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The Koch Machine

THE NEW GOP STATUS QUO? This website has taken a dim view of billionaire industrialists Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch – a.k.a. the Koch brothers. Frankly, we’re not convinced they are anything other than crony capitalists investing a portion of their empire on electing a new breed of…

THE NEW GOP STATUS QUO?

This website has taken a dim view of billionaire industrialists Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch – a.k.a. the Koch brothers. Frankly, we’re not convinced they are anything other than crony capitalists investing a portion of their empire on electing a new breed of establishment “Republican” politicians.

For example S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is a darling of the Kochs –  dating back to the infamous “Savannah River Sellout.”

Two years ago, Haley effectively killed a private sector port proposal in Jasper County, S.C. (and weakened the competitive position of the government-run Port of Charleston) by ordering her environmental appointees to approve key permits for a government-run port expansion in Savannah, Georgia.

This was a boon to the Koch brothers – who have extensive business interests with the Port of Savannah.

So when the Koch brothers’ political organization – Americans for Prosperity – starts ramping up its political operation in South Carolina in the name of electing “conservatives,” forgive  us for being skeptical.

In addition to its unrequited love for Haley – who is growing government-subsidized medicine in the Palmetto State at a blisteringly unsustainable clip – let’s not forget the Koch political empire endorsed the unilateral surrender to Obamacare last October.

All while grandstanding against the evils of socialized medicine …

Anyway … they may not stand for anything (beyond their own interests) but one thing is clear: The Kochs aren’t going anywhere. In fact according to Politico things are about to step up in “Koch World,” as the brothers “are convening some of the country’s richest Republican donors on Sunday at a resort near Palm Springs, Calif., to raise millions of dollars for efforts to shape the political landscape for years to come.”

The Kochs have already poured hundreds of millions of dollars into political activity, but this year those resources are being retargeted.

“This year, the Kochs’ close allies are rolling out a new, more integrated approach to politics,” reporter Kenneth P. Vogel writes. “That includes wading into Republican primaries for the first time to ensure their ideal candidates end up on the ticket, and also centralizing control of their network to limit headache-inducing freelancing by affiliated operatives.”

Ah yes … those “headache-inducing freelancers.”

In fact we’re told Koch operatives have been assigned to “keep tabs” on various individuals and entities active on ideological “right” of the political spectrum – sort of a private sector “Tea Party snooping” effort.

Nice … and you thought the federal government had the market cornered on that sort of thing?

At this point, we still think there’s an opportunity for the Kochs to demonstrate fidelity to their stated objective of “fostering free enterprise” in America.  But that will require the organization lending their support to candidates and other entities who are actually advancing pro-free market policies – not a new breed of big government “Republicans” like Nikki Haley.

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31 comments

Stato January 24, 2014 at 9:22 am

“At this point, we still think there’s an opportunity for the Kochs to demonstrate fidelity to their stated objective of “fostering free enterprise” in America.”

They are definite crony capitalists, but you almost have to be to some extent to survive in the market place(that hasn’t been “free” for a long, long time…and then it’s still debatable if it ever was) when your competitors are saddled up at the bar drinking in tax payers dollars whether you do the same or not.

That’s why fascism is such a bitch to overcome, the corporate crony’s and government feed each other fat at the expense of the Sixpack Joe.

Just take a look at the revolving door between the Treasury department and Goldman Sachs or the SEC.

I applaud you for the honest write up, you are doing the best you can given the situation and if you can get a check now and then from one of the Koch tentacles when you agree with their stance there’s nothing wrong with it(though I think you should disclose it for credibility reasons).

The Koch’s are confused, just like Reason, Cato(now), and the rest. They are Goldilocks libertarians:

Always searching for “just the right amount of government control” instead of staying logically consistent.

In the end the message of the evils of government gets diluted because no one understands where to draw the line when the line moves all the time.

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The Coke Machine January 24, 2014 at 10:21 am

The headline would make for a good T-shirt when I’m strolling the Grand Strand looking for love.

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shifty henry January 24, 2014 at 12:00 pm

HaH..! $20 for the blonde….

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Crooner January 24, 2014 at 10:22 am

Are you that stupid?
The political activity of the Kochs is nothing more than an investment they expect to make a return on. Their ideology is based upon protecting the future profit potential of their business interests. Which in the case of Koch Industries is primarily fossil fuel energy.
The problem inherent in your “free market solves everything” mantra is that the free market doesn’t give a shit about anything but the bottom line profit. Witness the data showing that while corporate profits have increased since the recession of 2008 income to workes has stagnated or dropped. This is not to say that corporations should not be allowed to make profits: they should. This is to say that you can’t count on them to look out for the American worker.

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Manray January 24, 2014 at 11:28 am

You are exactly correct, but you allow the facts to interfere with the screed. Rapacious free-market capitalism is just that — rapacious. Here in the land of “values,” the only thing that counts is money.

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MashPotato January 24, 2014 at 11:32 am

Did you know that workers benefit from a free market too? They would have more employers to choose from, better ability to negotiate their own wages, and still have the right to unionize.

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Say's Law January 24, 2014 at 1:14 pm

“Did you know that workers benefit from a free market too?”

Most people have forgotten…

Remember when labor markets were so tight(not that long ago) that McDonalds kept having to up their starting pay?

Even the low skilled workers benefit under a profitable economy/businesses because they are needed so badly. (think full employment)

There is very little faith and for most of the Left outright mockery of “free markets”, most of which stem from the fact we haven’t really had them for a long, long time.

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vicupstate January 25, 2014 at 11:43 am

The low skilled workers you refer to are the ones in India, China, etc. not here.

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Say's Law January 26, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Sooo….you never drive through ghetto’s?

Buz Martin January 24, 2014 at 7:03 pm

The Kochs have nothing whatsoever to do with actual free market capitalism. That was the point of the post. Are YOU that stupid?

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Torch January 25, 2014 at 2:37 pm

Can’t remember where I saw it but CEO’s make 350 times what the workers do in the US.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/15/news/economy/ceo-pay-worker/index.html

But this is close to what I saw.

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Cush January 26, 2014 at 1:06 pm

Exactly! This is why I think stronger unions in the US would do some good in this country.

I think it’s our (the American worker’s) only way to fight back.

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 2:20 pm

The Obama Adm. and the democrat party are indicting writers using the governments resources, for saying things he doest not like…and this ignorant mother*;%#r is attacking private sector businessmen..and how they spend THEIR money….

That’s what the liberal-tarianss give you. Is that what you want?

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MashPotato January 24, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Yes!

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Well you got it in the worst president since Carter… And when you get laid off of your job, and your healthcare costs quadruple…I’ll LMAO when the Koch brothers have funded candidates, who rip that F*#king Welfare check from your sorry @$$…after the 99 weeks of unemployment run out..

If pieces of $#!* like you actually had to suffer like responsible, contributing Americans, and our children…you may spit that government D*@k out of your mouth and grow some accountability….

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Talcum In The Middle January 24, 2014 at 3:43 pm

Someone’s a little chapped today. Lol.

Just give the Kochs more votes for their friends you simple fool…you’ll get nothing…

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 4:28 pm

I like the results the Koch Brothers are getting…Hope you heard Scott Walker in Wisconsin is cutting taxes, he has a budget with a Billion-Dollar surplus, unemployment is declining…and he F*#ked the leftwing Thug unions up the @$$….

No wonder you effeminate little liberal hand-wringers are $#!**ing all over yourselves…

Compared to Obama, Conservative Republicans, who Slap the P!$$ out of you idiots, solve the crap you’ve made a disaster of…you should be scared…

Talcum In The Middle January 24, 2014 at 5:35 pm

They sure threw a lot of money away in Wisconsin against Tammy Baldwin…Lol!

ManOnSantorumSex January 24, 2014 at 5:03 pm

and don’t forget what a big “Christian” Tango is….hahahhah makes you hate Christians

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Buz Martin January 24, 2014 at 7:05 pm

Big T’s hate boner for Sic is RAGING today, y’all!

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 4:30 pm

I like the results the Koch Brothers are getting…Hope you heard Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin is cutting taxes, he has a budget with a Billion-Dollar surplus, unemployment is declining…and he F*#ked the leftwing Thug unions up the @$$….

No wonder you effeminate little liberal hand-wringers are $#!**ing all over yourselves…

Compared to Obama, Conservative Republicans, who Slap the P!$$ out of you idiots, solve the crap you’ve made a disaster of…you should be scared…

Thank you Koch Bros…a job well-done…

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And A Man Is Dead January 24, 2014 at 5:49 pm

Over 300 reported oil spills..great job!!

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 6:08 pm

You people lied about the BP oil spill. Obama said it was a disaster for years. Very shortly after, it’s completely clean, and Obama looks like a F*#king Dumb@$$…for lying about it….All you really did was bilk a productive business out of billions…through gov’t extortion…

So who is going to believe you, now???

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And A Man Is Dead January 24, 2014 at 6:28 pm

You have proven to be the biggest idiot that ever commented on a blog. Congrats, fool. If you could get your head out of Limbaugh’s tight ass and get some oxygen, you might be functional enough notice shit from shinola.

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GrandTango January 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm

I usually write you off as a Dumb@$$, if pretty much all you have is liberal talking Bull-$#*t…then you go into meltdown insult mode, after I slap the P!$$$ out of you w/ reality…

Pretty simple-minded, aren’t you???

Jeffrey Sewell January 24, 2014 at 4:40 pm

Got to love it when W admits and oh so obviously to not be on the payroll… :)

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ELCID January 24, 2014 at 5:12 pm

Why?? What could be wrong with supporting every thing the Koch Brothers want??
They are: the 3rd biggest Banking Derivative Sellers in America, control the US energy monopoly, and are crooked to the core. Sigh, they are just like Haley, but with a lot more money.

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DEHC January 25, 2014 at 4:27 pm

Re: the Banking derivatives.

That explains why the Koch Brothers give money to Haley and why Haley lets the Investment Commission rip-off of the retirees continue. I wonder how much money Her Masters the Koch Brothers have made off SC retirees????

It all comes down to the money, doesn’t it?

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Penny January 26, 2014 at 8:03 pm

How can we find out if Haley’s friends and donor’s the Koch Brothers are doing business with the Investment Commission?

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nitrat January 24, 2014 at 7:57 pm

The only thing that good Americans need to do is ‘foster’ democracy and majority rule. When did ‘free enterprise’ supersede that?
Oh… you hate the Kochs, but love their Cato crony Howard Rich?

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idcydm January 24, 2014 at 9:37 pm

“majority rule”, have you forgotten we live in a Representative Republic? If we didn’t there would be no Affordable Care Act.

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