Last updated on 2012.12.10
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin caught heck from some of us flaming liberals for her right-tacking Blue Doggery. But is Rep. Kristi Noem now imperiling her base's love by turning into a "Red Dog" Republican?
Rep. Noem had a chance Thursday to stand with Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona on three amendments fighting the deficit, cutting welfare handouts, and limiting government interference in the free market. Sounds like good Tea Party stuff, right?
But on Flake's amendment to cut funding for ethanol blender pumps, Noem voted nay. It still passed 283–128. To preserve some government money for ethanol, Noem is following the lead of Senators Thune and Klobuchar and carrying their compromise ethanol-subsidy cuts to the House side.
On Flake's amendment to lower the income limits for individuals receiving farm subsidies from $750,000 to $250,000 a year, Noem voted nay. This amendment failed 186–228. That's the second time Noem has voted to protect subsidies for really rich farmers. (Oops! Third: Rep. Blumenauer took another swing at capping farm subsidy payments yesterday, and Noem once again voted against that cost-saving effort.)
On Flake's amendment to defund the Market Access Program, which hands our tax dollars to Big Ag groups for "advertising, consumer promotions, market research, technical assistance and travel," Noem voted nay. This amendment failed 101–314.
Noem did vote with Flake to defund the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food"Initiative. She and Flake also got back together for the final vote on the full ag appropriations bill. They were two of 19 Republicans who voted nay, leaving just 217 Republicans to vote aye and pass this part of the budget.
Noem apparently missed the memo from her Tea Party friends that the final bill included language that blocks implementation of the big food safety legislation passed last year. The Tea Party hates that bill, thinking it's more tyranny, denying Americans their God-given right to stick whatever they want in their mouths (oh no: I'm thinking of a conversation Anthony Weiner had online). The new ag funding bill kills those regulations and embraces the anarcho-capitalist Tea Party faith that "the private sector self-polices," that the free market won't ever let anyone sell contaminated food.
And Kristi voted no. Kristi voted to preserve the farm-state pork on which her family has thrived. Kristi voted to protect food safety regulations that her base reviles.
This isn't a liberal critique. This is a flaming right-wing Woodring — Sibby — Ellis critique. Wouldn't much of what I've said above sound right at home in many corners of the conservative South Dakota blogosphere?
Tack on her pro-wind-power vote this week, and you've got to wonder: is Kristi Noem trying to create some new "Red Dog Republican" category for moderates in her party? And if so, how long will her Tea Party boosters wait to throw her overboard?
Bonus Budget Bamboozle: While the Republicans cut discretionary spending in this bill by $2.7 billion compared to last year, they increased non-discretionary spending by $3 billion. That's a pretty dull budget axe....
Noem will do whatever she thinks she needs to to get elected. It's about posturing not about doing what her constituents want her to do.
The Tea Party would be best served to call her out on this stuff rather than let her slide. She doesn't respect them and she never will until she thinks she needs them again.
[CAH: "call her out"—good grief, I'm carrying water for my ever-lovin' Dems and the Tea Party!]
Noem was never a winger but she likes to lead people on and the Tea Party thought she was less mainstream than Nelson or Curd even though she is way more ambitious and only loyal to whomever can get her the most money or appointed to higher positions.
Fooey. Danged if ya do and danged if ya don't.
I know the feeling, Stan! So does Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.
You do it all Cory! I'm surprised Nesselhuf didn't organize a medicare rally... He has to get people out.
Methinks we shan't criticize Noem the Red Dog too much lest we find ourselves two years hence with Lady Sarah as Queen of the realm, for thence we wilt surely wish for and regard well the Noem the Red's enlightened opposition to change.
Perish both/all thoughts thus.
I guess what I mean is may the good lord help us.
We may seek the Lord's help, Curtis... but I'll keep passing the verbal ammunition.
Patience, Mike: Ben's busting his chops on this petition drive. We've still got plenty of time to hammer Noem on Medicare and every other bad vote she's cast.
I appreciate that, Cory.
I was just attempting to voice my sarcastic views about the political stupidity of too many Americans and South Dakotans. Not enough citizens bother, have the time, are educated well enough to understand or care to educate themselves about the many competing political interests that culminate in an election of a representative. When right-wing movements come along with media blitzes of disinformation, a majority of voter's minds are too easily persuaded.
Noem does not represent me in any way. Herseth failed me when she voted against single-payer health care (universal) as a political maneuver. She did not come out strongly against unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She voted to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest. Blue Dog Democrats sold out to political interests in their home states. What did we get? We still got morons like Noem.
Obviously BIG AGRICULTURE 'programs' are the electric third rail in farm state politics. I understand we all want, supposedly, cheap food and a strong rural economy. But is continuing to subsidize wealthy farmers the best for all of us, when we ALL need affordable healthcare? I know a few, and I don't think they give a damn about people who can't afford good health insurance.
Noem will do and say in her own dumb-minded way whatever she has to for re-election, and just enough people will be persuaded to buy her right-wing b.s. She will continue to shout how independent and conservative we are here in South Dakota, how government should keep out of everything, all the while promoting whatever right-wing political agenda gets the most bang for the buck for her and her supporters.
Then she will go right on representing the interests of the richest.
Related: http://www.hcn.org/blogs/goat/subsidized-crop-insurance-the-next-ag-boondoggle
I just read from a press release from Noem that she wants to re-introduce horse slaughter in the U.S. Are you KIDDING me?
Noem's a rich farmer/business woman (probably because of grand-daddy's hard work, etc). What would you expect? Animals are for eating/working (in bygone agricultural days). Big farmers are nothing but rich capitalists using the system to get richer. I know a few. They are crooked.