Presently, I’m reading “The Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin about the emergence of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the progressive journalism that led to the beginnings of progressive change in America circa 1900.  This is a very interesting and well written book which reinforces my thoughts of how eerily today’s politics mirror those of what is often referred to as the Gilded age or the age of the “Robber Barons.”  As I read about John D Rockefeller I can’t help but think of the most recent book I’ve read (“Sons of Wichita”) focused on the infamous “Koch Brothers” – and, especially Charles Koch.  The reality:  this period of greed and selfishness in the upper echelons of American society today is NOTHING NEW!

When Roosevelt assumed the presidency (President McKinley was assassinated) in 1901 there was a consolidated industrial situation in America where a few corporations (and their “bosses”) held almost unlimited power in America.  Additionally, the “Robber Barons” – ie the mirror image of today’s CEO’s – were “buying” the politicians in ways that perpetuated the struggle of the middle and lower classes of American citizens (sound familiar?).  What is really interesting (to me) is the parallel of the media then and now.  The “mainstream” media seemed to be too timid to TRUTHFULLY investigate the corruption that is inevitable when corporate interests are heavily “investing” in America’s politicians.  Once Roosevelt was in the White House (and, by the way, the “conservatives” in the republican party were doing everything they could to prevent him from getting there – that, ironically, is how he became the Vice President) it was a small group of TRULY investigative reporters who helped turn the tide of the nation’s “public opinion” in a way that allowed Roosevelt to push through some of his “progressive” agenda.

There was a magazine titled “McClure’s” which had a stable of reporters who were uncovering the misdeeds of the banks, the railroads, the steel industry, the meat packing industry, and other “conglomerates” who were ruthlessly profiting off the American public with little to no sense of responsibility to the public which supplied their “customers.”  Sound familiar???  Well, regarding the profiteering that is going on today – the true investigative reporting in 21st century America seems to be happening on the fringes of the so-called “liberal media.”  (for example, Greg Palast, whom I consider the BEST investigative reporter “out there” works via the BBC – despite the FACT he’s American thru and thru) The powerful “conservative” political strategists have learned much over the years as they are attempting to push America back in a way to repeal 100 years of progressive vision.  “We the people” are in desperate need of a “McClure’s” today that reaches a high percentage of middle class American voters.  (The “Nation” magazine is attempting to fill that void, but I don’t believe their circulation is enough to make a difference).

Take for example the Supreme Court decision called “Citizens United.”  I’ve been railing about this decision since the day it was enacted (thanks to Thom Hartman, a “liberal” talk radio host, who was explaining the ramifications of this decision long before it occurred) and it is both bothering and sobering to me that MOST of the people I know have never heard of “Citizens United.”  (and, most of these acquaintances of mine would be considered “educated” Americans) The problem with that is that, as I occasionally watch “news” on TV, it is a rare occasion when commentators “connect” the HUGE influx of money into American politics with Citizens United.  Not only are MOUNTAINS of this money coming from wealthy Americans, but an untold amount is coming from Foreigners with a vested interest in our politics.  (we’ll never know how much of the money is from foreigners, because it’s “secret” – ugh!)  I will always remember Sam Alito (one of the guilty judges on the “Roberts Court”) shaking his head as if to say “no, no” during President Obama’s State of the Union speech (I think it was in 2010) when he called the court out for this terrible judicial overreach – judicial activism at its “finest” – just what Alito and Chief Justice Roberts promised not to engage in during their confirmation hearings!  Now, “we the people” are forced to live with the results of their “overreach” until, God willing, the American people will support an amendment to the constitution to overturn their activism.  Example:  it’s now being reported that the “Koch Brothers” are committed to spending $900 MILLION in the 2016 presidential election to complete the process of what they (and Karl Rove) envision as a “permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Of course, the republicans don’t hold a “majority” in America – in fact, they have a “base” that consists of about 1/3 of the voting populace.  However, what they’re counting on, and they are presently proving works, is that when you control the media (the message) and you can afford to “buy” the politicians, it is very difficult for “we the people” to fight back.  Once they gain the White House, along with the courts, the Congress, and control of the media they will be able to convince much of America’s unsuspecting public that, for instance, repealing the minimum wage will “create jobs.”  Instead of making the Affordable Care Act better, they will attempt to repeal it.  They will make a direct assault on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and numerous other government programs they consider “socialism.”  They will work to either diminish the power of or defund government agencies that regulate business, food, the environment, and who knows what else?  The Koch brothers are libertarians who agree with the republican mantra to shrink government to the size where it can be flushed down the bathroom drain.

What else do the Koch brothers want?  Well, let me give you an example that clearly shows how this process of buying politicians works – this one is “right up front” – yet, you don’t see the media “up in arms” as they should be by such BLATANT political prostitution.  Yes, I’m talking about the Keystone XL pipeline.  This pipeline will move the Alberta tar sands “oil” from Canada to Texas so that it can be refined and the oil and its (incredibly dirty) byproducts can be shipped to places like China and India – NONE of the oil is going to American markets!  And, how do the Koch brothers fit in?  Well, they stand to profit to the tune of at least $100 MILLION once the pipeline is completed (my guess is that the $100 MILLION amount is quite conservative) and, if you’ve been paying attention, the politicians they’ve “bought” moved legislation for this pipeline “to the front of the line” in the just enacted Congressional session.  Before they did virtually ANYTHING else, they gave the Koch’s a message saying “thanks” for the HUNDREDS of MILLIONS already spent – and the “even more” on the horizon!  It’s really SICKENING to me to watch this happen, but, I haven’t seen much commentary pointing out to “we the people” the reality.  (you have to actively research, read books by actual investigative reporters or academics to get what I consider more accurate information – although, as I used to teach my students – check multiple sources!)

Did you watch Joni Ernst give the republican response to President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union speech?  Joni Ernst is a newly elected Senator from Iowa (shame on you if you live in Iowa and voted for this woman) and she is famous for bragging about castrating pigs as she launched her campaign for the US Senate.  Under most circumstances, a candidate such as Ernst would be on the fringe and would have no chance for success.  However, the “tea party” philosophy of the Koch’s is that they can “buy’ ANY seat in the House or the Senate with enough money.  Ernst herself is on record as giving thanks to the Koch brothers for funding her campaign and making her “win” possible.  How else did she give thanks?  Well, if you were listening to her “rebuttal” speech (it really wasn’t much of a rebuttal) almost the first word out of her mouth was Keystone XL pipeline (of course she – as with all republicans I’ve heard – won’t mention the Koch’s interest when “selling” the pipeline).  She pointed out this legislation was at the forefront of the republican “jobs” agenda.  And, of course, every other republican pushing this legislation is calling it a “jobs bill.”  (the legislation is now on a direct course for President Obama’s VETO pen)

What republicans (including Ernst) won’t tell you is that almost all the “jobs” created by this pipeline will be temporary (hopefully, the pipeline will NEVER be constructed – and the Canadians can process their own oil in Alberta) with only around 35 – 40 “permanent” jobs once it is completed.  They also won’t tell you the INCREDIBLE risk to America’s MAIN source of water that would be posed by this pipeline.  They’ve moved the course of the proposed pipeline so that it will “only” cross about 110 MILES of the Ogallala aquifer – the main source of water extending from South Dakota to West Texas.  The results of a pipeline spill (and, believe me, there’s MANY MORE pipeline spills from existing pipelines than “we the people” will ever know about – because, unless it’s local or HUGE – it’s not reported) could be catastrophic to untold MILLIONS of Americans living in the “heartland” of the nation.  Even those Midwest republicans who seem to blindly support “their” party would be affected by a spill.  “Worst case scenario” reports vary, but even accepting the most cautious report, a Keystone pipeline spill that would penetrate this Aquifer would lead to a national disaster of untold proportions.  So, my question to any republican would be, “Is this risk worth 40 permanent jobs?”  Of course as they would parse together some rebuttal you’d never hear them mention the Koch brothers and their money.

If you’re not familiar with Charles and David Koch you might wonder “how much money are we talking about?”  (and, keep in mind, both brothers are in their 70’s, one has terminal cancer, and both seem to be willing to unload some BILLIONS in order to achieve their John Birch Society, Libertarian dream of deconstructing the advances of the “progressives” of the Teddy Roosevelt years and the “New Deal” of the (hated) Franklin Roosevelt years, along with the similarly “hated” civil rights breakthrough’s of the LBJ years (if you haven’t seen the movie “Selma” I wholeheartedly recommend it!).  In fact these people thought Dwight Eisenhower was a communist sympathizer and Nixon even worst for the EPA and the breakthrough with China.  The Kochs are each “worth” a reported $50 BILLION (so, the $900 MILLION “investment” in our next president represents a “drop in the bucket”) and Koch Industries brings in a robust $115 BILLION in revenue each year (and counting).  In fact, ironically, their business has grown almost exponentially under President Obama – can you think of why they HATE him so?  The Keystone XL pipeline represents only a small part of the “Koch agenda” – it’s simply  the “receipt” proving republicans have been “bought.”  Should they succeed in buying the next president, we’ll then see the entire agenda – and, my prediction is that MOST Americans won’t like what they see!  The problem is that it will be most difficult to stop them once that has happened – the time to stop the Koch agenda is BEFORE 2016 – more and more people need to understand that if you’re not willing to FIGHT for something (like your rights) you will ultimately lose it/them!

Are the American people as stupid as the republican party assumes they are?  As much as I hate to answer that question in the affirmative, I don’t know what else to say. (Well, actually, I can conjure up another possibility which I will reveal below) Today, on my way home from church I did my “usual” as I purchased a Sunday paper for my wife.  And, knowing the local paper is controlled by a right wing family it didn’t surprise me to see the headline: “GOP focus: cut deficit and don’t do stupid stuff.”  Now, this would be comical if I wasn’t certain that most of the people who purchase this week’s Sunday paper won’t put much thought into that headline.  In fact, I believe most will be regurgitating the “inference” that republicans are focused on cutting the deficit and they will have no idea why the reference to “stupid stuff.”

This follows the line of the latest in the GOP propaganda scheme as they’ve switched gears from blaming the bad economy on President Obama’s “failed policy” to taking credit for what appears to be the success Timothy Geithner (and others in Obama’s administration) predicted when the original “stimulus” was passed in 2009.  They pointed out that the recovery would be slow and, especially, the jobless recovery would pick up gradually over the next 4 or 5 years (which would bring us to NOW).  Of course, anyone who’s paid any attention at all to American politics over the previous 6 years knows the republicans are HELL BENT on destroying the Obama administration – EVERYTHING he is for, they are against.  They will give him credit for NOTHING!  And, through all this President Obama seems to be moving on an “even keel” and he’s even progressed to the point where he’s showing some combativeness regarding this republican OBSTRUCTION.  (arguably, the worst obstruction in American history)

So, now their focus is on reducing the deficit?!  YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!  I’m sure there won’t be ANY acknowledgement that the deficit has been more than halved since Obama took office – despite all the republican opposition.  How convenient, to wait until the American people are actually beginning to realize that things are looking up to throw their arms into the air, start jumping up and down, and claiming:  “Look, we’ve reduced the deficit!” (and, I might add, that once they’ve assumed control of Congress – if things take a turn for the worst – I GUARANTEE you it will be Obama’s fault!) These are the same people who continue to run Dick Cheney onto GOP TV (Fox “news”) to defend TORTURE (claiming he would authorize it again) – the man who, as George W Bush’s Vice President (many say he was the most powerful Vice President in US history) claimed: “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter,” and, arguably, is as responsible as anyone for the ballooning deficits of the Bush/Cheney regime.  Evidently, deficits only matter when there’s a democrat in the White House.

Again, are “we the people” that stupid that we’re going to continue to listen to these people?  I get the newspaper’s headline.  Clearly, it’s time for the GOP to attempt to take credit for the reduced deficit (it’s been cut by something approaching $900 BILLION – from $1.4 TRILLION in Bush/Cheney’s last budget – the one inherited by President Obama to a projected $500 BILLION this year) because that’s how they do things.  They are not good at governing (just check the record of the Bush/Cheney years) but they are experts at OBSTRUCTING and OBFUSCATING.  The American people appear to be willing suckers for the republican schtick, it’s just that what they are REALLY “up to” is going to be EXTREMELY difficult to recover from once the general public “catches on.”

I just finished reading “Sons of Wichita” – a biography of the Koch family (ie the infamous “Koch Brothers”) and one of their great frustrations with the reality that they have to use the republican party as the “carriers” necessary to force their right wing (libertarian) agenda on the unsuspecting public has been all the “stupid stuff” (as referenced in my local paper’s headline) coming from republican surrogates.  Now, this shouldn’t be too surprising when you look at the reality that their “main men” (well, some women too) comprise people like Ted Cruz, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Joni Ernst, Rick Perry, Louie Gohmert, and so many others in the so-called “Tea Party” movement.  People who have referenced things like “legitimate rape,” (Tod Aiken) and “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen” (Rick Santorum and others) have made it more difficult for the Koch’s (and their network of “invisible” benefactors) to accomplish their goal of fulfilling Grover Norquist’s pledge to “reduce government to the size where it can be flushed down the bathroom drain.”

I’ve been suggesting for years there is an “invisible cabal” of wealthy people pushing the republican party farther and farther to the “right” and, over the previous 4 or 5 years the “Koch Brothers” have lost their anonymity – although, many of the benefactors in their network remain mostly “invisible.”  However, their agenda is “right out front” for all (who care) to see, and it really is a bit scary. (Unless, I suppose, you’re one of the benefactors – who appear to be people who are totally overcome by GREED!)  Take for example, the new republican congress which is soon to have total control of the legislative branch of the federal government (and, by the way, this “Koch empire” has meticulously and brilliantly – I hate to give them that – gained a foothold of control in a majority of state legislatures and governorships across America).  What will be their first activity?  Something designed to move “we the people” forward?  Something that would benefit a great majority of Americans?  If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge………….. (you know the rest)

The first actions of the new republican congress will be to pass a bill authorizing the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Now, for those of you that yawn and go, “ya what?”  Well, just take a moment to think about why this would be the republicans first action.  Before, I get to the “benefits” of this pipeline (which will be carrying the DIRTIEST form of petroleum) ponder this:  The Koch Brothers – the two guys most responsible for the FLOOD of “dark money” that has spurred the republicans into their new-found Senate majority – stand to profit by $100 MILLION (based on reports I’ve read) from this pipeline.  Republicans will claim it’s a “job creator.”  What they won’t tell you is that in the long run it will create about 50 (or less) permanent jobs.  Of the few thousand temporary jobs it will create – as it’s built – many are already there – meaning, people will simply be relocated while this pipeline is under construction.

Republicans will also claim, “we need the oil to push down oil prices.”  Well, that one should be a simple one to answer – shouldn’t it, based on the FACT that oil prices have dropped in half over the previous 6 months and are at their lowest level in almost 10 years.  Fuel efficient automobiles, solar power, wind generation, electric cars, etc. is what will (actually is) bring oil prices down.  Using less oil is the best solution to the oil crisis.  And, presently (and ironically) under President Obama’s “watch” America has become (again) the world’s largest oil producer helping to push prices down and supplies up.  Now, I “get” that President Obama probably had little to do with the present price of oil, but, if you’re going to blame the Bush/Cheney deficits on him – because it’s “under his watch” then you’ve got to give credit for what happens that’s positive “under his watch.”  I’m sure the republicans will figure a way to take credit for the drop in oil prices as well as the reduced deficit as mentioned above.

Finally, to “hammer” home my point – that I believe the republicans believe the American people are stupid – this Keystone XL Pipeline won’t even create oil that is sold in the American market.  What it will create is a toxic waste that “we the people” are left to deal with, dirty oil that is sold to places like China and India, and the potential to pollute the Ogallala aquifer in the heartland of America from which untold MILLIONS draw their water – including a significant number of farmers in the Midwest. (click HERE if you want to read more about the aquifer and the danger posed by the XL pipeline)  Obviously, republicans believe the American public won’t care about their push to create another $100 MILLION for the brothers Koch – I hope they’re wrong, but they did just “win” the midterm election.  (call me a cynic, but it does bother me that only 36% of America’s voters exercise their great privilege)

I’ll end by saying, the democratic party hasn’t given many of us “liberals” much to shout about in recent years.  I’ve personally been frustrated (over and over) by their apparent lack of courage to stand for their own convictions.  For example, in 2006 Democrats were voted into control of Congress because “we the people” wanted an end to the Iraq “war.”  Well, not only did the war not end, but a “surge” was the result.  The war profiteering was not investigated, the TORTURE was not investigated (until recently), and the CRIMES of Bush/Cheney et al were not investigated.  Jump ahead to 2015 and it will be the democrats those of us who oppose this “dirty oil” pipeline (the oil originates in Canada – why don’t they refine it and deal with the waste up there?) must depend on to stop the project and PROTECT the precious water supply of those in the Midwest.  Maybe the abuses of this “right wing” cabal haven’t gotten severe enough to “get people’s attention” – I just worry when the time comes that people realize what the Koch’s and their surrogates are up to the damage will be hard to reverse.  Personally, I don’t believe the American people are “stupid.”  I believe the American people are victims of a sophisticated propaganda/brainwashing scheme that is designed to return the USA to the Gilded Age.  (Read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “The Bully Pulpit”)

I just finished reading “Sons of Wichita” (How the Koch Brothers became America’s most powerful and private dynasty) by Daniel Schulman and hope this book becomes required reading for America’s voting public – whether you support their right wing agenda or, like me, feel as if they are the cause of a lot of what’s WRONG in our nation as I’m writing this post.  The book gives a thorough look into the Koch family and shows how people who control massive amounts of wealth can use that wealth in ways that are hard to comprehend for most of us who fall into the category of “we the people.”

I’ve been writing for years about what I call the “invisible cabal” of moneyed Americans who have been pushing both the republican party (and with it the democratic party) along with the political dialogue in America farther and farther to the right.  In my mind, this right leaning “tilt” began in earnest when Ronald Reagan managed to gain “admittance” to the White House in the election of 1980 vs. Jimmy Carter – and ironically, the libertarian party which featured David Koch as their Vice Presidential candidate.  Back then, the Libertarians managed something along the lines of 1% of the vote.  However, as becomes painfully (from my perspective) clear as you read this book, the Kochs have never allowed themselves to be discouraged by losing an election – evidence to that which is obvious as you consider their reaction to President Obama’s re-election in 2012.  That loss only temporarily discouraged them – instead of accepting that loss, they just ramped up their efforts to buy (and control) our nation’s government which led to the republicans winning control of the Senate in 2014.  (Evidence of the Koch’s success is the republican “PLEDGE” to start their new-found control of both houses of congress by passing the Keystone XL Pipeline bill – which equates to ANOTHER $100 MILLION for Koch Industries! yuk – people like me will be watching carefully at the democratic response to this action!)

What’s the most scary to me, as I’m gaining a better understanding of the “Koch empire” is they are practicing the very things they’ve railed against over the years – starting with their Father being a founding member of the John Birch Society and, along with his 2nd son Charles, railing publicly on many occasions a serious “anti-communist” rant.  Again, ironically, Charles’ and David’s father, Fred, who established the “empire” gained the foundation for their great wealth by taking his oil refining technology to Stalin’s Russia to help them “modernize” their oil refining abilities while profiting to the tune of millions.  He went to Russia because he was being sued in the States for, essentially, stealing this technology from a competitor.  Based on what I’ve read elsewhere and what is in this book, I believe it is fair to say that the Koch’s (as do many highly successful business executives) clearly fall into the RUTHLESS “whatever it takes” category.

And, I’m not one to “judge” any successful business person – especially when they are functioning according to the legal boundaries that are set up to protect “we the people” (which is highly questionable in regard to the Kochs) – I’m just not comfortable AT ALL with people in their position (who claim to be “for FREEDOM” – even though their “freedom” adversely affects the lives of MANY others) being able to buy our government.  Make no mistake about this, the “Koch Brothers,” as they’ve come to be known, are EXTREMELY wealthy, they are EXTREMELY sophisticated, and they have proved OVER and OVER again that there are no means they will not use to gain the “end” they’ve been pushing for over the past 50+ years.

In the previous election (the midterms of 2014) much of what the Kochs (along with others in the republican party) have been strategizing – really since the New Deal era of FDR – showed it’s  coming together and, in my view, by the time “we the people” figure out what has happened, it will be EXTREMELY difficult to reverse.  When Karl Rove (who I believe is not in total unity with the Kochs) postulates about the “permanent republican majority” he is pointing out the end goal of Charles Koch – who is USING the republican party as the surrogate to his LIBERTARIAN beliefs.  Unfortunately, I don’t think many Americans are even aware of the “Koch Brothers” – save for the few “progressive” activists who were (finally) warning progressives – er liberals – (who still chose NOT to vote in 2014) about the money the Koch network of wealthy Americans was funneling into the electoral process without any effort to educate what that means.  In the process, it appears to me the Kochs have their opposition kind of like a dog “chasing its own tail” in the BATTLE for political POWER in America.

Koch Industries – which is a huge conglomerate – is the record setter in environmental abuses that is evident through the hundreds of MILLIONS they’ve paid in fines for the damage done by various factions of their empire.  Untold numbers of people have died or been adversely affected by negligence and willful disregard for environmental laws but it seems as if there’s an unlimited budget to pay the fines and the two brothers have successfully insulated themselves from any criminal prosecution that has resulted in their GREEDY push for even more wealth. (In fact, much of their agenda is aimed at repealing the government regulations aimed at protecting the environment and “we the people” from predatory businesses and business people such as the Kochs) Their “empire” is generating well over $100 BILLION in revenue each year and each of the two brothers still involved with Koch Industries (Charles and David) are reported to be worth $50 BILLION (and counting) as I write.  It’s as if there is no amount of money to satisfy them – in fact, I believe their true motivation is creating a legacy of POWER – turning America into what they envision is a “free society” – which in reality will resemble something more approaching a Fascist Society.

For people I know who believe in the Ayn Rand wing of the Libertarian movement (and, I have to admit, I haven’t had the motivation to read “Atlas Shrugged” which seems to be the “bible” to some of my extreme right wing acquaintances) the Kochs are “right on.”  Most of these people that I know, have been more than willing to accept the benefits of what many call “The Commons” – meaning the roads, the post offices, the bridges, the military, the police, the fire department, the schools, etc. etc. – yet, don’t want to pay any taxes, they don’t want government regulating their lives in any way (accept on the occasion where they need something) and, kind of comically, several who are already on Social Security and Medicare oppose government involvement in health care by saying “keep your government hands off my Medicare.”  To me, this is kind of how the national debt most of these people rail against got out of control – beginning with Reagan – we want an endless amount of “stuff” (mostly military) we just don’t want to pay for it.  I’m sure there are some in this “camp” that simply believe that everyone should have a cache of weapons and “everyman for himself” and “the strong will survive.” One thing I feel certain about is most of the people who align themselves with the Koch Brothers don’t believe in giving a helping hand to those who are “down and out.”

Ostensibly, when you read “Sons of Wichita” and you take a look at the direction this nation has evolved since the days of Reagan, and more seriously, since the Citizens United Supreme Court decision which opened the “floodgates” to the “dark money” the Kochs and their surrogates are throwing around it is easy to see why we have apparently taken steps backward in the areas of racial justice, women’s rights, education, environmental protection (take a rational look at the necessity of the Keystone XL pipeline, for instance), and basic national morality – for example, the endless wars, the TORTURE (without accountability), the bank bailouts at the expense of ordinary American’s retirement accounts, etc. etc.  In my mind, the Koch brothers stand for everything that’s wrong in America, yet they’re “winning!”  Go figure!