Besides contributing to corruption such as conflict of interests and kickbacks, it means that less money is available for what is more urgently needed, such as education, fighting poverty and violence, etc; and it exacerbates the ballooning of national debt.
The effect of pork barrel scam to most political geographies is that development is stagnant. This has also affected the economy since businesses have lost confidence in the government.
Politicians might use pork barrel spending to win support from their constituents.
Unfair
Politicians only approved the pork barrel spending to gain political support. They didn't approve it because they are for it, they did it so they can win.
To win political support
It helps politicians win support from their constituents
It helps politicians win support from their constituents
So they can get money for something in their district.
Pork barrel spending is spending money on projects in the constituency of a Congressman by the Government in the hope of gaining or keeping his support. Pork barrel spending is very often not about the question whether this spending (or keeping on spending) is really necessary or efficient; or if the Congressman's State or District is really the best place for it. It of course does directly benefit the constituency of the Congressman involved. Is it 'fair'? It has been part of American politics from almost the start of the USA, and countless regions over the decades have profited from it. But from a totally unbiased point of view it isn't, since a pork-barrel decision is only partly based - and sometimes hardly at all - on what is best or most cost-efficient for the country at large.
pork tends to be concentrated in the states and districts of high-ranking congressmen and senators while The lower ranking the member, the less likely they are to get pork.
Politicians might use pork barrel spending to win support from their constituents.
This kind of spending concentrates on giving money to those in charge. The lower members and the citizens are the ones who suffer and do not receive any money.