Boehner's Prescriptions: No Earmarks

John Boehner, the man expected to assume the role of Speaker of the House in January, listed his prescriptions for the new majority in Wall Street Journal op-ed this morning. They are:

• No earmarks ...
  
• Let Americans read bills before they are brought to a vote ...
  
• No more "comprehensive" bills ...
  
• No more bills written behind closed doors in the speaker's office ...

Earmarks are a popular place to start. Fiscal conservatives hate them, and they've come to encapsulate the concept of federal largesse. During his post-election press conference, President Obama mentioned that he'd probably be willing to end them, so, despite the protestations of Democrats, old-school Republicans from poor districts, and most of all Alaska's Don Young, Boehner & co. should be able to do away with them in one (relatively) swift stroke.

As we saw during the Democrats' time in office, the other components become difficult when things get tough, bills get complex, and vote margins get slim.