South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (R) is breaking a major pledge as he quietly reaps $97.5 million in federal stimulus funds to extend unemployment benefits to countless individuals in the Palmetto State.
Just over a year ago, Sanford warned that the $700 billion aid package "ain't that far from a thing called slavery."
Prior to making the criticism, the South Carolina Governor called supporters of the stimulus measure "the real fringe."
"I think in this instance I would humbly suggest that the real fringe are those that are supporting the stimulus," explained Sanford shortly after the funding program was approved. "It is not at all in keeping with the principles that made this country great, not at all in keeping with economic reality, not in keeping with a stable dollar, and not in keeping with the sentiments of most of this country."
The outgoing South Carolina Governor even took his fight against the stimulus to court by filing a lawsuit "to stop stimulus spending" based on the justification that "legislature has overstepped authority under federal law."
Now, Sanford is poised to accept millions of federal dollars -- which will not have to be paid back -- to provide financial assistance to part-time workers in South Carolina and individuals who left their jobs to care for a sick family member.
On Tuesday, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis signaled that the funds would be deposited into the state's financially troubled unemployment trust fund this week.
South Carolina lawmakers have found themselves struggling to combat sky-high joblessness in the state in recent months.