It's probably much better than the alternatives. Sure such deals stink of corruption, but they generally don't actually involve much money and sometimes manage to bring nice things to the people. Technocracy is a myth, Grand Bargains are neither grand nor bargains, and lacking a parliamentary system we can't have majority rule. Just "bribe" members of Congress with stuff they want, some of which is probably actually ok, and get the votes.
Filibuster+extreme partisanship from Republicans+no earmarks=nothing good. The alternative isn't pretty, but it's prettier than what we have.
