Walter Russell Mead points to a report that House Republicans are proposing cutting even more money from food stamps, but are fine with increasing agriculture subsidies. He comments:

The House Republican majority certainly looks like it’s trying to destroy itself. The combination of raising agricultural subsidies by billions of dollars and cutting food stamps is one of the most stupid, self-destructive moves an American political party could make.

A party with principles might cut food stamps and farm supports. A party with no principles but good political instincts might spend more on food stamps and farm subsidies. But to cut food stamps while subsidizing big agriculture manages to make Republicans look hard-hearted and spineless at the same time.

Hey, food stamps recipients don’t vote Republican or make political contributions to Republican candidates, so who cares, right?