Given the reluctance of any Congress to own up to pork spending, I'm really starting to become a believer of one of Steven Landsburg's ideas from "More Sex is Safer Sex". Specifically, the chapter that suggests the federal taxation rate of congressional district should be tied to the spending initiated or approved by the district representative. Higher taxes for the people who elected the rep who voted for it. The reps - and their constituents - would get the message real quick that there is an incentive not to play fast and loose with the Big Bucket of Cash.
Landsburg's point, among others, is that voters need to be better informed about how federal revenues are spent with regard to taxes. A fantastic idea when coupled with increased accountability from our elected representatives.