Koch Brothers' to spend $900m on 2016 elections

[Robert Goren]

Originally Posted by Tom

Not really.
the money coming from unions comes from the few that run it - the membership has no say in where THEIR dues go. That is a huge difference. You are forced to support candidates you do not like. Because a few people know what is good for you.

Just like the democrats and government.

As far as political ads on TV, I used to watch them all and then watch COPS and look for crossovers. That is how I decided who to vote for.

I take it, that you never vote then.

[Robert Goren]

Originally Posted by dartman51

Well, there's just no doubt that these Koch guys are evil, out to destroy the country, maybe even take over the world.

David H. Koch Charitable Foundation has pledged or contributed more than $1.2 billion to cancer research, medical centers, educational institutions, arts and cultural institutions, and to assist public policy organizations.

A prostate cancer survivor, Mr. Koch has donated $100 million as prime contributor for the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. Other pledges and contributions for medical and cancer research includes:
$100 million to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital to help build the David H. Koch Center, a new ambulatory care center, plus $28 million to other research causes
$20 million to Johns Hopkins University for the David H. Koch Cancer Research Center
$66.7 million to support cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
$26.5 million to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers and other causes
$26.2 million to The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City for the 'Building on Success' campaign and other causes
$10 million to Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center to create the David H. and Julia Koch Research Program in Food Allergy Therapeutics

In 2011, Mr. Koch received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the American Apparel and Footwear Association for his long-standing support of organizations working to find a cure for prostate cancer. The awards gala raised more than $1.1 million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In 2007, he was honored with the Double Helix Medal for Corporate Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for supporting research that, “improves the health of people everywhere.”

WOW!! I didn't realize these guys were so evil. But, I guess I should have known, as the lefties are always railing about the "EVIL RICH"

The Kochs do give money to charity. Nobody disputes that. It is the influence they buy for their businesses with their political contributions that people have a problem with. When they give to political causes they give for only one reason, they think they will get more back. For the people who say they can't buy votes because they can't buy theirs, they are not doing it for no reason. Advertising gets results. How do you learn about the candidates? Through advertising. Rarely do you know one of them personally.
They are very successful businessmen. They inherited a boat load full of money and turned it into an aircraft carrier full of money. Good for them. Most of us do not inherit a boat load of money, so what is good for them is not necessarily good for the rest of us although they do their best to convince us that it is. If my dad had left me a few hundred million dollars, I'd be a republican too.

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by tucker6

btw, I've never seen you post negatively about all the money Soros is giving the dems in their attempt to push socialism and wealth redistribution on the rest of us. Why is that?

Because he's a Pinko, that's why.

Someone had to say it.

[tucker6]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

The Kochs do give money to charity. Nobody disputes that. It is the influence they buy for their businesses with their political contributions that people have a problem with. When they give to political causes they give for only one reason, they think they will get more back. For the people who say they can't buy votes because they can't buy theirs, they are not doing it for no reason. Advertising gets results. How do you learn about the candidates? Through advertising. Rarely do you know one of them personally.
They are very successful businessmen. They inherited a boat load full of money and turned it into an aircraft carrier full of money. Good for them. Most of us do not inherit a boat load of money, so what is good for them is not necessarily good for the rest of us although they do their best to convince us that it is. If my dad had left me a few hundred million dollars, I'd be a republican too.

Who doesn't do that? Why give anything outside a charitable cause if not to get something in return? Is Soros giving $50M to political causes without motive? Your statement is sophomoric.

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by badcompany

Because he's a Pinko, that's why.

Someone had to say it.

I've been called worse on here.
You guys love your little labels for people, whether right or wrong.
Makes you feel good, I guess.

I referred to Soros earlier - I don't know how much he spends.
I'm willing to bet it's a fraction of what the Kochs' contribute.
Much of it is wasted on both sides, but each side has to try to
keep up with the other.

[Robert Goren]

Originally Posted by tucker6

Who doesn't do that? Why give anything outside a charitable cause if not to get something in return? Is Soros giving $50M to political causes without motive? Your statement is sophomoric.

No. He is most assuredly giving money to advance his business interests just like the Kochs. He is not doing to advance socialism as some here has suggested. The people who suggest that are badly mistaken. Can we at least agreed on that.

[JustRalph]

I love those guys !

[boxcar]

Originally Posted by dartman51

Well, there's just no doubt that these Koch guys are evil, out to destroy the country, maybe even take over the world.

David H. Koch Charitable Foundation has pledged or contributed more than $1.2 billion to cancer research, medical centers, educational institutions, arts and cultural institutions, and to assist public policy organizations.

A prostate cancer survivor, Mr. Koch has donated $100 million as prime contributor for the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. Other pledges and contributions for medical and cancer research includes:
$100 million to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital to help build the David H. Koch Center, a new ambulatory care center, plus $28 million to other research causes
$20 million to Johns Hopkins University for the David H. Koch Cancer Research Center
$66.7 million to support cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
$26.5 million to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers and other causes
$26.2 million to The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City for the 'Building on Success' campaign and other causes
$10 million to Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center to create the David H. and Julia Koch Research Program in Food Allergy Therapeutics

In 2011, Mr. Koch received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the American Apparel and Footwear Association for his long-standing support of organizations working to find a cure for prostate cancer. The awards gala raised more than $1.1 million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In 2007, he was honored with the Double Helix Medal for Corporate Leadership from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for supporting research that, “improves the health of people everywhere.”

WOW!! I didn't realize these guys were so evil. But, I guess I should have known, as the lefties are always railing about the "EVIL RICH"

Yes, they are EVIL! The only reason these greedy slimeballs make any donations at all is to get tax write-offs.

Boxcar
P.S. Oh yeah...and to put on airs of respectability in da community.

[tucker6]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

No. He is most assuredly giving money to advance his business interests just like the Kochs. He is not doing to advance socialism as some here has suggested. The people who suggest that are badly mistaken. Can we at least agreed on that.

I'll agree to that, but then why are you bellyaching about only Koch? Your statements should be about putting a pox on both houses. The real elephant in the room is the unions. They make both Koch and Soros both look like choir boys.

[boxcar]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

The Kochs do give money to charity. Nobody disputes that. It is the influence they buy for their businesses with their political contributions that people have a problem with. When they give to political causes they give for only one reason, they think they will get more back.

Hmm...kinda like unions, eh?

[Clocker]

Originally Posted by boxcar

Hmm...kinda like unions, eh?

Not the same. The Kochs are giving their own money. Union leaders are giving their members' money, often without their consent or even knowledge.

[dartman51]

Originally Posted by boxcar

Yes, they are EVIL! The only reason these greedy slimeballs make any donations at all is to get tax write-offs.

Boxcar
P.S. Oh yeah...and to put on airs of respectability in da community.

I see you are trying to take MoPo's job as resident mind reader. If I had a few billion laying around, I would give a lot away to charities. I would also look for tax write offs too. I'm certain I would donate to political campaigns. Individual campaigns, a not political party. I guess that would make me a greedy slime ball. Oh, well, he who is without sin can cast the first stone.

[NJ Stinks]

Originally Posted by Tom

Not really.
the money coming from unions comes from the few that run it - the membership has no say in where THEIR dues go. That is a huge difference. You are forced to support candidates you do not like. Because a few people know what is good for you.

Just like the democrats and government.

Not in my case. I belong to the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). (I'm retired but I'm still kept my membership in retirement because I understand and appreciate the value of union membership. FYI, retired federal employees pay dues at a reduced rate since our need for a union rep is obviously zero nowadays.)

NTEU has about 150,000 members and represent about 30 federal government agencies according to Wikipedia.

Anyway, federal employees don't have join NTEU, it's voluntary. Further, Federal law prohibits NTEU from using union dues money for political contributions. If a federal employee or retiree wants to make political contributions via NTEU, it must be done through TEPAC - the political arm of NTEU. Voluntary political contributions to TEPAC are separate and distinct from union dues paid to NTEU. Basically, what NTEU does is recommend contributions be made to members of Congress who work to protect and defend the rights of federal employee and retirees. If you want to contribute to the politicians recommended by NTEU, it's strictly voluntary.

Bottom line is 90% of all federal employees who can join and pay union dues to NTEU voluntarily do so. And Federal employees are not forced (as Tom says) to support political candidates we don't like. In fact, it's the complete opposite of what Tom said for members at my government union.

[Tom]

That may be true in your case, but UAW - they make contributions.
Teamsters.......and so on.

MoPo......care to chime in about the USPS?

When any union makes a political contribution, support for it is never unanimous.

[boxcar]

Originally Posted by Clocker

Not the same. The Kochs are giving their own money. Union leaders are giving their members' money, often without their consent or even knowledge.

But it is the same because unions contribute money to specific candidates and parties with the same ulterior motives as large private or corporate donors. All expect something in return.