A Billionaires' Coup in the US
By George Monbiot
The Guardian/UK
September 23, 2011
...
So who or what is Americans for Prosperity? It was founded
and is funded by Charles and David Koch. They run what they
call "the biggest company you've never heard of", and between
them they are worth $43bn. Koch Industries is a massive oil,
gas, minerals, timber and chemicals company. In the past 15
years the brothers have poured at least $85m into lobby
groups arguing for lower taxes for the rich and weaker
regulations for industry. The groups and politicians the
Kochs fund also lobby to destroy collective bargaining, to
stop laws reducing carbon emissions, to stymie healthcare
reform and to hobble attempts to control the banks. During
the 2010 election cycle, AFP spent $45m supporting its
favoured candidates.
