Koch Brothers Exposed

The Koch Brothers, The Cato Institute, And Why Nations Fail

baselinescenario.com — A dispute has broken out between the Cato Institute, a leading libertarian think tank, and two of its longtime backers – David and Charles Koch. The institute is not the usual form of nonprofit but actually a company with shares; the Koch brothers own two of the four shares and are arguing that they have the right to acquire additional shares and thus presumably exert more control. The institute and some of its senior staff are pushing back. According to Edward H. Crane, the president and co-founder of Cato, “This is an effort by the Kochs to turn the Cato Institute into some sort of auxiliary for the G.O.P.” Bob Levy, chairman of the Cato board, told The Washington Post: “We would take closer marching orders. That’s totally contrary to what we perceive the function of Cato be.” Far from being just an unseemly row between prominent personalities on the right, this showdown reflects a much deeper set of concerns for American politics and society.

more »


Mary Bottari's picture

On Anniversary of Prank Call the Real David Koch Wants to "Stop Union Power" in Wisconsin

One year ago this week, blogger Ian Murphy of the Buffalo Beast pranked Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker by posing as billionaire David Koch on a phone call. more »

More »»


Richard Eskow's picture

Social Security: A Tale of Two Mitties

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the year of protecting Social Security, and the year of cutting Social Security. It was the age of defending Medicare, and the age of ending Medicare. more »

More »»


Leo Gerard's picture

Traditional Voting Fails; Alternative Works

Voting doesn’t work anymore. If it did, Americans would get what they want -- or at least some of it -- from Washington.

But they don’t. more »

More »»


Isaiah J. Poole's picture

Occupy The Koch Brothers—And Stop The American Nightmare

The very name of a Washington conservative conference this weekend is the height of subterfuge. more »

More »»


Dave Johnson's picture

Koch And Native-American Reservation Oil Theft

Just what is this Koch Industries? Should it be called a "company?" If so we need to re-think the idea of what a company and a business is supposed to be. Even the brother of Koch Industries owners David and Charles Koch called the company an "organized crime" operation. more »

More »»