david koch questions

David Koch Questions:

1.  How did the Koch brothers describe their political goals and how did they participate politically? The brothers started off funding and founding the Libertarian organizations, which David Koch actually ran for Vice President of the Libertarian party in 1980. However, in recent years have switched to support for the Republicans. They started off supporting “liberty” or “economic freedom” and they focused thousands of dollars on academia. Then, the focus shifted to protect their oil refinery company and preventing environmental laws, and after the 2008 Obama election, the Koch brothers spent up to $400 million to support Republican candidates.

2. How did the Koch family become wealthy? The brothers were born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Their dad ran an oil refinery company, but his health started to fade in the 1960s. As a result, Charles took on more responsibilities in the company and eventually took over after their dad's death in 1967. Charles worked this company into the mega company it is now and earned David and himself lots of money in the process.

3. How did David Koch first become involved in politics? The Kochs got interested in funding Libertarian organizations, and David got so involved that he was on the 1980 ballot for the office of Vice President of the Libertarian party. He only got 1% of the vote. The Kochs shifted focus to academics to be able to future sway legislatures to rule against government and environmental restrictions (this would benefit their company).

4. Why did the Koch's escalate their political efforts when Obama became president? Obama's plan to increase government spending for healthcare, regulate business, and place environmental restrictions on companies went against everything the Kochs had fought to build. They had to get more involved to dissuade people from voting, and making sure those who did vote, never did again.

5. What did the Koch's spend their money on in order to help Republican candidates in elections? The Kochs ensured a Republican win at midterms in 2010 by using a complex web of "dark money groups." The groups paid for ads and organizing that supported Republican candidates. Most of the funding for these groups came from the Koch brothers and other wealthy republicans. President Trump and brothers have clashed, and now the Kochs have to think about spending to remove him from office, while spending to keep Republicans in charge.