ABSTRACT
The term "corporate welfare" may well have been coined by civic advocate Ralph Nader in the 1950s. Throughout his long career, Nader has shined the light of publicity on many instances of corporate welfare, both egregious and subtle. In doing so he has earned the gratitude of the American people and the scorn of the recipients of these alms from the state. Criticizing corporate welfare is not akin to criticizing business per se. This should be glaringly obvious, though shills for the welfare takers like to muddy the waters by claiming that those who condemn business subsidies are actually condemning business, or-in that most venerable smear-standing in the way of progress. Department of Commerce, its magnificent mansion near the Treasury Department, and its army of hustlers scouting for business at the uttermost ends of the earth. Americans were outraged by corporate welfare before there was even a name for it.
