Koch Responds To Buffet: ‘My Business And Non-Profit Investments Are Much More Beneficial To Society

[deminks]

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/20/300236/koch-vs-buffett/

America’s current tax system forces people making $50,000 a year to pay a higher rate than hedge fund managers making $2.4 million an hour. Warren Buffett penned an op-ed last week declaring that America’s super-rich have been “coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress.” Lamenting the numerous tax loopholes and special breaks afforded to billionaire investors, Buffett noted that in his entire career, even when capital gains rates were as high as 39.9 percent, he never saw anyone “shy away from a sensible investment because of the tax rate on the potential gain.”

Charles Koch, head of the massive petrochemical, manufacturing, and commodity speculating Koch Industries corporation, has responded to Warren’s call for shared sacrifice: “No Thanks.” In a statement to right-wing media, Koch states:

Much of what the government spends money on does more harm than good; this is particularly true over the past several years with the massive uncontrolled increase in government spending. I believe my business and non-profit investments are much more beneficial to societal well-being than sending more money to Washington.

Koch’s “non-profit investments” include the group founded by his brother David, “Americans for Prosperity” (formerly known as Citizens for a Sound Economy). As ThinkProgress first reported, AFP was one the first and most well-resourced drivers of the anti-Obama so-called “Tea Party” movement. Koch-funded Tea Party events have featured speakers comparing health reform to the Holocaust, and in some cases have sponsored rallies with leaders of the “birther” conspiracy theory.

(end snip)

Yeah, that birther thing was vastly more beneficial than say, oh I don't know, heating oil for the elderly? /sarcasm off.

[proud patriot]

1. king koch has spoken

[izquierdista]

2. Got to give him partial credit

The money the government spends on the Defense Department is doing a lot more harm than good; I'd like to see that cut back 80%.

[Hydra]

3. Buffet is smarter than the Kochs

Big surprise, huh? The Kochs are probably looking forward to a winner take all 3rd world country, where they stand at the top.

The problem is that the air quality sucks and the rest of the world passes you by.

[MrMickeysMom]

4. Fuck you, Charlie...

You wouldn't recognize society if it parked it's collective bicycle between your fat-cat asscheeks!

[patrice]

5. Your Highness, the WARS that you and ChurchCoC have supported do more good than harm?

wow.

Increases in government spending have a lot to do with the WARS being brought on budget, instead of lying about it all for eight years.

[tsuki]

6. Tell that to the parents of 17 year olds, Danielle Smalley and Jason

Stone, of Kemp, Texas.

[onethatcares]

7. "he believes"

I believe he a fucking asshole of the nth degree. maybe he should point out otherwise instead of relying on his beliefs.

[otohara]

8. High Society

greedy asshole

[geckosfeet]

9. The problem with having an outsized ego and tons o'cash is you think you are right no matter what.

I mean, you're rich, powerful, so of course you're right. And you have the midas touch. And you crap golden eggs. And on and on. As the world crumbles around you. You continue to be right. Until they drag you from the car you are escaping in and hang you from a lamp post.

[fascisthunter]

10. a fascist society which you oppress with your wealth and power?

you are the definition of a loser... born on third base and acting like you hit a grand slam. A perfect example of money going to someone's head.

[hifiguy]

11. Pure, triple-distilled evil

There is one proper place for Koch and his ilk:



I'd pull the rope myself without the slightest twinge of conscience.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. Charles Koch is delusional.

[OHdem10]

13. Undermining Democracy is a real service to this country.

[EC]

14. But he gets to chose who benefits and who doesn't.

Government agencies are non-discriminatory, that's what they don't like. They need to be able to direct their money for their ideals and agenda's only, that's why they don't want social programs to begin with.

[midnight]

15. Just ask the people on the Gulf coast how beneficial the petroleum

industry that the koch roaches dabble in benefits them and their families.

[deminks]

16. kick for the morning

[RedRocco]

17. actually I kind of agree with this statement

"Much of what the government spends money on does more harm than good; this is particularly true over the past several years with the massive uncontrolled increase in government spending."

at least in regards to bailing out wall street and the forever war, though I'm sure he is fine with THAT particular government spending...