Saturday June 14, 2025
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Progressives Should Look in the Mirror Before Criticizing the Koch Brothers

Progressives Should Look in the Mirror Before Criticizing the Koch Brothers

Pierre-Guy Veer by Pierre-Guy Veer
April 24, 2014
in Canada, Free Speech, Ideology, North America, Opinion, Politics, United States
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp

EspañolWith election season just around the corner, progressives seem to be looking for scapegoats. The main target they’ve locked on these days is the Koch brothers. From having a vast network of “dark money” to preventing the country from having better transit and funding “deniers” of climate change, the Kochs are painted as the new Antichrist who seek to ruin the United States.

However true or false this depiction may be, such a portrait is another classic tale of the splinter and the log.

RelatedArticles

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

November 28, 2024

When it comes to campaign donations, those made by Democrat-supported unions far exceed those of the brothers. From 1989 to 2014, labor groups like the SEIU, UAW, and AFL-CIO accounted for 55 percent of all campaign contributions. The Democratic PAC Act Blue, has been the single most prolific campaign funder of the past 25 years at US$100 million — even though it came to be only 10 years ago.

Koch Industries has had its fair share of campaign contributions. $18 million since 1989, to be specific, most of which went to Republican causes. That makes the company the 59th largest donor, far behind the six largest unions that gave 15 times that amount. Even when one includes all of the indirect donations the Kochs have made through nonprofits like Americans for Prosperity, their weight is essentially equal to unions — having spent $407 million until the 2012 elections versus unions’ $400 million. Seemingly unsatisfied with being proved wrong, some progressives have toned down these numbers by claiming that one Koch has more influence than 2000 union members.

Regardless, it’s a faulty comparison to liken the political donations of a private company and two private individuals to that of unions consisting of thousands of workers. To start with, most unions have compulsory membership, meaning if an employee wants to work, he or she has to pay collective bargaining dues. Unless workers live in a right-to-work state where they can opt-out of paying dues completely, they barely have a say on how their dues are used — including which politicians they support.

This undemocratic practice is painfully obvious in the Canadian province of Quebec, where close to 40 percent of the labor force is unionized. Not only are unions vehemently opposed to disclosing their financial statements, they have openly given money to student rioters to oust the unfriendly Liberal government and support the Parti Quebecois’ secessionist cause.

Returning to the United States, progressives will conveniently forget that their side also has its share of dark money lobbying for their cause. A great deal of Democratic campaign money can be traced to George Soros, their most cherished treasurer. Through his Open Society Institute, the billionaire has given several million to block George W. Bush’s judicial nominations, campaign against Republican congressional campaigns, and oppose Social Security reforms.

Soros also has ties with prominent media outlets like ABC, NBC, and the New York Times. If the Kochs had the same connections, many media elites would have doubtlessly complained about conflicts of interest. But when dark money is on their side, they present a very skewed view of the world.

In short, progressives should look in the mirror before attacking the Koch brothers. They too have an agenda they want to push, just like the oilmen. The beauty about the US system is that political contributions allow both sides to exercise their free speech and try to convince the electorate.

Tags: Americans for Prosperitykoch brothers
Pierre-Guy Veer

Pierre-Guy Veer

Pierre-Guy Veer is a freelancing journalist originally from Quebec City, Canada. He writes both in French and in English. Follow @le_moutongris.

Related Posts

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting
Ideology

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving
Culture

The silence of the Democrats will be the main course on Thanksgiving

November 28, 2024
These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela
Elections

These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela

November 27, 2024
Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay
Elections

Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay

November 24, 2024
Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?
Argentina

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

November 20, 2024
"The people must come to an agreement," said Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding the outcome of the elections in Venezuela, ignoring the fact that Venezuelans had already expressed themselves at the polls. (File photo)
Colombia

Petro Calls Venezuelan Elections a “Mistake”: What Lies Ahead for Colombia?

November 19, 2024
Next Post
“Politics of Walls” Barbarism and the End of History That Never Was

"Politics of Walls" Barbarism and the End of History That Never Was

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.