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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBillionaire Republican donor Charles Koch likens Donald Trump's Muslim ban to Adolf Hitler's policie
Influential industrialist says travel restrictions 'wrong approach' for 'free and open societies
Charles Koch first likened candidate Donald Trump's plan to ban Muslim immigrants to something Adolf Hitler would have done in Nazi Germany.
The billionaire industrialist and his chief lieutenants offered a more delicate response this weekend when asked about President Trump's plan to block immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. They described Trump's plan as the wrong approach that violated its dedication to free and open societies.
The criticism comes as the Koch network, among the most powerful conservative groups in the nation, works to strike a delicate balance in the early days of the new administration. The Kochs refused to support Trump's candidacy last fall, but they now see a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress.
For all of it go here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-muslim-travel-ban-billionaire-republican-donor-charles-koch-likens-policy-to-adolf-a7552531.html
nycbos
(6,038 posts)First Speaker
(4,858 posts)...and some of them are good ones. I've always felt that Libertarianism-with-a-capital-L is just another power-fucking ideology, and Libertarians are useful idiots for plutocracy. But libertarianism-with-a-small-l is, should be, what America is about. Koch might become an ally in the Trump era, the same way Stalin was in the Hitler era...
NewJeffCT
(56,829 posts)they did spend a ton of money on House and Senate races and that' helped Toomey win in PA and probably several House candidates as well. It probably contributed to Feingold losing as well.
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)They are just worried that if Trump continues to do what he is doing, that there will be a progressive liberal uprising and all the Koch brothers funded Republicans will be votes out.
And, I am glad for that.
flamingdem
(39,321 posts)so anything they say is about increasing their own power and wealth.
They like to do a few things to make themselves look better but they are scum.
fleur-de-lisa
(14,628 posts)2naSalit
(86,777 posts)CYA mode at the moment. I noticed the timing when they said they wouldn't back the dumpster fire but they also shut up. I think that's when they found out what we now know, that Putin had the election plan to throw it to cheato... now, they are only interested in staying under the radar as they quickly get everything they wanted in ownership of the country.
Makes me wonder which stocks took a dive today.
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)This is because they know that the GOP is in big trouble in 2018 thanks to Trump. The Kochs have a vast political intelligence network that rivals either political party and they must have some indication that there is something happening among the Republican base. And, they are worried as hell about that.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)If he takes over the Democratic Party, we're in trouble.
Initech
(100,102 posts)Greybnk48
(10,176 posts)A group of racist white nationalists that their father co-founded? That's news to me.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)Even you can be right some times..
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)Many former network staffers that are in the White House now remain good friends of ours. So we're in constant contact with them, said Koch spokesman James Davis. Conversations have been open and continue to be.
There is perhaps no bigger Koch ally than Vice President Mike Pence, whose staff and ideology has been in close alignment with the Kochs for years.
Charles Koch spoke directly with the vice president on the phone days before his inauguration as Pence considered hiring a Koch communications staffer, Stephen Ford, to serve as his chief speechwriter. Ford was soon hired, along with former Koch chief Marc Short, who now serves as the White House legislative director.
The reason we're optimistic... is really Mike Pence, said Doug Deason, a prominent Trump supporter and major Koch donor. If you think Cheney had power in Bush White House, just watch and see what happens with Mike Pence.
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)You feel that strongly about it, do something. This is largely your fault, Koch. This is what happens when you fund years of right wing political activity.
Schema Thing
(10,283 posts)JHB
(37,162 posts)He'd never be where he is without you, Charles.