Governance, U.S. style

Today's NY Times tells us what governance in the U.S. is all about:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 — By slipping four sentences into a big bill passed last week, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert secured a major change in Medicare policy avidly sought by a few health insurers, in particular a multinational company with headquarters in his home state, Illinois.

In the final hours of the 109th Congress, the Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, also got special treatment for a hospice in his state. The bill did not name the hospice, but specified the Medicare provider number for the intended beneficiary, the Nathan Adelson Hospice in rural Pahrump, Nev.

Representative Bill Thomas, Republican of California, inserted a provision earmarking $40 million for a valley fever vaccine sought by his constituents, while the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee, obtained tens of millions of dollars for hospitals in his state.

Why don't they just name themselves as recipients of the goodies?