GOP blogger Jon Fleischman took to Facebook recently to rail against the passage of the latest Farm Bill. And before uttering his opposition to this bill, Fleischman should probably look at his own blogroll for those who directly benefit from this bill.
He wrote:
“I have walked precincts, made phone calls, and devoted over a quarter-century of my life to stop THIS. I am sick over it, and feel like my efforts have been in vain. To what purpose a Republican majority in Congress, if not to stop THIS.”
Posted with a link to the recent Farm Bill that passed the GOP majority House of Representatives and signed into law by President Obama.
We chuckle at the implied naivete of his remarks. Our initial response was, “Jon, where have you been the last 25 years?” Agricultural subsidies have been around for a lot longer than the previous 25 years. Practically every year a similar measure gets passed by congress regardless of which party controls the majority. More importantly the real side splitting astonishment is what he is not saying. After all the acrimony of the president’s healthcare law being called (pick one):
a. Socialism
b. Communism
c. Facism
d. All of the above.
Where are the similar attacks against those who supported this blatant “socialist” program that can best be labeled corporate welfare?
Let’s take a look at some of those who directly benefit from the Ag subsidies included in this legislative action. In a recent article on Politico titled: Republicans who got farm subsidies targeted there is mention of several GOP representatives who get to vote themselves subsidies from the US Treasury’s coffers. The article makes the claim that 14 GOP representatives are included in this group. One of those mentioned is California’s congressional representative from the First Congressional District, Doug La Malfa (R-Richvale). La Malfa is still listed as a blogger on Fleischman’s “Flash Report,” even though it’s been a while since he posted.
According to Politico, La Malfa received $1.7 million in farm subsidies and “resides in a county in which 11 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits.” Benefits he opposes on his ideological grounds of anti-socialism and desire for smaller government.
La Malfa’s office responded, ““The congressman has long advocated for modernizing federal farm programs. He voted for eliminating the subsidies that are in question…..” There is nothing stopping the Honorable Mr. La Malfa from sending the money back or to not even cash the check.
But here is the connection that makes Jon’s remarks disingenuous at best. On another Facebook post, Jon was detailing his trip to DC and highlighting the “good” conservatives in congress fighting the good fight. Guess who was pictured next to Jon in one of his numerous posts? You guessed it. Doug La Malfa.
He is constantly critical of the retired public employee earning an average pension of $25,000 a year yet he says nothing about the so called “conservative” who is his “good friend” making millions from the taxpayer. It is for this reason why many liberals scoff at folks like Jon when they are criticizing the “socialist” policies they so deride.
So Jonny is bummed that a conservative House of Representatives would pass this type of legislation after he’s worked for 25 years to stop this type of activity. I’m betting folks like La Malfa were more than happy to pat little Jonny on the head and tell him how happy they were to have him work so hard on their behalf. La Malfa being in the majority party and serving on the Ag Committee he is overjoyed to have someone like Jonny Flash working on his behalf, while he (La Malfa) votes himself enrichments from the public treasury.
The term “useful idiot” is an understatement to describe this.
Frankly, I will not support any member of Congress who voted for this legislation. The biggest recipient was not the small family farmer, but rather large Corporate Producers who milk the system for every dime they can get. Add in other special interest groups and the pork attached to this bill could sink an aircraft carrier. Lastly, let’s not forget the entitlement junkies waiting for more goodies from Uncle Obama. While Congress touts their slight reduction in the amount of Food Stamps, it still remains at an all time high. While there are people in America who need assistance with food, continuing generations of welfare families should not be on the list. Bottom line is, the Republicans caved to Democrats once again and the taxpayers are left paying the tab. Folks, it is time to vote in November and unelect the big spenders from both political parties. Once and for all let’s send a strong message to Congress, “do your job or get the hell out of Dodge.”
Pat, Congress spends twice as much on corporate welfare is it does on social welfare; that dates back to the Reagan administration.
Pat,
I think you miss point. I agree with you on the big spender part.
What I take away is that conservative activists like Jon helped these people get elected. When he leads the charge and campaigns for an opponent in those districts I’ll believe he is serious.
Until then he is just a “useful idiot” to the La Malfa’s and others in the GOP world.
Just to put a post script on this item. I’m sure La Malfa needs those subsidies. His net worth is a paltry $3,500,000 according to Ballotpedia.
I bet he had to put recaps on the Caddy last year.
Looks like the Senate GOP wasn’t much help to Jon either.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/13/us/politics/senate-debt-ceiling-increase.html?emc=edit_na_20140212&_r=0
Take it a step further Pat; where is Jon on condemning publicly his friend’s receipt of this corporate welfare? Shouldn’t Jon be exposing these Republican hypocrites?
And for that matter, where’s the rest of your party on this? Not a peep.