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Koch Brothers Bail On Their Own Movement

This website is frequently accused of having some sort of allegiance to Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch (a.k.a. the Koch Brothers), a pair of billionaire industrialists who were early supporters of the Tea Party movement. Of course this purely reactionary conclusion neglects to incorporate our critical coverage of…

This website is frequently accused of having some sort of allegiance to Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch (a.k.a. the Koch Brothers), a pair of billionaire industrialists who were early supporters of the Tea Party movement.

Of course this purely reactionary conclusion neglects to incorporate our critical coverage of their proximity to S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s infamous “Savannah River Sellout.”

Remember that scandal? For those of you who have forgotten, Haley chose to accommodate the state of Georgia’s government-funded Savannah port expansion project – effectively killing a public-private port facility in Jasper County, S.C. (and weakening the port of Charleston, S.C.).

You read that right … a Tea Party governor chose a taxpayer-funded project in another state over a public-private partnership that would have benefited her own state.

And the Kochs – who are supposed to stand against that sort of thing – were major beneficiaries of the betrayal.

Anyway, we bring the Kochs up today in the context of what we believe is another betrayal in a much bigger fight. We’re referring to a letter to Congress from the Koch’s top lobbyist Philip Ellender regarding the current government “shutdown.”

According to Ellender’s letter, despite pronouncements from liberal leaders in Washington, D.C. the Kochs have “not taken a position on the legislative tactic of tying the (budget) resolution to defunding Obamacare nor have we lobbied on legislative provisions defunding Obamacare.”

Translation?

The Kochs are with the GOP establishment on this one … which is funny when you consider the they (and the rest of the GOP) have existed on little beyond fomenting anti-Obamacare rage for the past three years.

All so they can now unilaterally surrender over a “shutdown” that only impacts 17 percent of the government?

Sheesh …

Billions of dollars clearly can’t buy you a backbone, can it?

 

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32 comments

? October 10, 2013 at 4:19 pm

“This website is frequently accused of having some sort of allegiance to Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch”

Welp, you post articles by Howard Rich, who is tied to them-and probably get paid to do so(which frankly, I have no problem with…but I do think you should disclose that you get paid, not necessarily how much).

You also frequently cite Cato, founded partially by the Kochs…which Rich sits on the board of….so there’s that too.

IMO none of that is a problem if they are funding you for putting out a message that both of you agree with most of the time…I just think disclosure brings you more credibility.

In fact, when you disagree with some of their moves from time to time it helps your credibility even more.

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Smirks October 10, 2013 at 5:10 pm

There’s a litany of evidence between Rich and FITS that is completely and utterly undeniable. It isn’t just Cato, but Club for Growth and Americans for Limited Government, as well as other organizations. Frequent postings from people like Bill Wilson or others who post on behalf of Rich-affiliated organizations. Frequent postings of press releases from politicians they fund. Frequent post on issues they champion (the most popularly called out one on here is school choice).

The simple fact he worked for Mark Sanford, someone who was funded by Rich, could explain how he could have run into dealings with him. Who knows, maybe when Willie got sacked, Howie thought he was still useful? That’s mostly speculation on my part, but it seems feasible. Either way, there may be no “fire” to be seen, but there’s enough smoke to warrant pulling the fire alarm and finding the nearest fire escape.

Being paid by someone is harmless by itself. FITS has a “donate” button and anyone can contribute, as they should rightfully be able to. If that’s all Rich does, whatever. What I would question isn’t who is donating, but if those donations influence what is posted here, if a donator can actually dictate what is talked about, or even write the material themselves. Even if he just takes the money and posts things he’s told to post that he already agrees with anyway, the mere notion that even some of the political content on this site is prepared for him rather than his own content I think severely damages his credibility. It is the equivalent of getting a concert ticket only to find out the singer lip syncs every show. Fuck. That.

I sincerely hope I’m wrong because overall, I do enjoy the site. Knowing such suspicions were true would put a real damper on it.

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? October 10, 2013 at 5:22 pm

“Even if he just takes the money and posts things he’s told to post that he already agrees with anyway, the mere notion that even some of the political content on this site is prepared for him rather than his own content I think severely damages his credibility.”

I’m not sure that’s the case, he pretty much just posts the “Rich” related stuff straight up and attributes them directly.

He posts the occasional study/reference to Cato is some of his work, but it’s relevant to his viewpoints from time to time

Again, all media should be caveat emptor for everyone…there is no one “immune” from influence of/from other for a variety of reasons, including money.

At the end of your day, you take in information, check its credibility/accuracy to the best of your ability…then make a decision and move on. The stupid do otherwise.

It’s why I can listen to both Fox & MSNBC…toss out 50% of what I hear and still appreciate the other 50%.

It’s why I enjoy Jon Stewart & Colbert, even if they are commies from time to time…or stop in and listen to Maddow even if she’s the same.

For that matter I listen to Rush from time to time as well, or Beck, even O’Reilly who I hate for his bedside manner.

I have the ability to take information or recognize it for shit and leave it as such…and their corporate sponsors matter little in that decision.

If they had no sponsors…and weren’t able to broadcast at all…that would be a much larger/more dangerous problem.

It would be unfair/unjust to apply a different standard to Will, maybe even worse because he doesn’t have access to the big time donors that the MSM whores do.

In fact, his “truthiness” is stamped right at the top of the page:

“Unfair. Imbalanced”.

It’s brilliant really, and much more truthful than anyone else in the business.

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Thomas October 10, 2013 at 6:50 pm

I think you are swinging after the bell. Your posts appear day in and day out, month in and month out, year in and year out. Your clicking back to re-read your masterpieces of gobbedly gook, then of course replying or clicking likes and dislikes gives him a nice Google Ad check as well as “traffic” that ranks the site for advertising. Your clicks alone, the 1st Qtr only, paid for that all expense paid trip to the beach he took his entire staff on.

What of it, Snarks? Mind your own business.

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nitrat October 10, 2013 at 6:51 pm

That’s easy for a troll to say.

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Thomas October 10, 2013 at 7:59 pm

You are another one who runs their mouth without saying anything. I have two words for you…bail-in. When Nancy takes the gavel in 2014, her bail-in bills will make Obamacare look like a gateway drug. Enjoy your retirement while you still can…and please, get a life.

Frank Pytel October 11, 2013 at 3:57 am

Its even easier for me to say.

Jesus H. Christ! October 11, 2013 at 12:45 pm

I thought you were giving up your citizenship?

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Jesus H. Christ! October 11, 2013 at 12:43 pm

I agree – Fits should keep taking the money but make an occasional show of disagreeing on some minor point. Good optics.

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TeaPartyTupid October 10, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Translation: We all about trashing Obama over just about anything, but do not screw with our money

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Centrist View October 10, 2013 at 5:00 pm

The news stories seem to say something to that effect.

Google search terms: business GOP

Business Groups See Loss of Sway Over House G.O.P.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/us/business-groups-see-loss-of-sway-over-house-gop.html
[Excerpt]
WASHINGTON — As the government shutdown grinds toward a potential debt default, some of the country’s most influential business executives have come to a conclusion all but unthinkable a few years ago: Their voices are carrying little weight with the House majority that their millions of dollars in campaign contributions helped build and sustain.

Their frustration has grown so intense in recent days that several trade
association officials warned in interviews on Wednesday that they were
considering helping wage primary campaigns against Republican lawmakers
who had worked to engineer the political standoff in Washington.

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Thank you Jim DeMint October 11, 2013 at 12:09 am

Amen to that.
It’s a front-page, above-the-fold NYT article.
It says business people large and small, and trade groups, now believe that their once-beloved “tea party” champions, are abandoning the tea party.
They’ve gone IN-SAAAAAANNNNEEE.
I LOVE IT.
Thank you, Jim DeMint.
You made my day.

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tomstickler October 10, 2013 at 10:44 pm

The Koch brothers will not remain billionaires by pounding their dollars down a rathole.

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Jesus H. Christ! October 11, 2013 at 12:42 pm

They’ve got so much they won’t miss a few hundred mil.

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johnq October 10, 2013 at 4:45 pm

Subverting the US economy for their own gain most likely would have got them a drone up their greedy asses at some point especially if the economy crashed.

Wouldn’t bother me if the CIA treated them like the terrorists they are. Fuck ’em! Same with that traitorous puke Murdoch too!!

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Vanguard16 October 10, 2013 at 5:12 pm

They should have a bounty on their heads!!

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Cicero October 10, 2013 at 5:46 pm

Seems like the entire Upstate delegation is about to “bail” too. Where’s the “backbone” talk about them? Maybe they’re just done playing in the defund fantasy sandbox that you, RedState, and Jim DeMint play in? http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20131010/NEWS/310100038/Area-GOP-lawmakers-say-budget-talks-productive

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WAB October 10, 2013 at 5:51 pm

I read that earlier today too. Word of thowing in the towel hasn’t filter on to Mulvaney’s facebook yet. Posts still being written to hold the line, defund obamacare, don’t cave- we’re proud of you…wonder how the more fanatical ones are going to feel when they find out.

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? October 10, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Fell for the whole thing, hook, line and sinker eh?

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9" October 10, 2013 at 6:21 pm

The government shutdown was in the works since,Obama was reelected: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25976845@N06/10159078273/

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Frank Pytel October 11, 2013 at 3:52 am

Yep. The free masons are hiding the ark of the covenant.

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nitrat October 10, 2013 at 6:25 pm

The “Kochs” may have “not taken a position on the legislative tactic of tying the (budget) resolution to defunding Obamacare nor have we lobbied on legislative provisions defunding Obamacare”, but how about the myriad of front groups whose names change from state to state and disappear when new groups appear that they sponsor?
If they are telling the truth, which is counter to their ends-justify-means ‘ethics’, they must be astounded at the idiocy of the candidates they have thrown into the Congress.

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Boz Martin October 10, 2013 at 6:54 pm

They’re TURDS. They always have been. They have never been on the right side of anything, because they taint whatever they back, and they can’t be on the right side because they just ain’t right. Anybody who is surprised by this shit is a fucking idiot. They are only in it for themselves.

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9" October 10, 2013 at 7:04 pm

“Let’s not kid ourselves. This shutdown was planned by the Koch brothers from the day after Obama was re-elected”

Bernie Sanders

The Koch Brothers are the real power behind the government shutdown.

“The point that Sen. Sanders made can’t be expressed often enough. The real ideology and agenda behind the government shutdown belongs to the Koch brothers. The Koch boys hate Obamacare because they don’t want the working and middle class people to have the same access to healthcare that they do. They are opposed to anything that empowers working class individuals, because they are seeking a new Gilded Age where the employer controls the lives of their employees.

Sen. Sanders is one of the few members of congress that is willing to stand up and tell the Koch brothers no. Bernie Sanders is also doing something that is very important. He is pulling back the curtain and showing America who is really running the Republican show.

At heart, the Koch brothers are cowards who hide behind Citizens United in order to anonymously advance their agenda. A senator like Bernie Sanders scares the Koch Brothers. He ignores their money and rallies the masses to join the fight. If the American people are ever going to get their government back from the conservative money men, they are going to have to send more people like Bernie Sanders to the House and Senate.”

Politicus

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Frank Pytel October 11, 2013 at 3:51 am

Good.

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Gregory Geddings October 11, 2013 at 8:09 am

Bernie Sanders is a man of character and principle…one of the few champions of the working man and the middle class in federal government.
Check out this video that has Republicans up in arms…http://www.moveon.org/share/72e232/hollywood-legend-ed-asner-has-outraged-republicans?rc=share-878c8d

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Guest October 10, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Fits: you have no editorial consistency or credibility.

This site is a turd.

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I'm with stupid October 11, 2013 at 9:00 am

Yet your post and clicks just put money in his pocket.

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JJ October 10, 2013 at 9:30 pm

She’s not a Tea Party Governor. She may have ran on those ideals, but she is very obviously not so. Thus, your potential affiliation w/ the Kochs is still possible.

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Frank Pytel October 11, 2013 at 3:50 am

Apples are red skinned and have meat. Peaches can have white meat and the skin is reddish. Ergo….

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MashPotato October 10, 2013 at 10:48 pm

I come to FITSNews because it’s the most independent & common sense news source I’ve found.

Sure, there will be journalistic and philosophical overlap with other organizations. That’s because we live in the information age. Information is shared rapidly and available worldwide. How soon we forget how valuable a gift this is.

I know I won’t read a bunch of regurgitated canned news here. I get original commentary on relevant and/or fun topics. If you still think FITS is in cahoots with some billionaires or a political party who have militarized their operations for maximum power and influence, your cheese has slid off its cracker.

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Gregory Geddings October 11, 2013 at 8:03 am

Now…pinch yourself to see if you’re awake or if it’s all a dream…

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