In Upcoming Election, It's Not About Political Parties, but the Koch Agenda
11.01.21.
The Koch network, helmed by billionaire baron Charles Koch, has woven itself into the fabric of our democracy, one politician at a time. While many might assume some form of conservative or neo-liberatrian allegiance, at the end of the day, it is less about partisan politics, and more about which pay-for-play politicians will help line the pockets, pad the bottom line, and advance the agenda of the Koch network. It’s time to say, No More Koch Cash.
We’ve seen what happens when Koch network money supports legislators, both on a federal and state level. We witnessed this with the insurrection on January 6th, where rioters were organized by Koch network-funded groups (including the Rule of Law Defense Fund, Turning Point Action, and Tea Party Patriots) and spurred on by 13 Koch-funded politicians who had vocally refused to confirm President Biden. We’ve seen how Arizona schools are struggling, the state government spending so little per pupil, while their teachers are some of the lowest paid in the country, thanks to a Koch-funded governor who has expanded voucher systems while cutting public school budgets.
Koch-backed groups may very well be pushing for the GOP candidate in the governor’s race in Virginia, but they also backed Democratic Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, who’s gone on record with political ideals in line with the Koch’s larger agenda. It is not about strict party lines, but about which politicians will push for a future rife with deregulation and privatization, no matter the cost to our communities and planet.
The Koch family’s wealth and legacy were built upon extractive corporate power and white supremacy, and not much has changed despite carefully crafted sound bites, press tours, and recent books promising change. It has all been lip service, as the actions surrounding the Koch network show time and time again that they place profit over people, and their private benefit over that of the common good.