Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Charles Koch Is Sick Of 'Collectivists' Calling Him 'Un-American'

Charles Koch has apparently had enough of "collectivists" criticizing his "un-American" ways.
In an opinion piece published online Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal, the billionaire backer of conservative candidates and causes came to his own defense, claiming he only seeks to uphold the principles of "dignity, respect, equality before the law and personal freedom," which he said he believes "are under attack by the nation's own government." He defined collectivists as "those who stand for government control of the means of production and how people live their lives."

Koch and his brother, David Koch, are under increasing attack by Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and others have taken to the Senate floor and other platforms to accuse the brothers of trying to "buy America."
Koch claimed his critics "strive to discredit and intimidate opponents."
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."
...
Far from trying to rig the system, I have spent decades opposing cronyism and all political favors, including mandates, subsidies and protective tariffs -- even when we benefit from them. I believe that cronyism is nothing more than welfare for the rich and powerful, and should be abolished.
The Koch brothers have backed multi-million dollar attack blitzes slamming Democratic candidates and President Barack Obama's signature health care legislation. In the wake of Reid's recent criticism, the brothers are funding a group in Nevada to run attack ads against the Senate majority leader.
Reid and his backers show no signs of retreat.
"There have been times in my life I've been a little afraid," Reid said Tuesday on the Senate floor. "But I'm not afraid of them."
Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.com/
Author:  The Huffington Post  | by  Ashley Alman

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