I have read several times various
attacks against the Koch brothers, mostly coming from the left, and sometimes
coming from the libertarians too. Like the controversy in Cato Institute a
few years ago. Charles Koch, Chairman of the Koch Industries, wrote a rebuttal
to his critics yesterday. The article was reposted with comments in townhall, and hockeyschtick blog.
I
have devoted most of my life to understanding the principles that enable people
to improve their lives. It is those principles—the principles of a free
society—that have shaped my life, my family, our company and America itself.
Unfortunately,
the fundamental concepts of dignity, respect, equality before the law and
personal freedom are under attack by the nation's own government. That's why,
if we want to restore a free society and create greater well-being and
opportunity for all Americans, we have no choice but to fight for those
principles. I have been doing so for more than 50 years, primarily through
educational efforts. It was only in the past decade that I realized the need to
also engage in the political process.
A
truly free society is based on a vision of respect for people and what they
value. In a truly free society, any business that disrespects its customers
will fail, and deserves to do so. The same should be true of any government
that disrespects its citizens. The central belief and fatal conceit of the
current administration is that you are incapable of running your own life, but
those in power are capable of running it for you. This is the essence of big
government and collectivism.
Instead
of encouraging free and open debate, collectivists strive to discredit and
intimidate opponents. They engage in character assassination. (I should know,
as the almost daily target of their attacks.) This is the approach that Arthur
Schopenhauer described in the 19th century, that Saul Alinsky famously
advocated in the 20th, and that so many despots have infamously practiced. Such
tactics are the antithesis of what is required for a free society—and a
telltale sign that the collectivists do not have good answers.
Rather
than try to understand my vision for a free society or accurately report the
facts about Koch Industries, our critics would have you believe we're
"un-American" and trying to "rig the system," that we're
against "environmental protection" or eager to "end workplace
safety standards." These falsehoods remind me of the late Sen. Daniel
Patrick Moynihan's observation, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion,
but not to his own facts." Here are some facts about my philosophy and our
company:
Koch
companies employ 60,000 Americans, who make many thousands of products that
Americans want and need. According to government figures, our employees and the
143,000 additional American jobs they support generate nearly $11.7 billion in
compensation and benefits. About one-third of our U.S.-based employees are
union members….
Koch
Industries was the only major producer in the ethanol industry to argue for the
demise of the ethanol tax credit in 2011. That government handout (which cost
taxpayers billions) needlessly drove up food and fuel prices as well as other
costs for consumers—many of whom were poor or otherwise disadvantaged. Now the
mandate needs to go, so that consumers and the marketplace are the ones who
decide the future of ethanol.
Instead
of fostering a system that enables people to help themselves, America is now saddled
with a system that destroys value, raises costs, hinders innovation and
relegates millions of citizens to a life of poverty, dependency and
hopelessness. This is what happens when elected officials believe that people's
lives are better run by politicians and regulators than by the people
themselves. Those in power fail to see that more government means less liberty,
and liberty is the essence of what it means to be American. Love of liberty is
the American ideal.
If
more businesses (and elected officials) were to embrace a vision of creating
real value for people in a principled way, our nation would be far better
off—not just today, but for generations to come. I'm dedicated to fighting for
that vision. I'm convinced most Americans believe it's worth fighting for, too.
------------
See also::
Inequality 13: Nomad Billionaire, Burger King and Pretty Women, July 17, 2012
Inequality 14: 99 Percent to Support the 1 Percent, October 20, 2012
Inequality 15: SM, Henry Sy and Class Envy, October 20, 2013
Inequality 16: Inclusive Growth and Central Planning, October 21, 2013
The Pope and Capitalism, December 03, 2013
Are Markets Moral?, January 05, 2014
Globalization, Mobility and Inequality, February 18, 2014
