Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson embodies the ineffectiveness of the Republicans Party in promoting limited government.  He represents one of the most conservative states, yet he uses his position as one of the 12 appropriations “Cardinals” to block any effort to cut spending. Simpson is an ardent supporter of earmarks. He is also a big supporter of government-run healthcare, and refuses to cut even small programs like the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment of the Humanities. He is a big purveyor of farm welfare, thereby entrapping residents of his red state into government dependency.

Simpson voted for every bailout under the sun. Simpson was one of only 16 Republicans to vote for the Simpson-Bowles tax increases.   And of course, he voted for the “fiscal cliff” tax hikes/stimulus bill.  He is also one of the few solid red state Republicans who is squishy on gun issues.

Now he is upset that there is a new kid on the block –  a member who actually stands for Republican values.  Raul Labrador, who represents Idaho’s first district, is a committed conservative, who in the view of Simpson, is irresponsible and losing credibility.  He decided to unload on his fellow Idahoan in an interview with the Idaho Statesman.

Maybe Mr. Simpson would like to explain how it is effective representation of a Republican district to vote for every last bailout, spending bill, and debt ceiling increase that has engendered this $16.4 trillion anti-free-market dependency state.

Maybe Mr. Simpson should listen carefully when the Constitution is read from the House floor this week so he can understand the proper role of the federal government.

Or maybe he’d like to retire and become a lobbyist, so we can have two Raul Labradors from Idaho.

If we continue to elect statists like this from places like Idaho, we’ll never succeed in reducing the size of government.

Cross-posted from The Madison Project