4 Ways the Koch Brothers' Wealth Is Beyond Comprehension

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/economy/4-ways-koch-brothers-wealth-beyond-comprehension



1. Smiles

Beverly is a middle-aged homeless woman who survives day-by-day on the streets of Chicago. I learned about her from my friend Joe, an advocate for the homeless and a volunteer at a community kitchen on the city's north side. He first noticed Beverly huddled in a theater exitway on a frigid November morning, cup in hand, a pair of crutches leaning against the door behind her. He gave her a little money, and she responded with a smile and a quiet "thank you." They talked a little bit; she seemed eager to share a few minutes of conversation. She mentioned that she hadn't eaten that day. Since they were too far from, and it was too early for, the community kitchen, Joe offered to buy her a meal. Her favorite was chili, at a lunch spot around the corner.

Charles and David Koch are both members of the .00001%. That's a group of twenty individuals who have a total net worth of over a half-trillion dollars , about $26 billion each. One of David's residences is at 740 Park Avenue, in the most exclusive area of Manhattan. The doorman at the 740 building had this to say about David Koch: "We would load up his trucks -- two vans, usually -- every weekend, for the Hamptons...multiple guys, in and out, in and out, heavy bags. We would never get a tip from Mr. Koch. We would never get a smile from Mr. Koch. Fifty-dollar check for Christmas."

2. Comforts

Beverly had made $8 that day, from 8AM to 2PM, a little over a dollar an hour. She needed $22 for a night in a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotel, where she could shower and have some privacy, and most importantly feel safe for a few hours. The alternative was a local mission, where, she said, "You got to sleep with your stuff under you, so that nobody will steal it from you." She also spoke reluctantly about the bedbugs.

Hamptons home builder Joe Farrell described some of the extravagances: a home ATM machine "regularly restocked with $20,000 in $10 bills"; and a store selling $30,000 bottles of Dom Perignon. A trifle for someone like David Koch, who made $3 million an hour from his investments last year.

[Scuba]

1. When you have so much money the only thing left to buy is a government, you're too rich.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Everytiime I see anything about the Koch Brothers or the Walton family,

I can't help but think of the Palace at Versaille (sp?) and what happened to the descendants of the King (XV?) that built it. Two hundred years later and there is no more French monarchy and the Palace is now a place where tours are given.

Throughout history there have been disgustingly wealthy people and the MILLIONS from whom they've stolen it. They all die and the wealth is eventually redistributed. 'Course then it starts all over again.

[TBF]

3. One word: redistribution

This goes for the Koch's, Waltons and anyone else sitting on that billionaire list.

We have way too many folks homeless, hungry, and unemployed through no fault of their own (outsourcing anyone?) to allow individuals to hoard BILLIONS of dollars.

Enough already.

Capital gains taxes (which is how it is multiplying) need to be doubled immediately. Repeal NAFTA. Do not pass TPP. Minimum wage doubled immediately.

Do that and then see in a few years if we've done enough - there are many more avenues (raising other taxes, raising the cap on social security etc).