An editorial in Saturday's Appeal-Democrat (Marysville-Yuba City, California) tells it like it is:

We're delighted that congressional pork-barrel privileges are facing possible revocation, or at least more restrictions, in the wake of scandals involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff and some California congressmen…

But a change of attitude in average Americans also is needed if the promised fiscal reforms are to take hold. Yes, readers, we're pointing the finger at you, and at every American who embraces the notion that a member of Congress' primary function is “bringing home the bacon.”

Inside the Beltway, most earmarking is done behind closed doors…But back home it's a different story. There, congressional press secretaries crank out a blizzard of releases in which senators and representatives boast of their success in bringing this or that grant or spending project back home, hoping to bask in the public's gratitude. There's no way for the folks back home to know whether the spending went through the front or back door. But most don't really care, as long as they are getting “their fair share.”

These Americans shake their heads in disgust when outrageously parochial projects in Alaska or West Virginia make the news, while cheering similar projects close to home.

Well put.

As we here at AFP continue to push the envelope on earmark reform inside the Beltway, it’s imperative that the rest of you keep on your Rep’s back at home.  This means writing and calling their local offices, demanding they scrap the new Rock and Roll Museums and Rain Forests.  Otherwise, any changes we institute on our end in DC will translate into bunkum back home.