Well, do consider that those tiny amounts add up - one pork barrell project might only cost a million dollars, but get enough of them and it can cost billions.
But (from a Govt. point of view) that's still not much money 
What I find very funny actually, is people who favour big increases in spending in some areas (defense, education, etc, etc, etc) getting enraged and hysterical about this sort of thing 
Well, I oppose more money into education or defense, I'm strongly in support of
smarter spending for these things, fyi.
I also agree with Dibble, these things add up. Even if it doesn't add up to too much, (from the Governments POV,) it still is a waste of money.
