Here’s what Martinez is boasting about in his latest newsletter:

Thursday, Senator Martinez joined a bipartisan group of senators in announcing the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act. The consensus bill was introduced on the Senate floor on Monday, and debate is currently underway. “This bipartisan and comprehensive reform package addresses our nation’s security, our economy, and reforms our country’s immigration policy so that we don’t have the severe illegal immigration problem that we do today.”

“So that we don’t have the severe illegal immigration problem that we do today?” Nice justification Mel. Are you gonna make all our problems go away? Are you gonna make our hurts all better? Are you gonna make the world a better place? Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Do you think that I’m a fifth grader?

Are you trying to be clever? I noticed that you don’t promise to eliminate severe immigration problems; you just promise that the next one won’t be the same as the one we have today.

Thursday, Senator Martinez opposed the largest tax increase in American history by voting against the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The measure will increase taxes by a minimum of $736 billion dollars over the next five years. The resolution passed in the Senate by a vote of 52 to 40. “It is unfortunate that an unreasonable budget resolution passed today, taking more money out of the pockets of the American people,” said Martinez.

Way to go, Mel! I’m glad to know that you occasionally flinch from raiding the pockets of the taxpayers. But how are you going to finance all the pork you brag about bringing to Florida if you’re shy about thrusting your hands into our pockets? Read on.

Last Wednesday, Senator Martinez voted in favor of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA). The measure authorizes Everglades restoration, projects for the Picayune Strand and Indian River Lagoon, a study for the Lake Okeechobee Herbert Hoover Dike, and authorizes numerous Army Corps of Engineers projects vital to Florida. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 91 to 4.

Mel, you need to understand that most of us who receive your newsletter know that the politics of pork require that each project you bring to Florida has to be mirrored in 49 other states. Senators that don’t receive pork aren’t going to vote for your pork. We can do the math: When you bring a million dollar project to Florida we know it actually costs 50 million dollars. Read on.

Wednesday, Senator Martinez announced that the Department of Education has awarded more than $5 million in Upward Bound Program Grants to 17 Florida colleges and universities. Upward Bound programs assist participants in completing secondary and post-secondary education.

The actual cost to the taxpayers is more than 250 million dollars. Yes Mel, we understand.

Isn’t secondary education high-school? Then why is the money going to colleges and universities? Are they having to send their students back to high school?