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