David Koch gave MIT $20 million for child care facility because “I got a tear in my eye”

[jsr]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/10/09/david-koch-weeps-for-researchers-need-day-care-not-for-citizens-need-health-care/OGHPNHQsS7tEHN4i6b3XHK/story.html

...At MIT, his alma mater, he has given $150 million for research and faculty positions. Now comes an extra $20 million for the child care facility. “I got a tear in my eye,” he said, when he heard biology researchers at MIT say that child care would improve their work lives.

But there are no tears when it comes to citizens and causes that don’t make it to the Koch priority list. Indeed, with very dry eyes, David Koch and his brother have long been pouring their fortunes into efforts to reduce government — which often translates into reducing government-sponsored programs that help the most vulnerable.

Back in 1980, when David Koch ran as the vice-presidential candidate on the Libertarian ticket, he embraced a platform that called for abolishing Social Security, welfare, and minimum-wage laws. Now, he simply puts his money where his ideology is.

A decade ago, according to The National Journal, David Koch provided start-up money for Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group that played a key role in helping to organize the Tea Party movement. More recently, The New York Times reported, a group linked to the Koch brothers — Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce — disbursed $200 million to nonprofit organizations devoted to defunding Obamacare. According to the Times, $5 million of that was given to Generation Opportunity, producers of an Internet ad showing a creepy Uncle Sam springing up during a gynecological exam. The ad’s mission was to instill fear of government intrusion in private health matters, with an ultimate goal to discourage people from signing up for health care.

[kelliekat44]

1. To bad it wasn't for child care to some neighborhood rural or inner city area that really needed it.

MIT needs 20 million for childcare while they are rolling in cash from wealthy alumni? Maybe the 20 million should have gone for tuition for some really smart, needy students?

[King_Klonopin]

2. Oh, Davey doesn't "help" the poor -- he EATS them.

Remember, "fuck the poor" is a major plank in their platform.

[dorkzilla]

3. I love that all their money doesn't seem to be doing exactly what they want.

It is a satsfying feeling to know that, though they may have mucked things up gnenerally, and certainly got the backing of many a moron in the US, it's looking increasingly like they would have been as well served by flushing their money down the toilet.

Here's hoping for the continued depletion of the Koch fortunes. May their wealth be small enough to drown in a bathtub!