The Koch brothers...not Trump fans

Discussion in 'West Mall' started by Seattle Husker, Aug 3, 2015.

  1. Seattle Husker

    Seattle Husker 10,000+ Posts

    According to CNN, Trump wasn't invited to a Koch Brother soiree with the candidates and 450 high heeled backers. http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/03/politics/2016-election-koch-brothers-donor-retreat/index.html

    Trump tweeted his feelings:
    Rubio, Walker, Bush, Cruz and Fiorina were the 5 candidates invited.

    The Koch brothers have a reputation as evil right-wing dudes acting like the wizard behind the curtain. I found these nuggets interesting.

    At least half of that agenda seems to be at serious odds with the Republican agenda. It's the Republicans that fight for "corporate welfare" and the other favorable business laws.
     
  2. Larry T Spider

    Larry T Spider 100+ Posts

    The left's portrayal of the Koch brothers as far right hate mongers is ridiculous. I agree with them sometime and other times I don't. But they seem like guys looking for practical solutions with only a little bit of hate and wacko-ness sprinkled in. Trump on the other hand is mostly hate and wacko-ness with very few solutions mixed in. Not surprised to see they aren't getting along.
     
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  3. Mr. Deez

    Mr. Deez Beer Prophet

    This really isn't a big surprise. The Koch Bros. agenda has always been pro-big business especially in the oil industry (low taxes, light regulation, anti-union, pro-immigration). Trump's policy agenda (at least what little of a policy agenda he has actually specified) could be described as economic nationalist (restricted immigration, penalties on American businesses that produce items overseas for sale in the US, etc.) and that isn't favorable to guys like the Kochs.

    Larry is right. The Left's description of the Koch Bros as right wing zealots is stupid and ignorant. In terms of policy, they're no different than most pro-business organizations that have influenced the American political system for 200+ years.

    The reason why they draw the Left's contempt more than other business groups is that they bankroll organizations such as FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity (which direct money to the Tea Party orgnanizations nationwide) that advocate a no-compromise approach to budget issues. When guys like McConnell and Boehner want to strike deals with the White House on the budget, Koch-backed groups are the ones who throw fits.

    In short, the Koch Bros like and will back the "****-flingers."
     

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