The replacement of the aging Sagamore and Bourne Bridges are important to Massachusetts, but what do they have to do with COVID-19 relief? Not much. But the $900 billion, 6,000-page COVID relief package has been saddled with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill as part of a massive $2.3 trillion package.

It's no wonder the Democrats sat on the thing until after the election.

Most members of Congress, eager to get back to the district in time for the holidays, voted quickly to approve this massive spending bill – without reading it. It's par for the course. What the hell, it's your money.

The Cape Cod Times reports the spending bill would allow the Army Corps. to "expedite to pre-construction planning, engineering, and design if justified." Both U.S. Senators from Massachusetts, Ed Markey, and Elizabeth Warren, celebrate the inclusion of funding for the bridge projects as a victory for climate change.

Of course they do.

The bridges are not the only beneficiaries of congressional generosity. Breitbart reports billions have been designated for foreign aid, gender programs in Pakistan, and ship refurbishments in Sri Lanka.

Breitbart reports the plan offers, among other things:

– $170 million to Vietnam
– $198 million to Bangladesh
– $130 million to Nepal
– $506 million to Central American nations
– $453 Million to Ukraine

And $600 to you in a second stimulus payment.

To be fair, the spending bill provides plenty of pork for domestic consumption as well, as indicated by the bridge funding.

This is the COVID relief package that took six months to negotiate. It was passed without being read by most members of Congress. It is a sham. It is disgusting, and it is an insult to the American taxpayer.

This is what we are up against.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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