WHO: U.S. Department of EducationWHAT: Lawmakers have secured nearly $2.3 billion in earmarks from the federal Department of Education. Such earmarks include $25,000 to a Las Vegas school district for a mariachi music program, $191,593 to Central Washington University for developing curriculum including studying local wines, $273,000 to lawmakers in Blue Springs, Mo., for the purpose of fighting Goth culture, $450,000 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, $200,000 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and $400,000 to the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

WHY IT’S AN OUTRAGE: In the words of Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma: “We’re in tough times and we’re still doing this kind of stupid stuff. Everybody’s thinking we have to raise taxes, the first thing we need to do is cut back waste.”