Final answer:
Earmarks are useful in Congress for facilitating compromise and supporting legitimate district projects by directing funds to specific needs within a representative's district, although they are not a measure to prevent scandals nor reduce governmental spending.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earmarks may be a useful thing for Congress for several reasons. They sometimes facilitate compromising among members of Congress as they negotiate support for various pieces of legislation. Through these negotiations, earmarks can assure that legislators can dedicate funds to specific, and often necessary district projects. Furthermore, while earmarks are associated with additional government spending, rather than reducing it, they can ensure that money is allocated to areas where it is most needed within a congressperson's district. The primary use of earmarks is not to prevent scandals but to enable politicians to directly serve their constituencies through targeted funding. Finally, despite the notion that they foster corruption, some argue that earmarks are an essential part of legislating, as they allow for direct representation and support of local interests.