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Why Koch Industries Is Speaking Out (MUST READ from Charles Koch)
wsj ^ | 3/1/2011 | Charles Koch

Posted on 03/01/2011 6:30:21 AM PST by milwguy

Crony capitalism and bloated government prevent entrepreneurs from producing the products and services that make people's lives better.

Years of tremendous overspending by federal, state and local governments have brought us face-to-face with an economic crisis. Federal spending will total at least $3.8 trillion this year—double what it was 10 years ago. And unlike in 2001, when there was a small federal surplus, this year's projected budget deficit is more than $1.6 trillion.

Several trillions more in debt have been accumulated by state and local governments. States are looking at a combined total of more than $130 billion in budget shortfalls this year. Next year, they will be in even worse shape as most so-called stimulus payments end.

For many years, I, my family and our company have contributed to a variety of intellectual and political causes working to solve these problems. Because of our activism, we've been vilified by various groups. Despite this criticism, we're determined to keep contributing and standing up for those politicians, like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who are taking these challenges seriously.

Both Democrats and Republicans have done a poor job of managing our finances. They've raised debt ceilings, floated bond issues, and delayed tough decisions.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: charleskoch; koch; kochindustries; unions; walker; wisconsin; wisconsinshowdown
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Economics of the classic liberal and Austrian variety. History has proven economic FREEDOM creates prosperity and the more gov't becomes involved, the less economic freedom there is............I love the way Koch ends his editorial, it is a truth that our political class would do well to learn............................."Our elected officials would do well to remember that the most prosperous countries are those that allow consumers—not governments—to direct the use of resources. Allowing the government to pick winners and losers hurts almost everyone, especially our poorest citizens."

Recent studies show that the poorest 10% of the population living in countries with the greatest economic freedom have 10 times the per capita income of the poorest citizens in countries with the least economic freedom. In other words, society as a whole benefits from greater economic freedom.

1 posted on 03/01/2011 6:30:27 AM PST by milwguy
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To: milwguy

A well reasoned editorial by Mr. Koch. Of course, that means it will be totally ineffective with mush-headed feeling (vs thinking) foaming-at-the-mouth libdims. Sigh.


2 posted on 03/01/2011 6:35:28 AM PST by piytar (Obastard is a use of the term "bastard" in the literal sense -- Obama is hiding his daddy's identity)
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To: milwguy
History has proven economic FREEDOM creates prosperity...
...and creates an environment in which all the other freedoms are respected.

It is no accident that the spread of socialism in Europe, Canada and the USA has led to significant restrictions of Freedom of Speech and Religion in all those places.

3 posted on 03/01/2011 6:37:35 AM PST by samtheman
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To: milwguy

Good article, thanks for sharing.
Perhaps Mr. Koch will consider running for President.


4 posted on 03/01/2011 6:39:13 AM PST by KEmom (Proud to be a Mama Grizzly!!!)
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To: KEmom

Please run for President Mr. Koch and spare us Huckabee, Romney and Newt from running. Either pick Walker, Christie or Palin for your VP.


5 posted on 03/01/2011 6:44:29 AM PST by bluerose (Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm! Rush Hudson Limbaugh)
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To: milwguy

The long and short of it is that the Koch brothers have spent their lifetimes building a multi-billion dollar business while the union leaders and politicians have spent their lifetimes hindering people like the Kochs from being successes.


6 posted on 03/01/2011 6:45:03 AM PST by K-Stater
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To: piytar

“that means it will be totally ineffective with mush-headed feeling (vs thinking) foaming-at-the-mouth libdims. Sigh”

I totally disagree with you! When I look at our low-brow elected officials, and the uneducated morons coming out of our schools...ignorance and stupidity on every hand, I wonder if we have any men of principle and courage to direct our nation.
The Koch’s give me great encouragement and hope, and I’m sure many, many more real Americans. MSM and the liberals be damned.


7 posted on 03/01/2011 6:46:09 AM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the gods would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: KEmom; bluerose

Why would Charles Koch debase himself by getting into electoral politics?


8 posted on 03/01/2011 6:46:47 AM PST by K-Stater
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To: milwguy

Magnificent. He completely explains why Obama’s “economic plan” of helping big multinational corporations has not translated into jobs at home, despite how much he has spent. Crony capitalism helps only established companies; but they aren’t the job creators. Obama continues to appoint one big biz crony after another to his economic team, etc. And then asks them how to create jobs in the private sector; without understanding that they will give no quarter, no support to giving young upstart companies an inch. And the dumbass that he is, Obama accepts this as pure gospel and wonders why the masses don’t cheer him.

Thanks for posting it.


9 posted on 03/01/2011 6:51:05 AM PST by Daisyjane69 (Michael Reagan: "Welcome back, Dad, even if you're wearing a dress and bearing children this time)
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To: milwguy

In my life time the republicans have spent just as much time supporting crony capitalism as have the democrats. Just look at the toll roads and you will see cronyism on full display. The damn government picking winners and losers and taking their graft. Now here comes the damn bullet trains. Just damn.


10 posted on 03/01/2011 6:51:33 AM PST by org.whodat
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To: milwguy

When it comes to economic freedom of the internet, we are seeing the same thing with Google. They have changed their policies to the extent that they are killing business. Google is a liberal organization that backs the White House. We need something different than Google. Something that works for business, not against them. Many, many companies have fallen of the ends of the earth because of Google.


11 posted on 03/01/2011 6:54:38 AM PST by RC2
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To: org.whodat

I agree with you completely. Republicans are almost as much at fault as Democrats. Koch sees in Christie and Walker a new breed of politician who wants to limit gov’t and get them out of the way of private enterprise. It is the only solution to our economic woes.

Koch’s experience with refineries and ethanol is the perfect example. Gov’t is killing our refineries with EPA over regulation while in the meantime MANDATING ethanol use which harms the environment and causes food prices to rise. Crony capitalism at its worst.


12 posted on 03/01/2011 6:54:58 AM PST by milwguy
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To: org.whodat

Our government has become a national spoils system, driven by the seniority of members of congress. We expect our reps to bring home the bacon because that’s their view of the job.


13 posted on 03/01/2011 6:57:44 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Go Hawks !)
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To: K-Stater

I am just impressed all over the place that with the regulatory climate in this country, these men have done so much!

I also don’t understand why people who have “social concerns” don’t see what GOOD the Kochs have done for so many — jobs, for God’s sake, livelihoods for families. If the socialists care so much about the “little guy,” can’t they see that the Kochs have done more just by raising everyone up with them?


14 posted on 03/01/2011 6:58:17 AM PST by Judith Anne (Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.)
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To: milwguy
Eisenhower warned about the Military-Industrial Complex back in the 1950's. Many people assumed that this was all about the Pentagon and the Defense Contractors. In fact, it was simply a warning about crony capitalism. In the 1950's a big chunk of government spending was on Defense, but as LBJ gave us the Great Society and other politicians (of both parties) grew government entitlements more and more, we see an increasing role for Crony Capitalism.

Limited government is good for many reasons. As government gets bigger, it becomes a system of rewards for friends and family. This has been true since forever. Now, with $3T budgets, the looting is massive.

Shut it down. Shut it all down.

15 posted on 03/01/2011 6:58:22 AM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: milwguy

At least Charles Koch has the manhood to come right out and speak his mind unlike Soros who sneaks around paying others to speak for him.


16 posted on 03/01/2011 7:01:54 AM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: milwguy

BTTT


17 posted on 03/01/2011 7:02:11 AM PST by Constitution Day
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To: milwguy

save for later reading


18 posted on 03/01/2011 7:12:24 AM PST by submarinerswife (Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results~Einstein)
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To: milwguy

You look at that half ass frank lautinburg, he ask the head of dot how much would safety be helped if the trucking industry had to use electronic logs, quail comm paid him millions, the answer was minimal in any. He stuck it in the transportation bill. Electronic logs from quail comm, they have no competitor. Just screwing people no one else would screw that is old diapers frank from NJ.


19 posted on 03/01/2011 7:15:58 AM PST by org.whodat
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To: milwguy
But..but..but..but...Koch Industries has opened a lobbying office in Madison.

The Loons

20 posted on 03/01/2011 7:17:19 AM PST by Loyal Buckeye
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