Cheese Factories on the Moon

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Cheese Factories on the Moon: A Simple Overview

Cheese Factories on the Moon: Why Earmarks are Good for American Democracy is a book by American political scientists Scott A. Frisch and Sean Q. Kelly. The title comes from a joke by former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, who suggested that if the government started a moon cheese factory, a Texas contractor should build it and the milk should come from Texas cows. The book uses this idea to talk about earmarks—specific, targeted spending approved by members of Congress.

Originally published in 2011, the book focuses on congressional earmarks and explores how this funding process works in American politics and what it means for democracy. It presents its arguments in a clear, accessible way, sometimes using humor to illustrate how political spending shapes policy.

See also: The Moon is Made of Green Cheese.