Harry Reid slams Koch brothers

[n2doc]

By BURGESS EVERETT | 1/30/14 11:39 AM EST

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid slammed the Koch brothers’ political activities Thursday, accusing the influential conservatives of trying to “buy the country.”

Reid was responding to comments from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who howled over President Barack Obama’s crackdown on politically active tax-exempt organizations as “declaring a war not just on its opponents, but on free speech itself.” McConnell compared the administration’s proposed rules on those groups to the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of outside groups and said Democrats are trying to stifle their election-year critics.

Reid hammered the networks backed by David and Charles Koch as political organizations masquerading as social welfare groups and criticizing McConnell’s efforts to help them.

“Because of a United States Supreme Court decisions called Citizens United, there’s been some really untoward stuff going on in the political world. We have two brothers who are actually trying to buy the country,” Reid said. “The Republican leader has long been an opponent of campaign finance reform. This has been part of his career. So it is no surprise he opposes the administration’s efforts for greater disclosure. The abuse here is not the administration’s enforcing the law, but folks like the Koch brothers pretending to be social welfare organizations.”


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/harry-reid-koch-brothers-102859.html

[JaneyVee]

1. Just like Kristallnacht.

[pscot]

2. Preach it, brother Reid

[jsr]

3. Make them a household word

like Charles Manson.

[onehandle]

4. He should call on President Obama for a drone strike against them.

They've done far more damage to the United States than Al-Qaeda ever has.

If American citizens aren't off limits...

[flamingdem]

5. Knock 'em out Harry! n/t

[Gothmog]

6. We need to change the rules on 501(c)(4) entities

The Koch brothers and others like Karl Rove have been abusing these entities

[meow2u3]

16. The IRS needs to enforce the law as it was written regarding 501 (c)(4) entities

The IRS took it upon itself to change the rules from "exclusively for the promotion of social welfare" to "primarily..." for purposes of tax exemption. The law states in no uncertain terms that 501 (c)(4)'s are tax exempt when they're EXCLUSIVELY for social welfare promotion.

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Other-Non-Profits/Social-Welfare-Organizations

To be operated exclusively to promote social welfare, an organization must operate primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the community (such as by bringing about civic betterment and social improvements).

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Other-Non-Profits/Social-Welfare-Organizations-Political-Campaign-Intervention

[Stuart G]

7. k & r thanks for posting..... no text..

[mokawanis]

8. Think of all the good they could do with that much money

They could be investing in medical research, education, and a gazillion other things that would be of benefit to all, but they choose to undermine the democratic process and prop up scumbags like Scott Walker.

[toby jo]

9. Get this message out weekly, guys.

Pass it around the DNC and let everybody have a go at it. It just can't be said enough.

'...folks like the Koch brothers pretending to be social welfare organizations.'

[TRoN33]

10. If Koch brothers is the kings of America

They can expect the full blown of rebellion against Koch brothers. I was not born to serve the wealth few and I sure as hell ain't going to let them control the lives of me and my family.

[Half-Century Man]

14. I have a pitchfork and can make torches.

Burning castles light up the countryside so nicely.

[saidsimplesimon]

11. Thank you Senator Reid

The Koch Brothers are focused on profit from the KeyStone Pipe Line. Everything else is mere diversion, imho.

I hope Senator Reid can block any approval of this insanity. Key Stone is just the beginning of polluting any remaining underground aquifers.

PS: If you are a Masonic conspiracy theorist, look up "keystone". My father was a 32nd degree, Scottish Rites Mason.

[Half-Century Man]

12. Power to the people

Right on Brother Harry.

[dmosh42]

13. Harry's leading the way!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. The NY Times can thank Rachael for the exposure.