At the time of this writing, the ill-tempered ultraconservative Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, is probably lounging around at Rockledge Farm, the home of his host Randy Brock and site of tonight’s fundraiser for the Brock campaign.

LePage has uttered more than his share — hell, more than the average country’s share — of rude remarks about reporters, protesters, and the President. Among others. Most recently, he called the IRS “the new Gestapo” for its role in enforcing Obamacare’s insurance mandate. ‘Cause, you know, imposing a few-hundred-dollar fine is just the same as shoving Jews into a gas chamber.

But his outrage ends abruptly at the border of practicality, as was reported by Josh Barro of Bloomberg News:

Yet the most remarkable aspect of LePage’s remarks wasn’t the Nazi comparison. It was what he didn’t say: Instead of joining Republican governors of six other states in announcing he will refuse to participate in the expansion of Medicaid, he wants to wait and see how the numbers add up.

According to Barro, Maine already provides Medicaid coverage to many of those who will be newly eligible under Obamacare’s expansion of the program. And that means the state is likely to save a boatload of money — somewhere between $65 million and $118 million over six years — because it will get more generous federal grants in the new Medicaid. Thus, as Barro notes:

LePage undoubtedly understands he’s going to have no choice politically but to take the Medicaid expansion funds.

Barro’s story goes on to say that Republican governors who are now talking tough, like Rick Perry and Nikki Haley, are likely to shut up and take the money as well.

But let’s stick with Governor Loudmouth for the moment. Speak loudly, and carry a small twig, eh, Paul? Bluster about principle and freedom and the Constitution, but when push comes to shove, you’re happy to get in bed with “the new Gestapo” if it means a few federal dollars.