly, our politicians could not possibly care any less about the financial future of our nation.

Or is it?  The stimulus package was drafted and voted on by career politicians elected by the people.  The people, largely government-educated, keep these politicians in office.  So long as the pork is spent on them, do the American people care?  Can Americans pull themselves away from American Idol long enough to pay attention to where their money is being spent, wasted and downright lost?

Maybe Schumer is right.  Perhaps the American people really are that dense, that carefree, that content with our government to let these “tiny pork” amendments pass.