Tea Party Funding Koch Brothers Emerge From Anonymity

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Very well said. I was getting ready to post about Soros, but I couldn't have stated the issue any better than you did. Thanks for your comments.

Kevin of FL 8:56PM August 17, 2011

In comparing the Koch brothers with George Soros I see no major difference in mode of operation, only a difference in philosophy. Soros admits deliberately shorting the British pound sterling in order to make 2 billion dollars , destroying the life savings of hundreds of thousands of British savings accounts. His political support of various candidates and causes have been pretty much under the table until recently. He has said, paraphrasing, that the only impediment to a better world is the United States. He has admitted to desiring to change the entire political system of the U. S., much as the president that he mentored and financed, Obama, has attempted to do. He is an avowed socialist, until it comes to acquiring money. He stated that he could separate his humanitarian feelings completely from his business operations. And you want to complain about the Koch brothers? By helping to finance the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act, he assured himself a major role in financing his own political philosphy through support of the Democratic party and his chosen candidates. A very good reference work, all documented, would be "Shadow Party," by Horowitz and Poe.

spotted owl of ID 12:10PM August 14, 2011

Trade the name Koch for Snyder and you have exactly what happens in Armstrong County. Working behind the scenes and controlling the courthouse, hospital, Sen. Don White, Rep. Jeff Pyle, interfering with school district elections in order to get their elitist puppets in charge and our local Tea Party. I don't believe all the members of the Tea Party are even aware of how deep this goes. Our local Tea Party put a full page color ad (approx. $2000) to advertise a debate with 2 school board directors. An unpaid job? For a school district position? Someone should investigate White and Pyle's interference in school board elections and school board actions. Voting regions were changed in order to get their candidates elected. Pyle's employee was Stan Berdell (Snyder supported candidate's) chairperson. Once the republicans took control of the PA administration last January, White and Pyle got to the acting sec. of ed. and undid a year's worth of school district's work on building projects. Costing the district millions with no real excuse. There are many good people with good intentions in the Tea Party that are unaware of the big power players controlling the local media (Leader Times) and playing on people's fears in order to control everything and abuse their power. All in secret. In Armstrong County, it's oil and gas money. The big question is why are they so concerned about trying to close the four existing high schools and have one big new high school in 436 square miles? There has to be money involved somewhere....and it's not about education.

ASD Concerned of PA 11:23PM August 08, 2011

What Happened to Representation?
What we have seen in Washington D.C. these last few weeks is blatant posturing for the 2012 Presidential elections. It has absolutely nothing to do with the greater good of our great Nation. Our elected members of congress and Senate, democrat or republican, are playing political football without regard for the citizens of the United States of America. Our congressmen and women have no clue about the people they were elected to represent. We're also going to see a huge number of "ear marks" attached to what ever bill they will finally decide on. So, big deal, they cut deep into spending but tack on new spending. Any fool knows you can't spend more than you are making. People also know they can't keep borrowing to cover what they have already borrowed. Americans know they need more income to pay their debts and live a comfortable life. It's just not there with the job market as it is today. The time has come to create more revenue and tax those who can afford to pay a larger share of their income.
I predict are going to see a greater voter turn out in the elections this fall and next year for the presidental election. The citizens are fed up with the partisan politics and lack of responsible actions in the house and senate. Especially with the antics we see happening now. The tide is starting to turn. The posturing has taken a precedence over the greater good for our great country. The politicians will return to spend, spend, spend after they think the dust has settled. They'll spend millions of dollars on their campaigns just to get your vote. Then, they go to Washington and fall in lock-step with the party line with no regard for the wants and needs of those who elected them. They just don't care as long as it makes them look good and their opponents look bad. Where is the representation in that?

Paul of OH 10:03PM July 30, 2011

In the 19th century, moral reprobates like Jay Gould would crash the stock market so they could pick up the pieces cheaply (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%281869%29).
When the US's AAA credit rating is gone (almost a certainty now) and the dollar drops, we'll see who was behind this game by watching who made money on "shorting" the dollar.
I bet it's the Kochs and their ilk; after all, they were the money behind the Tea Party (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/right-wing_backers_koch_industries_we_dont_specifi.php).
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." (variously attributed, but apparently NOT Sinclair Lewis)

Capt. Nemo of FL 7:33AM July 30, 2011

You should be ashamed of yourself. Playing the puppet for some billionaire who pulls your strings. As a doctor for 28 years I have treated both rich and poor patients. I treated all of them the same, thats what I am supposed to do! I personally hate rich self centered people who will do anything to avoid doing the right thing. The Koch brothers have spent their lives polluting our enviroment, and it is their goal to get rid of the EPA. You idiots are their puppets! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why Cancer and Autism is on the rise, POLUTION! We are being poisoned by people like the Koch brother's and you fools are helping them achieve their goals.

John E Sullivan DDS of IL 12:55PM July 29, 2011

. . . is being pronounced completely different, not like "coke". Koch is German and means cook. It is pronounced with a short o-vocal and a glotal h at the end.

Chris Cagney of NY 6:48AM July 29, 2011

I think it's highly debatable the Tea Party is trying to change anything. They come across as a group of confused and uninformed nihilists, many of whom are overtly racist and don't like Obama for that reason. They're easily duped and manipulated puppets who offer no solutions.

Hugh of PA 3:17PM July 24, 2011

Are the Koch brother's doing something illegal?

september of WA 2:49AM July 09, 2011

Why does this person have to mention Soros? This isn't an article about Soros, it's one about the Kochs. Why must they mention every wealthy person that contributes to political campaigns? Totally agree about the Tea Party Cartoon ad, though.

Pascal of NY 10:41AM June 14, 2011