Lousy mohair-covered Irish

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, reloads after TSA porn and earmarks and takes aim at government waste. And thus was born the Sunset Caucus — "in reference to the idea that wasteful government programs should be “sunset,” or eliminated."

Now, aside from the fact that the right honorable congressman can say and do what he wants because his minority position and freshman status means he has nothing to lose, it seems like a reasonable stand to take.

What's even more fun are the three federal programs he's targeting first. (Think what you want about his positions, but Chaffetz is one hell of a marketer.) To the (truncated) press release!

Federal Subsidies for Mohair: $28 million:

Mohair subsidies were originally authorized to help hold down the cost of military uniforms, but the Army and Navy have not used mohair in their uniforms since the Korean War.

Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund: $30 million

Established in 1963 at the urging of President Kennedy, the Land and Water Conservation Fund provides grants to states and local governments to acquire new land and make improvements in their own parks. State and local government should be responsible for maintaining their own parks.

International Fund for Ireland: $14 million

Regardless of the worthiness of that goal, we should not be using U.S. taxpayer dollars to a help solve the internal problems of a wealthy country such as Ireland. Ireland should be responsible for solving its own problems.

No response yet from the spokesman for the land of leprechauns and their tasty, tasty choice of breakfast. (pictured above)