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Forum Post: Koch Brothers: The Welfare Billionaires

Posted 12 years ago on Feb. 24, 2012, 4:56 a.m. EST by GirlFriday (17435)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

The Koch brothers’ money can be ascribed to many sources. Let‘s start with $300 million—as Charles and David Koch did when their father, who founded Koch Industries, died in 1967. Since then, the Koch brothers have been recipients of corporate welfare; grazing cattle and harvesting timber on public lands, using the government-created power of eminent domain to obtain routes for their thousands of miles of gas and oil pipelines, and even taking advantage of direct government subsidies to produce ethanol. http://faireconomy.org/selfmademyth/infographics/koch

108 Comments

108 Comments


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[-] 5 points by randart (498) 12 years ago

Why don't we begin a total exposure campaign on just how much the wealthy get in welfare? Let's expose the corporations, the Koch's, and any other forms of grand scale theft of this country's wealth.

The companies I suspect of being in fear of exposure are currently running PR campaigns. They do this to ease the public outcry if the truth gets out. One is General Electric which is touting how much they are a part of America, they help cure cancer, help provide electricity to make beer, and heck, they're just one of the guys. Chevron is another company that is running the PR mind f**k. They are looking to find solutions and working with the entire world to solve the problems. Both these companies are currently getting obscene amounts of welfare for no reason and probably doing something wrong.

[-] 3 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 12 years ago

My favorite has been the TV ads where some soothing voice says "High Fructose Corn Syrup comes from Corn...so don't worry about it!" with images of sunny corn fields.

I LOL everytime :D

[-] 2 points by randart (498) 12 years ago

Have you ever noticed that the same voice seems to be omnipresent? If they want people to be calm then it is this female voice gently urging you to do something, if they want you to fall into line then it becomes a male voice telling you, with authority, to do something or else.

They always seem to be the same voice no matter if it in the airport or the shopping mall. It makes me think of old science fiction movies where the aliens have taken control.

Maybe they have.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

That is just crazy.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

I agree.

[-] 3 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

So they were born into a fortune. They could easily convince themselves that they are different beings from the rest of us. Everybody in America should be required to live as an average citizen before they are given the responsibility of enormous wealth.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

sounds like you want a Mao style cultural revolution. You are more stupid than most OWSer's

[-] 1 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

I'm more interested in shining a light on what the Koch's want. Oligarchy is a form of tyranny and Americans won't tolerate it. Stooges like you can post your filthy lies all day but in the end people will see the truth.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

you are so naive and uneducated. blaming the koch's is simple minded.

[-] 2 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

Stupid, simple minded, naive...you'd think a supposedly smart guy like you could do better than fourth-grade name calling. You don't seem to appreciate me, well, I'm even less impressed with you.

[-] 1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

the words and name calling are appropriate in this case and like you say the people will see the truth (i.e. that liberalism is a mental disorder).

[-] 0 points by newman (-58) 12 years ago

You are correct!!!! "liberalism is a mental disorder"

[-] 1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

if only there was a cure! the disease shows up a lot in California where liberals went crazy when blacks and hispanics voted overwhelming for prop 8 (making same sex marriage illegal). They couldn't be angry with them because they weren't christian white males so they blew their circuits.

[-] 0 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

Spoken like a major loser.

[-] 1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

so let me get this straight i can't call you naive and uneducated because its what 4th graders do, but you can call me a major loser. isn't that infantile also to use those words. Like most liberals, you do not have an open mind and live in a intellectual bubble.

[-] 1 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

What's the matter? You can dish it out but you can't take it? Like they say, If the (L) on your forehead fits...

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

i understand that i'm a loser in the eyes of an occupier, that's fine i take it as a compliment. i'm here to try to bring another point of view, it just doesn't make sense how you hate the Koch brothers, but not a word about George Soros or other liberal billionaires who are politically active.

[-] 1 points by HitGirl (2263) 12 years ago

I thought I explained the Koch brothers are out to bring oligarchy to America. You start these fights by shooting off your stupid insults then complain that people aren't talking to you in an open-mined way. How f@#ked-up in the head are you!?!?

[-] 1 points by newman (-58) 12 years ago

Please support the Koch Brothers by buying their products

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

so let's analyze what you said, 'the Koch brothers are out to bring oligarchy to America'. Really? Have they told you this? Where is the vetted evidence? And you won't comment on one of the liberal equivalents to the Koch , George Soros.

[-] 1 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

The evidence is overwhelming about the Koch brothers and their filthy actions. And plenty of links to information about it have been posted on these fora, had you bothered to do a rudimentary search.

Soros may be super-wealthy, and he may even be dirty, but comparing him to the Koch brothers is like comparing throwing a bullet with shooting a gun.

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

i'm asking you, not some link. you should know these things if you are so convinced that koch brothers have done filthy actions.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

Do you need me to wipe your nose and ass for you, too? You have been given the sources. Either look at them or shut the fuck up.

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

oh the wonderful sound of defeat.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

Oh, the stupid sound of arrogance and dishonesty.

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

so you won't use your own words to analyze and you now want to ban me. Sounds like you won the argument (only in a upside down liberal left wing world).

[-] 1 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

You don't want information. Your demand is in-and-of-itself a lie. What you want is an argument.

Had information been your goal, you would have gotten it by now.

Go fuck your self.

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

it just proves that you are a blind follower of these stupid links. Use your own brain to analyze what's going on. Did you see the blog on this site about the 'evil banker' that left a 1% tip for a waitress. the occupier posted the link but didn't stop to think about what was being said. turns out it was all a fake.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

Still unwilling to get the information, I see. The blindness is yours, and it is utterly willful.

As such you have abdicated your right to comment.

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

didn't your mommy teach you to think for yourself? All you can do is post links and use foul language, shows how uneducated you are.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

The fact that you refuse to follow the links demonstrates one thing and one thing only: you had no interest in the information you "requested". and that the request itself was completely dishonest. You don't want information, you want argument.

When someone genuinely wants information and is told how to obtain it (and extremely easily, at that) they go get the info. Many even say "thank you", because a treasure has been made available. You, on the other hand, do none of that, because you were never interested in getting the information in the first place. Your very request was a lie, a tactic from a troll. And nobody wants to write thesis for a troll.

Didn't YOUR mommy teach you that telling a lie was bad?

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

tell me please, what have the Koch brothers done? you have just been brained washed by Unions.

[-] 2 points by epa1nter (4650) from Rutherford, NJ 12 years ago

I told you that you can do a search here on this very site for all the info. There are links by the dozens that answer your question. Just go to the search field at the top right of the forum page and type in "koch".

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

the kotches are conservative?

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

They are conserving their own wealth.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

yes

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

what are they conserving ?

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

they apparently aren't conserving your brain cells, because yours cells are becoming endangered.

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

I'm a liberal and I hate George Soros.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

good. Juan. i don't hate the kochs or soros, its a free country they can do what they legally can with their money. I just don't like liberals that hate the Koch brothers but then love Soros.

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

Well, even though I personally hate Soros, I can see why some people love him and hate the Koch brothers. He doesn't try to engineer society like they do and push their crazy agenda. He's just happy being him, and he keeps his money out of politics and that's that. I only hate him because he has more stuff than I do.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

again you stupidity is showing. Soros doesn't try to engineer society? Oh really. ever heard of Soro's Open Society. You'd probably love it as he supports illegal aliens.

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

You've got to be kidding me. What is wrong with people coming freely across the border into the US looking for better lives? We don't think the government should interfere in the private lives of individuals, like making them get invasive ultrasounds or making them join unions against their will or go to school.

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

Please stop... You're better than this. It's not worth your time.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 12 years ago

very nice - once again!

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Thanks.

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

funny how none of you brainless liberals mention, Soros, Moveon, Tides Foundation , SEIU, Unions in general, all of the rich Hollywood tycoons. its Koch brothers 100%. You have fallen for the Union brain washing.

[-] 2 points by flip (7101) 12 years ago

soros is a capitalist fool - and you?

[-] 1 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

It's not union brain washing! Unions free people. They are good. Soros doesn't have as much money as it looks like he does, because he reports more income on his taxes than he makes because he likes donating to the general welfare of the country. Stop hating on people you don't know about.

[-] -2 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

Soros is a billionaire and a socialist, he is a wanted man in France. He spends money trying to influence the direction of our country. You just give him a free pass because he is a liberal and socialist. Unions are free people, what a joke in non right to work states if there is a union you have to join it to work at said work place. And you have to pay dues. doesn't sound like Union are free anything.

[-] -1 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

No, you have it all wrong. In right to work states, union membership is ILLEGAL, not optional. Instead of giving you union membership, they take your dues and give it to corporations and stuff. Look, I didn't really like France before, but things are looking up with their increasingly non-white population. If they drop the warrant for Soros maybe I'll like them again. I don't actually hate him, I just want all of his stuff.

[-] 1 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

Sorry Juan, but they are not illegal here in Phoenix. They just are not mandatory for all employees who choose to work for the unionized company. Though this does lesson the power of unions in the state, right to work states are not union free states.

[-] -1 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

They may as we'll be union free then. If we are not going to make it compulsory to join, what good are they doing? The effect is the same as making it illegal.

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

Juan eres muy estupido. Unions aren't illegal in right to work states, everyone knows that. You just let everyone see how ignorant you are and how racist you are. What you don't like white people?

[-] -1 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

White people make dumb remarks against OWS, that's what. Get lost and go shoot your guns or whatever you do for "fun". What is there to like about the white race? Name any injustice done in the history of the world, and I'll show you a white person that is causing it.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

ok. i try to be color blind, but the U.S. is a great country because of its European background and Christian values that were brought here, combine that with the native americans, africans and we are a force to be reckoned with . don't know why it didn't work out as well for south of the border, but they are getting there.

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

No, we've been there. It is YOU degenerate white inbreeds who have trouble "getting there" socially. Go back to europe and let us have our country back. Do you think we would be struggling if we still had Silicon Valley? Of course not, we WOULD have been the tech capital of the world. Now america (lowercase a) is, because of our stolen land. And now they want to keep us out of it.

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

since when do native americans have spanish names? wasn't Mexico conquered by Spain and is therefore European as well?

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[-] 3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

In their vision the government should be an extension of the King's will, imprisoning those who oppose His will, (even better if He can make a profit from it) and allowing for the extension of His Kingdom. True America is still a land of many kings, but as history shows they eat each other and become fewer and fewer.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Agreed.

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Thank you, people should read your post :).

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

there is no fiscal cliff

More than two-thirds of the Discretionary budget went toward military spending. The remaining 6.5% of spending ($248 billion) went toward interest payments on the $15 trillion

http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/Budget_Spending.htm

the greater debt the US government has the more the money lenders get paid

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

I agree. Phony crises designed by right wingers to cut pgms that serve working/middle class.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

both parties play along

[-] 1 points by repubsRtheprob (1209) 11 years ago

they should all be replaced if they can't support the change we need.

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

Koch's vision of government is that of an extension of the King's will. Did one of the Koch tell you of their vision ? as visions are personal, no one can tell what someone's vision is. So is this vision documented or just some liberal fantasy?

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Wow have you ever voted in America, do you vote for people with whom you do not share their vision for America, or do you vote for people who have no vision for America, or is your wish for America so disgusting that you hope no one ever discovers it?

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

i'm asking you what the koch's vision is? do you even know? no you don't you just read rubbish and believe that's it true. use your brain if you still have one.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

gee, Carlitini.......why don't you share that vision? Please, by all means let's hear your repetitive right wing talking points........again.

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

All you have to do is listen to his footman Mr. Walker.

[-] -2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Yep!

[-] -3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Friday, can you believe that punk, carlitin?, jumping in here with his little oh I gottca' crap?

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

It would almost be funny, if it wasn't so sad. His credibility was shot a long time ago. He is like a brand new reader: The Little Troll That Could.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

You all say that you know what the koch's vision of America is. i'm asking what it is; and how do you know that's their vision. you all seem unable to answer either question.

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

You keep saying that we don't know. You keep saying that we are wrong. So, why don't you share that vision with us now? :D

[-] -1 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

do i have to repeat myself again. i don't know what their vision is, i'm asking you all what it is. And you don't know the answer, you just know the liberal mantra, Koch evil, Koch evil, Haliburton, Bush lied people died , and so on with the usual rubbish.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Wrong answer, Corn Flake. If we have to put up with all of your identities, you may have to repeat yourself again. We do know, ignorance on your part does not create necessity on mine. :D

Thanks for playing. May you, and all of your identities, have a great morning. You do know what day it is, right?

It's the day 80 cities are protesting to shut down the corporations.

[-] 0 points by Carlitini99 (-167) 12 years ago

again its sad, your lack of knowledge is surprising, i thought that liberals were suppose to be the smart ones. don't miss the next Union meetings where they teach you about the Koch brothers. Sorry the evil Koch brothers. its a left wing tactic choose a target and through repetition make people believe that the lies about said target are true. instead of using logic and reason you use tactics used by the nazi's. Have fun.

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

What's sad little buckaroo, is your denial!!!

May you, and all of your identities, have a great day!!!

[-] 3 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

I have said before, and I'll say it again - that these guys have earned a full on boycott from this movement by sheer default. In other words, there has been so much negative posting about them on this forum that I think they should get our full attention.

It is key, I think, in order to express our collective power, to focus on one entity at a time and see it through rather than scatter our efforts.

Let's consentrate on these guys until they know we are a force to be reckoned with.

[-] 2 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Gypsy what do you think about all the top SuperPac people, how they make their money ect., Looks like their are about 5 or 6 maybe little profiles of "The Fearless Leaders" who selflessly guide our polical system (satire).

[-] 2 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

This is good thinking. This is where writers in this movement could make a serious conribution! Satires are really excellent, and an ounce of humor often does more to change people's minds than a pound of anaysis!

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Speak of the devil, did you see where Bill Maher gave a million to Obama's SuperPac, to heck with the money I want him to go to work for it. Here’s a quote from story I think these guys bring a lot more than just money.

“The group has raised about $4.4 million since last year, $2 million of which came from Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg.”

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

There are a lot people, whether they are associated with OWS or not, that have been boycotting them for years.

[-] 1 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

Yes, perhaps what we need is to see whether they have been investigated. The way Enron got off without prosecutions is inexcusable. Perhaps it would be better to approach it from that end; a petition for either an investigation, or prosecution.

Just randome thoughts.

[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Why don't you rephrase your question? You know, be less of a dick and I will consider addressing your thread.

[-] -1 points by newman (-58) 12 years ago

Liberals hate anyone that is successful

[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

No. Not at all. :D

Somehow, I knew that you didn't have it in you. :)

[-] 2 points by bensdad (8977) 12 years ago

Who does more damage - kochs or ALEC?
Did you know ALEC's top priority is to call a new Constitutional Convention?

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Did you know KOCH=ALEC?

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

railroads made out on eminent domain

given the land along the tracks to build the railroad

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

I saw that. :(

[-] 0 points by JuanFenito (847) 12 years ago

All too often it seems Eminent Domain is being used exclusively for the benefit of the few.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

yep

[-] 0 points by jeivers (278) 12 years ago

The Cock Brothers are Evil men!

[-] 0 points by newman (-58) 12 years ago

Please support the Koch Brothers by buying their products

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[-] -2 points by Spade2 (478) 12 years ago

Why don't you jast murder them? That would solve a lot of problems.

[-] 3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

To prevent that is part of why I'm a liberal.

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

No. No it wouldn't. You do not go around murdering people. That is insane.

[-] -2 points by Spade2 (478) 12 years ago

Make it look like an accident.

[-] 1 points by rayl (1007) 12 years ago

forget it dipshit!

[-] 1 points by Spade2 (478) 12 years ago

Alright.