Koch Industries tells Oregon employees how to vote or "suffer the consequences"
Kari Chisholm
Koch Industries is the second largest privately-held company in America. The Koch brothers - Charles & David - are among the biggest political donors on the right wing, pledging $60 million to defeat President Obama and $400 million in total right-wing spending this cycle.
Koch Industries recently sent a mailing to all 45,000 employees of their subsidiary, Georgia Pacific, many of whom live in Oregon. The mailing, according to In These Times, included a list of recommended candidates - and this dire warning:
If we elect candidates who want to spend hundreds of billions in borrowed money on costly new subsidies for a few favored cronies, put unprecedented regulatory burdens on businesses, prevent or delay important new construction projects, and excessively hinder free trade, then many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation, and other ills.
The Oregon candidate insert is at right. As In These Times notes, this kind of employee communication is new:
The Koch’s in-house campaigning for the GOP is part of a larger trend of corporations exercising new freedoms under Citizens United. The Supreme Court decision overturned previous FEC laws prohibiting employers from expressing electoral opinions directly to their employees.
There's more from the PCCC, Think Progress, and MSNBC.
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10:31 a.m.
Oct 16, '12
hmmmmmmmmmmm..Unions fine members for not appearing at Romney protests. Unions urge their members to actively support certain politicians and the Democratic Party. hmmm Unions publish written pamphlets informing their members who to vote for.I don't see anything wrong with Unions or employers supporting candidates or political parties. What is good for the goose............
12:49 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
A union is an association of individuals working in unity (hence "union") toward the betterment of their own working conditions. It is NOT a for-profit corporation. The "sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander" line doesn't work in an apples and oranges comparison. Sauce for the goose is NOT sauce for the locomotive.
2:15 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
To be specific, a union is a voluntary association that people join for the precise reason that it helps them build political and bargaining power.
That's not why people work for particular employers.
1:21 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
"Unions fine members for not going to Romney protests."
Sources, please. Dates, publications and(or) media outlets. Include WHICH Unions and WHICH protests they were fined for not attending...
If you are going to make such bold statements, it makes sense that you list you sources, if for no other reason to add credibility to your statements. If they indeed have any.
11:58 a.m.
Oct 16, '12
Senator Jeff Merkley @SenJeffMerkley Oregonians: If you haven't already, today is the last day to register to vote. Register now! http://oregonvotes.org/pages/voterresources/regtovote/index.html …
This is the answer to give to billionaire Koch Brothers. Last day to register people.
12:56 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
When the lord speaks, the serfs must quake in fear. Feudalism does not work otherwise.
3:09 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
Oh, unions can force members to pay dues to support one political party over another, encourage them to vote for a candidate or party, canvas for votes, pay for political ads, fine members for not attending political protests and events, pay folks to protest against politicians they do not support but individuals or other entities cannot urge their employees to vote for what they believe are pro-business candidates? What a bunch of hypocrites.
With respect to union fines and payments to protesters see http://lonelyconservative.com/2012/10/video-union-fines-members-for-not-showing-support-for-elizabeth-warren/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G5DTqvX74O4
11:15 p.m.
Oct 16, '12
Really?! That's your evidence? Some unknown guy on a video saying "uh huh" when asked if his union fines him?
C'mon. At least show us the respect of making a real argument.
9:08 a.m.
Oct 18, '12
Also, this in not a business "urg(ing) their employees to vote for what they believe are pro-business candidates," this is coercion.
4:13 p.m.
Oct 17, '12
Between the crazed hatred of the Tea Party and the Koch brothers and the undying love of poor Mr Smith (did you catch his latest 1:32 am missive to the Oregonian reporter), there isn't a heck of a lot to respect. I take it that you folks are equally bothered by large contributions from George Soros, unions and their ilk. Right? I mean take a look at the largest donors at http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php
It looks to me like unions are trying to buy elections for Democrats much more than billionaires and corporations are for Republicans. And how many of those union members, do you suppose, are Republicans or Independents?