What Do You Think The Motives Are Behind The Billionaire Koch Brothers Secret Meetings?
SLIDESHOW: What Are The Koch Brothers Motives?
The Young Turks
Sun Jul 17, 2011 at 03:00 PM PDT
The Koch 'Free Enterprise' Meeting to 'Protect America' -- Conducted in Total Secrecy, of course.
by jamess
For some reason, holding Top Secret Meetings to save our "free market" way of life, kind of bugs me.
It's not just that I don't trust Billionaires -- it just kind of bugs me they want to Buy our Democracy and Public Assets outright (whenever a sympathetic Governor will help them), turning our States' precious Resources, into their part of their own Private-Sector empires.
Public Debt? -- No Problem! Have they got a Deal for you.
Billionaire brothers to host conservative seminar in Vail
Virginia governor among those on Koch brothers' guest list this weekend
Lauren Glendenning, The Vail Daily, Aspen, CO Colorado -- June 24, 2011
A recent study by The Center for Public Integrity, a Washington-based watchdog, found that Koch Industries, the brothers' Kansas-based energy company that is the second largest private company in the United States, has increased its spending on lobbying from $856,000 in 2004 to $20 million in the last two years. The report also shows the company had $100 billion in revenues in 2009.
[...]
“Our goal is really just to expose the work that they do,” Jenny Flanagan said [of Colorado Common Cause].
Nancy Pfotenhauer, spokeswoman for Koch Industries, Inc., issued the following statement to the Vail Daily Thursday:
“This conference brings together some of America's greatest philanthropists and most successful business leaders whose companies have created millions of real jobs. Attendees will discuss solutions to our most pressing issues and strategies to promote policies that will help grow our economy, foster free enterprise and create American jobs.”
"... grow the economy, foster free enterprise and create American jobs" ...
All in total secrecy, with total anonymity, of course. Can't have those pesky reporters snooping around ... now can we?
That wouldn't be polite. Billionaires and their Guests, need their Privacy.
Public Accountability? -- they Don't need no Accountability -- they're Billionaires; They're the "Job Creators" ...
THEY define the Accountability, in Today's America ... move along people.
Billionaires and their honored Guests, need their Privacy.
Perry spoke Sunday at Koch brothers’ gathering near Vail
by Jason Embry, statesman.com Austin -- June 27, 2011
Gov. Rick Perry spoke Sunday at a summit hosted by the billionaire Koch brothers near Vail, Colorado.
Perry spokesman Mark Miner described the Colorado summit as a “private gathering of business leaders” and said it was not related to a possible presidential campaign.
[...]
Miner also said Perry talked about issues related to his role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
[...]
The guest list is kept secret, and organizers won’t say where the four-day retreat is being held beyond describing it as in the Vail area.
Oh I see, No need to Make Public, the tactics and strategies to continue the GOP campaign to take over even more States, to break them up, and sell off the pieces to the highest bidders.
-- It's Not like State Governor Campaigns, are of concern to the Public or anything.
Who needs Public Disclosures when they got Front Groups, to bemuse the locals ... as the Bloomberg News, has just recently noticed ...
Koch Brothers Spread Influence Via Blueberry Farmer [in Maine]
by William McQuillen and Jonathan D. Salant -- Bloomberg.com - Jul 15, 2011
[...]
Donations to Americans for Prosperity jumped to $16.6 million in 2009 from $3.5 million in 2007, Internal Revenue Service filings show. Koch Industries’ spending to lobby on federal issues surged 40-fold to $8.1 million last year from $200,000 in 1998, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group.
[...]
“The spending can make a powerful impact,” Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said in an interview. “There is a bottom-up effect. You only have to see what is happening in Ohio and Wisconsin.”
Walker, Kasich
The group’s support for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Ohio Governor John Kasich helped the two Republicans win legislation restricting public employee unions. In Wisconsin, Americans for Prosperity organized rallies, set up a pro-Walker website and announced an ad campaign costing more than $300,000 to support him.
Firing Public Workers, Breaking up Unions, running False Ads ad nauseum, to get your Governor-picks elected ... Well, that's Priceless!
I can see why the Kochs might want to keep all THAT Secret.
Shoot, if you make too much fuss folks, they might Shut Down your entire State Government -- if you ask them too many questions ...
We can't have that -- They are the "Job Creators"
Common Cause to protest conservative Koch brothers confab Sunday in Avon
by David O. Williams, Real Vail – June 24, 2011
Colorado Common Cause today issued a release saying it will join with labor organizations and other progressive groups to “protest against oil/corporate billionaires Charles and David Koch’s efforts to control the nation’s future by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in secret money” on campaign ads.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
No one is above the Law.
Money is Power.
Money is also Speech.
... and Corporate Speech is paramount -- the flow of which must not be interrupted, especially when that Speech is occurring behind closed doors, from Billionaire slush funds fire hydrants.
Go figure. Funny system we got here ... where Lies are speech too. The People deserve to be Mis-informed, by unknown, unnamed Benefactors. That's the American {Corporate} Way!
Pretty soon Corporate Titans will be holding Secret Meetings, to discuss the Threats facing their America. Only Republican Power Players invited. You understand America, the "Little People" need not worry, this is how Business gets done ... you know -- 'Pink Slip' anyone?
Billionaire brothers to host conservative seminar in Vail
Lauren Glendenning, The Vail Daily, Aspen, CO Colorado -- June 24, 2011
Money and influence
In a September 2010 letter to supporters, Charles Koch describes the annual meetings as a way to review strategies
“for combating the multitude of public policies that threaten to destroy America as we know it.”
“Our goal for these meetings must be to advance ideas that strengthen that freedom, beat back the unrelenting attacks and hold elected leaders accountable,” Charles Koch wrote.
The meetings, “Understanding and Addressing Threats to American Free Enterprise and Prosperity,” are invitation-only. While members of the media are not among those invited, millionaire, right-wing donors are.
Flanagan [of Colorado Common Cause] said the seminars are so important because it's when the brothers and their donors decide how to spend their money.
“We're talking about millions of dollars that are used to influence public policy,” Flanagan said. “This is the meeting where they come together and figure out where they're going to spend this money.”
Flanagan said money has been spent on everything from rolling back environmental protections to attacking social security.
“The biggest concern we have is that the money will be spent in secret,” Flanagan said.
Afterall if they Told Us -- WHAT they were up to -- just where their Millions in Free-Secret-Speech were going -- We might actually be able to Do Something to Stop them.
Now that wouldn't be prudent, now would it?
That could make us, the Public, a part of their Problem.
What's this a rare ray of Sunlight? Are their Campaign Coffers about to be filled?
Koch Network Participants, Vail 2011
Name About
Kenneth T Cuccinelli II Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia
David Koch Richest man in New York
Charles G. Koch Libertarian billionaire scion of the Koch empire.
Fred Malek Republican Operative, Business luminary
Robert F McDonnell Governor of Virginia
Rick Perry Governor of Texas
Rick Scott Republican Governor of Florida
Us, "Little People" -- need not apply ... and Need not know.
Free-Enterprise 'protectin' is only for Billionaires, and their chosen Representatives -- silly peasants. Just be happy you still have cake.
Privatization is a "Good thing" {for them} -- just Trust them!
Billionaire brothers to host conservative seminar in Vail
[...]
“Our goal is really just to expose the work that they do,” Jenny Flanagan said [of Colorado Common Cause].
Nancy Pfotenhauer, spokeswoman for Koch Industries, Inc., issued the following statement to the Vail Daily Thursday:
“This conference brings together some of America's greatest philanthropists and most successful business leaders whose companies have created millions of real jobs. Attendees will discuss solutions to our most pressing issues and strategies to promote policies that will help grow our economy, foster free enterprise and create American jobs.”
"... grow the economy, foster free enterprise and create American jobs" ...
That wouldn't be polite. Billionaires and their Guests, need their Privacy.
Public Accountability? -- they Don't need no Accountability -- they're Billionaires; They're the "Job Creators" ...
Billionaires and their honored Guests, need their Privacy.
Perry spoke Sunday at Koch brothers’ gathering near Vail
by Jason Embry, statesman.com Austin -- June 27, 2011
Gov. Rick Perry spoke Sunday at a summit hosted by the billionaire Koch brothers near Vail, Colorado.Perry spokesman Mark Miner described the Colorado summit as a “private gathering of business leaders” and said it was not related to a possible presidential campaign.
[...]Miner also said Perry talked about issues related to his role as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
[...]The guest list is kept secret, and organizers won’t say where the four-day retreat is being held beyond describing it as in the Vail area.
Oh I see, No need to Make Public, the tactics and strategies to continue the GOP campaign to take over even more States, to break them up, and sell off the pieces to the highest bidders.
-- It's Not like State Governor Campaigns, are of concern to the Public or anything.
Who needs Public Disclosures when they got Front Groups, to bemuse the locals ... as the Bloomberg News, has just recently noticed ...
Koch Brothers Spread Influence Via Blueberry Farmer [in Maine]
by William McQuillen and Jonathan D. Salant -- Bloomberg.com - Jul 15, 2011
[...]
Donations to Americans for Prosperity jumped to $16.6 million in 2009 from $3.5 million in 2007, Internal Revenue Service filings show. Koch Industries’ spending to lobby on federal issues surged 40-fold to $8.1 million last year from $200,000 in 1998, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group.
[...]“The spending can make a powerful impact,” Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said in an interview. “There is a bottom-up effect. You only have to see what is happening in Ohio and Wisconsin.”
Walker, Kasich
The group’s support for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Ohio Governor John Kasich helped the two Republicans win legislation restricting public employee unions. In Wisconsin, Americans for Prosperity organized rallies, set up a pro-Walker website and announced an ad campaign costing more than $300,000 to support him.
Firing Public Workers, Breaking up Unions, running False Ads ad nauseum, to get your Governor-picks elected ... Well, that's Priceless!
I can see why the Kochs might want to keep all THAT Secret.
Shoot, if you make too much fuss folks, they might Shut Down your entire State Government -- if you ask them too many questions ...
We can't have that -- They are the "Job Creators"
Common Cause to protest conservative Koch brothers confab Sunday in Avon
by David O. Williams, Real Vail – June 24, 2011
Colorado Common Cause today issued a release saying it will join with labor organizations and other progressive groups to “protest against oil/corporate billionaires Charles and David Koch’s efforts to control the nation’s future by spending hundreds of millions of dollars in secret money” on campaign ads.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
No one is above the Law.
Money is Power.
Money is also Speech.
... and Corporate Speech is paramount -- the flow of which must not be interrupted, especially when that Speech is occurring behind closed doors, from Billionaire slush funds fire hydrants.
Go figure. Funny system we got here ... where Lies are speech too. The People deserve to be Mis-informed, by unknown, unnamed Benefactors. That's the American {Corporate} Way!
Pretty soon Corporate Titans will be holding Secret Meetings, to discuss the Threats facing their America. Only Republican Power Players invited. You understand America, the "Little People" need not worry, this is how Business gets done ... you know -- 'Pink Slip' anyone?
Billionaire brothers to host conservative seminar in Vail
Lauren Glendenning, The Vail Daily, Aspen, CO Colorado -- June 24, 2011
Money and influence
In a September 2010 letter to supporters, Charles Koch describes the annual meetings as a way to review strategies
“for combating the multitude of public policies that threaten to destroy America as we know it.”“Our goal for these meetings must be to advance ideas that strengthen that freedom, beat back the unrelenting attacks and hold elected leaders accountable,” Charles Koch wrote.
The meetings, “Understanding and Addressing Threats to American Free Enterprise and Prosperity,” are invitation-only. While members of the media are not among those invited, millionaire, right-wing donors are.
Flanagan [of Colorado Common Cause] said the seminars are so important because it's when the brothers and their donors decide how to spend their money.
“We're talking about millions of dollars that are used to influence public policy,” Flanagan said. “This is the meeting where they come together and figure out where they're going to spend this money.”
Flanagan said money has been spent on everything from rolling back environmental protections to attacking social security.
“The biggest concern we have is that the money will be spent in secret,” Flanagan said.
Afterall if they Told Us -- WHAT they were up to -- just where their Millions in Free-Secret-Speech were going -- We might actually be able to Do Something to Stop them.
Now that wouldn't be prudent, now would it?
That could make us, the Public, a part of their Problem.
What's this a rare ray of Sunlight? Are their Campaign Coffers about to be filled?
Koch Network Participants, Vail 2011
Name AboutKenneth T Cuccinelli II Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia
David Koch Richest man in New York
Charles G. Koch Libertarian billionaire scion of the Koch empire.
Fred Malek Republican Operative, Business luminary
Robert F McDonnell Governor of Virginia
Rick Perry Governor of Texas
Rick Scott Republican Governor of Florida
Us, "Little People" -- need not apply ... and Need not know.
Free-Enterprise 'protectin' is only for Billionaires, and their chosen Representatives -- silly peasants. Just be happy you still have cake.
Privatization is a "Good thing" {for them} -- just Trust them!
Top Opinion
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Caroline - fan of Audubon 2011/07/30 18:57:44
+7To increase their wealth and power. Interesting that billionaires as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates give millions away in charities, but the Kochs do not.
Big Labor has no problem INVESTING millions of their dollars in Koch Corporate Bonds - if the left dislikes them so - why are they INVESTING in their bonds?
http://www.nationalreview.com...
If only lib/progs would invest half as much time investigating the people funding their platform like: General Electric, who paid -61.3% in taxes from 2008 - 2010 http://www.forbes.com/2010/04... and George Soros, a billionaire hedge-fund manager that laughingly admits his first Billion was made of the backs of others misfortunes when he deliberately tanked the Bank of England http://www.zerohedge.com/news...
Alas, the left's more concerned with people that actually produce something which others CHOOSE to buy.
The Koch's didn't make their money by manipulating (and in some cases collapsing) currencies or the economies of ENTIRE NATION'S, like George Soros. The Koch's support eliminating subsidies for ALL COMPANIES (including Big Oil) and support ending ALL TAX LOOPHOLES, unlike General Electric. Yet the left rally behind Obama's appointing a G.E. CEO as his jobs czar - who is now creating jobs in CHINA.
http://www.examiner.com/conse...
They've no problem with George Soros making his money at the expense of ot...
Big Labor has no problem INVESTING millions of their dollars in Koch Corporate Bonds - if the left dislikes them so - why are they INVESTING in their bonds?
http://www.nationalreview.com...
If only lib/progs would invest half as much time investigating the people funding their platform like: General Electric, who paid -61.3% in taxes from 2008 - 2010 http://www.forbes.com/2010/04... and George Soros, a billionaire hedge-fund manager that laughingly admits his first Billion was made of the backs of others misfortunes when he deliberately tanked the Bank of England http://www.zerohedge.com/news...
Alas, the left's more concerned with people that actually produce something which others CHOOSE to buy.
The Koch's didn't make their money by manipulating (and in some cases collapsing) currencies or the economies of ENTIRE NATION'S, like George Soros. The Koch's support eliminating subsidies for ALL COMPANIES (including Big Oil) and support ending ALL TAX LOOPHOLES, unlike General Electric. Yet the left rally behind Obama's appointing a G.E. CEO as his jobs czar - who is now creating jobs in CHINA.
http://www.examiner.com/conse...
They've no problem with George Soros making his money at the expense of other people loosing their entire life's savings.
If you dislike the Koch's don't do business with them. How many people, who lost money in Soros currency manipulation schemes, do you think CHOSE to do business with Soros? And how many people CHOOSE to do business with the Koch's? There's your answer right there.
The Koch Bros have found , at last, the perfect vehicle to control America... the Tea Party will gridlock all legislation that benefits this country. The plan is in motion now.
whats ironic is that with all the money they have you would think they would retire or do something productive.But at the end sadly it doesn't pay to be stupid in humanity because there are more opportunists than good samaritans they are hell bent on perhaps ''accidentally'' if you want to believe destroying humanity.and they have so many idiots convinced
http://www.sodahead.com/unite...
I don't mind debating but to be told what to do and say i just cant do that . I just wish the tea party had more organization a plan that all could work on at one time . Just way to many totally different ideas going around and most are having a hard time trying to figure out what the main goal or objective is .