Before I give the answer to last week's quiz and propose a question for the Labor Day week, I want to take a moment to answer a question from a reader.  What is pork barrel spending, and how did the term originate?

First, as nearly as I can determine, the phrase "pork barrel" originated back in the days of the old fashioned general store.  It seems the store was frequently a gathering place for local residents who would sit around and gossip or discuss issues of the day.  As a service to his customers the store owner would provide a barrel of pickled pig parts (such as pickled pig's feet) for his patrons to snack on while they visited.  Over time the phrase came to refer to dipping into the public barrel to satisfy an appetite.  Hence, pork barrel spending has come to represent politicians who are dipping into the public revenues for the advantage of their patrons.  Most of the associated spending is for the benefit of a small number of voters with the express purpose of "buying" their votes.  If anyone has a different explanation for "pork barrel spending" I'd enjoying hearing it.

So, now on to the quiz.  The correct answer to last week's quiz was:

C. $27.3 billion.  That's a lot of wasted money.

This week's question is a simple true or false.  One of the issues in nearly every Presidential election is whether or not the taxes will be raised.  True or False, The President of the United States have the authority to levy taxes.

     A.  True
     B.  False

I look forward to your answers and comments.  The answer will be in next week's quiz.