I cannot help but snicker whenever I read about Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s rants at an alleged federal takeover of Texas matters.

He now is saying he’ll oppose Medicaid expansion as part of the Affordable Care Act because he doesn’t want Texas to be held hostage by Washington, D.C.

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/medicaid/291257-perry-doubles-down-against-medicaid-expansion

Oh really, governor?

Maybe he should explain how he and the 2009 and 2011 legislatures – when faced with declining state revenue caused by the recession – had their hands out when the feds handed them stimulus money to help jumpstart the state economy. Perry and his allies in the Legislature haven’t yet acknowledged fully that the stimulus funds played a big part in helping the state balance its budget – which the Texas Constitution requires of them.

We heard little talk then about federal government “hostage taking” when money flowed in for infrastructure improvements. It was that same stimulus dough that helped Amarillo City Hall, for example, pay for the Third and Grand overpass that has helped relieve traffic congestion.

Now the governor is on a tirade against the Medicaid expansion, which the Affordable Care Act allows for the states to use to help pay the medical bills of the poor. Perry and other governors – namely Republicans – want no part of it.

It’s that “socialized medicine” thing that gives them heartburn. Maybe they’ll want to get rid of Medicare, too. Let’s see how far that one flies.