Conservatives theoretically are right to lament that Democrats plan to renew the practice of “earmarking” specific, local projects in spending bills. In practice, though, the end of the “ban” on earmarks won’t make much difference. For that, conservatives have themselves to blame.

For years, conservatives pushed for an earmark ban, arguing that allowing congressmen to direct funds to specific pork projects encouraged extra spending and created incentives for graft. The latter argument remains legitimate, although corrupt politicians don’t need earmarks if they want to engage in grift and graft. The former argument, though, the one about saving money, proved mistaken.