This is a pointless discussion. Even if it is Big Government (debatable), thinking that you're going to "gotcha" Republicans on their hypocrisy will have about

This is a pointless discussion. Even if it is Big Government (debatable), thinking that you're going to "gotcha" Republicans on their hypocrisy will have about as much effect as Republicans saying "See, Democrats are the REAL racists" in response to some policy that ostensibly harms Black people. This is a policy move designed to destroy a politically vulnerable patronage network on the other side. If the voters think this is bad policy they should vote in new politicians.