Editor, Times-Union: Some notice has been taken concerning the recent visit of a Koch brothers representative in Warsaw. The Koch family does appear to have a past affiliation with the John Birch Society, a society that stands for racial intolerance and inequality. The Koch Brothers have initiated a promotional campaign to clarify their image in regards to political influence. Enter Koch Brothers into a Google search and the first hit you'll see is http://www.kochfacts.com/kf/ ... A corporation would have to do something to generate so much suspicion as to need to launch such a public relations campaign in the first place.
You should also take the time to look further into some of the other search hits before drawing any conclusions about the Koch brothers and their political influence through massive Tea Party financial support. Try the link http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/ Consider the kind of political weight, thanks to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case, that a multi-billion dollar private equity enterprise could bring to bear upon the American people. It is a thinly veiled wolf in sheep’s clothing. Why wouldn’t they spend millions to push for even lower taxes, currently the lowest taxes Americans have paid in the last 50 years, to turn back environmental regulations that keep our drinking water safe and our air breathable, when it could pay off in billions that will go right back into their pockets and likely nowhere else. No stockholders, SEC or much of any other oversight to worry about. No regard for our crumbling infrastructure or the general populace.
When David Koch ran to the right of Reagan as vice president on the 1980 Libertarian ticket, his campaign called for the abolition not just of Social Security, federal regulatory agencies and welfare but also of the FBI, the CIA and public schools (can you say charter?) — in other words, any government enterprise that would either inhibit his business profits or increase his taxes.
Today, most likely their interest in Warsaw is in the Senate race between Joe Donnelly (D) and Richard Mourdock (R).
I’m sure they see the importance throwing their weight and money behind a senate race they may have a chance of winning in a strategic effort to tip the balance of power in the Senate versus a presidential candidate they have doubts about.
So for those of you who wonder how we in Warsaw merit the attentions of a Koch Brothers representative at our local exclusive social club of similar interests, remember that politics is all about money and power and who better to maintain a grip on power than those who already wield it. Now consider where you are in this food chain and vote accordingly come November, while we the voting public still has some remaining power in numbers.
