The hypocrisy of Montana’s legislative Republicans, especially our area legislative members of the Montana “Freedom Caucus,” know no bounds. They are Senator Steve Hinebauch of Wibeaux, Representatives Bob Phalen of Lindsay, and Jerry Schillinger of Circle. They promote freedom by freely telling Montanans, especially women, what medical procedures are permitted. They also want to tell us what books are allowed to be read.
These members of the “freedom caucus” claim to be made of conservative steel. While claiming to protect Montanans’ freedom, believing in small government, they are especially in the fight to control out-of-control federal spending. Of course they do not practice what they preach in fighting federal spending if it involves them. Representative Phalen, while claiming that Covid relief is “fiscally irresponsible,” took $51,662 in federal PPP loans that he did not repay. Of course as a farmer, from 1995 to 2020, he took $1,047,121 in federal subsidy money. During the same period, 1995 to 2020, Senator Hinebauch took $1.43 million and Representative Schillinger took $1.51 million in federal money.
It is not my intention to criticize all farm subsidy programs as they bring needed dollars into this state. However, farm subsidy payments to giant out-of-state corporations do little for Montana’s economy. Further, I am tired of Republican legislators harping about personal responsibility and welfare, including other social-net programs, while they elbow their way to the federal trough.