Undoubtedly, as we pursue a limited government agenda, we face an arduous task in reducing personal dependency on government. Democrats have successfully created a scheme where almost half the population pays no income taxes, while 40% receive something from the government. Their relentless demagoguery makes it difficult to wean people off welfare and entitlement programs. However, there is a lower hanging fruit in the statist garden that we can attack with a higher degree of success; crony capitalism and corporate welfare.
Headed into this election, we have a golden opportunity to draw a sharp contrast with Obama on the issue of government involvement on behalf of corporations, otherwise known as crony capitalism. While we have a long way to go in educating people about the vices of personal entitlement programs, we have already won the political battle against corporate entitlements. So why won’t Republicans pocket the victory and oppose all corporate welfare?
Unfortunately, a number of House Republicans sent a letter to Boehner and Cantor asking them to precede with reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank – the poster child for corporate welfare, fraud, and corruption. This, from CQ:
On Thursday, 30 Republicans wrote to Cantor and House Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, urging them to “give serious consideration to a multi-year authorization over one for a shorter period of time.” The lawmakers said a multi-year deal would provide more certainty to businesses, and allow them to enter into longer-term contracts.
Among those signing the letter were tea party-backed members Cynthia M. Lummis of Wyoming, Vicky Hartzler of Missouri, Bobby Schilling of Illinois and Nan Hayworth of New York.
Tea Party members? I don’t think so. The Tea Party was born out of opposition to this sort of corporate welfare. And arguing that we need to mimic the policies of socialist countries in order to remain competitive is not a Tea Party message.
Congress is in recess this week and will reconvene Monday, May 7. That will leave just 3 weeks until the May 31 expiration date of the Ex-Im Bank. With so many Republicans supporting it in both houses, we clearly have our work cut out for us this May.
Below the fold is a list of members who signed the letter. Of course, there is no mention of Boeing in their letter, even though it is the primary recipient of the below-market loans. As you will notice, most of them hail from solid Republican districts:
John Campbell
Blaine Luetkemeyer
James Renacci
Mac Thornberry
Adam Kinzinger
Billy Long
Greg Harper
Randy Hultgren
Tom Latham
Jon Carter
Bobby Schilling
Tom Cole
Bill Johnson
Don Manzullo
Michael Grimms
Steve Stivers
Nan Hayworth
David Rivera
Rick Crawford
Cynthia Lummis
Larry Bucshon
Vicky Hartzler
Rick Berg **running for Senate
Richard Nugent
Aron Schock
Chris Gibson
Robert Wittman
Bob Gibbs
Joe Wilson
Jeff Fortenberry
Cross-posted from The Madison Project
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