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

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."

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David Koch

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