Koch Industries Slashed WI Jobs, Helped Elect Scott Walker, Now Orchestrating Pro-Walker

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Koch Industries Slashed WI Jobs, Helped Elect Scott Walker, Now Orchestrating Pro-Walker Protest

Wisconsin’s newly elected Republican Gov. Scott Walker is facing a growing backlash over his attempt to cut pay and eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in his state. Although Walker is claiming his power grab is an attempt to close a budget gap, the budget “crisis” was engineered by Walker as soon as he got into office. As Brian Beutler reported, half of the budget shortfall comes from Walker’s own tax cuts for businesses and other business giveaways enacted in January.

A number of the big business interests standing with Walker are beneficiaries of his administration’s tax giveaways. But the greatest ally to Walker is the dirty energy company Koch Industries. In response to the growing protests in Madison, Koch fronts are busing in Tea Party protesters to support Walker and his union-busting campaign. Last night, MSNBC’s Ed Schultz reported on the involvement of Club for Growth and the Koch-financed Americans for Prosperity in the pro-Walker protest scheduled tomorrow.

Watch it: http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/18/business-teaparty-wisconsin/

Koch Industries is a major player in Wisconsin: Koch owns a coal company subsidiary with facilities in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Ashland and Sheboygan; six timber plants throughout the state; and a large network of pipelines in Wisconsin. While Koch controls much of the infrastructure in the state, they have laid off workers to boost profits. At a time when Koch Industries owners David and Charles Koch awarded themselves an extra $11 billion of income from the company, Koch slashed jobs at their Green Bay plant:

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Update: Koch's Americans for Prosperity group has launched a new website and petition called www.standwithwalker.com. The new site attacks all collective bargaining, not just for public sector unions. Koch's front group also declares: "In fact, every state should adopt Governor Scott Walker's common sense reforms."

[northoftheborder]

1. Thanks for this inside look at the shenanigins.

[Octafish]

2. bobthedrummer reported Koch brother ops helped defeat Russ Feingold.

American Action Network.

[Dr Fate]

6. And then Obama rewarded them with ENORMOUS tax breaks.

So now they have even MORE cash to spread around.

These centrist chess playing moves are getting interesting.

[PA Democrat]

3. Those filthy Koch brothers have their fat greedy fingers in everything don't they?

[Dr Fate]

8. Filthy? Centrists think they are stewards of our economy. That's why they got such huge tax-breaks.

Doncha know? they are going to create jobs and trickle down on us and all kinds of great things.

Blue Dog DEMS told me so, and Obama's final actions seem to show that he agrees.

[Dr Fate]

4. Is this the same Koch Brothers that Obama extended tax cuts to?

In the amount of millions of dollars, no less?

So let me get this straight- Obama signs a bill giving the Koch Brothers a portion of the US treasury. Not just more money than anyone on DU will ever see via tax breaks, but in larger proportions compared to their wealth. Thanks in no part to this Obama/Blue Dog/GOP generosity, the same Koch Brothers have plenty left over in their budget to use that money to campaign against Liberals.

Let me guess- soon enough I'll be getting emails from the DCCC, warning me that I have to donate in order to balance out what "the Koch Brothers" are pouring into campaigns?

Is this part of some grand "centrist" chess game or something?

[AndyTiedye]

10. It Was That or Everybody's Taxes Go Up

What part of "we don't have the votes" don't you understand?

[upi402]

5. Their media is all over it already

even MSNBC is smearing and lying - allowing propaganda mouthpieces a soapbox. aaargh

[LiberalEsto]

7. Damned Kochsuckers

Now there's a pair who need to be majorly taxed. For a change.

[Dr Fate]

9. Keep your powder dry. Right now we are rewarding the Kochs with tax breaks.

Someday we will make them pay their fair share, but if that is to happen, first I need you to make a donation to the DEMS.

We need this donation to counter the tax-break money the Koch brothers are giving to the GOP.

Once you give the DEMS money to counter the Koch Bros. money that the DEMS you give money to gave them, then the circle will be complete.

[Initech]

11. Man they are making Mr. Burns seem slightly less evil by comparison.