Thought Control the Koch Way

[Howey]

Thanks, Citizens United!

On the eve of the November midterm elections, Koch Industries sent an urgent letter to most of its 50,000 employees advising them on whom to vote for and warning them about the dire consequences to their families, their jobs and their country should they choose to vote otherwise.
 
The Nation obtained the Koch Industries election packet for Washington State [1]—which included a cover letter from its president and COO, David Robertson; a list of Koch-endorsed state and federal candidates; and an issue of the company newsletter, Discovery, full of alarmist right-wing propaganda.
 
Legal experts interviewed for this story called the blatant corporate politicking highly unusual, although no longer skirting the edge of legality, thanks to last year’s Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which granted free speech rights to corporations.
 
“Before Citizens United, federal election law allowed a company like Koch Industries to talk to officers and shareholders about whom to vote for, but not to talk with employees about whom to vote for,” explains Paul M. Secunda, associate professor of law at Marquette University. But according to Secunda, who recently wrote in The Yale Law Journal Online about the effects of Citizens United on political coercion in the workplace, the decision knocked down those regulations. “Now, companies like Koch Industries are free to send out newsletters persuading their employees how to vote. They can even intimidate their employees into voting for their candidates.” Secunda adds, “It’s a very troubling situation.”
 
The Kochs were major supporters of the Citizens United case; they were also chief sponsors of the Tea Party and major backers of the anti-“Obamacare” campaign. Through their network of libertarian think tanks and policy institutes, they have been major drivers of unionbusting campaigns in Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere.

THE DOCUMENTS (pdf): READ AND CRY

Source: The Nation, the country's oldest print magazine and the bastion of true liberal reporting.

[ekg]

If the government insists that someone should be paid $50 per hour in wages and benefits, but that person only creates $30 worth of value, no one will prosper for long…. Anything that undermines the mobility of labor, such as policies that make it more expensive and difficult to change where people are employed, also increases unemployment…. Similar policies that distort the labor market—such as minimum wage laws and mandated benefits—contribute to unemployment.

For more than 40 years, Koch Industries has openly and consistently supported the principles of economic freedom and market-based policies. Unfortunately, these values and principled point of view are now being strongly opposed by many politicians (and their media allies) who favor ever-increasing government…

According to UCLA’s Stone, although Citizens United frees Koch Industries and other corporations to propagandize their employees with their political preferences, the same doesn’t hold true for unions—at least not in the workplace. “If a union wanted to hand out political materials in the workplace not directly relevant to the workers’ interests—such as providing a list of candidates to support in the elections—the employer has the right to ban that material,” says Stone. “They could even prohibit its distribution on lunch breaks or after shifts, because by law it’s the company’s private property.”

I can only say... Holy shit Batman, Toyko Rose called and she wants to bequeath her crown to the Koch Brothers..

and yet.. Acorn is really destroying this country?

[Howey]

“If a union wanted to hand out political materials in the workplace not directly relevant to the workers’ interests—such as providing a list of candidates to support in the elections—the employer has the right to ban that material"

Didn't we have a discussion on the muche about this years ago? You know, before the skyscrapers pulled on a pair of slacks and became people?

[blindboytwitch]

There was no tying of the job to the propoganda, it was just a list of candidates they felt would best support their interests (as a business) and therefore encourage profitiability.  Profitability is one way (no guarantees) of ensuring your job security.  I don't see a problem with the employer doing that.  If you don't like the politics (I don't) you then have a moral quandry get of the tit or continue to suck and shut up about it.

Unions are an external organization whose purpose is to improve work conditions.  In some instances I support them, in some I don't but the short is, again, it's the owners shop.  He can control what comes in and out of there within the confines of the law-- meaning no Title VII discrimination.  Other than that..... go get a flyer from the local union hall or your email or whatever and compare it to what your employer gave you and figure it out your damn self.

I know there is implied intimidation there but, you know, life is tough.  If you manufactured widgets, would you think it in your company's best interest to have your employees in the "down with widgets" PAC voting block?

[Howey]

There was no tying of the job to the propoganda, it was just a list of candidates they felt would best support their interests (as a business) and therefore encourage profitiability.  Profitability is one way (no guarantees) of ensuring your job security.  I don't see a problem with the employer doing that.  If you don't like the politics (I don't) you then have a moral quandry get of the tit or continue to suck and shut up about it.

Unions are an external organization whose purpose is to improve work conditions.  In some instances I support them, in some I don't but the short is, again, it's the owners shop.  He can control what comes in and out of there within the confines of the law-- meaning no Title VII discrimination.  Other than that..... go get a flyer from the local union hall or your email or whatever and compare it to what your employer gave you and figure it out your damn self.

I know there is implied intimidation there but, you know, life is tough.  If you manufactured widgets, would you think it in your company's best interest to have your employees in the "down with widgets" PAC voting block?

I would take offense to anyone telling, or suggesting, to me how to vote. "Implied intimidation" is as bad, if not worse, then "direct intimidation".

What if a Koch employee was fired for not voting for a "suggested" politician?

[blindboytwitch]

I would take offense to anyone telling, or suggesting, to me how to vote. "Implied intimidation" is as bad, if not worse, then "direct intimidation".

What if a Koch employee was fired for not voting for a "suggested" politician?

I would take offense at it as well.  But is the offense of my delicate nature worth quitting over?  It's a toss up given the issue.  But I don't think them sending me literature is illegal.   

Fired for not voting?  How would they know?  I ain't gonna tell 'em if I need the job. 

In the same way that I don't advertise my horrible drinking problem and propensity to stay out late to my employer, I don't think I need to talk politics with 'em.  Smile and say "yes sir" unless something they need me to do in the course of my job presents a serious ethical delimna. 

Campaign literature is just one of those dumb ass things like, say "admininstrative professionals week", that I just kind of ignore.  I don't wanna go to your fuckin ice cream social and I ain't votin' for no tea party savage.  Same thing.

[betteroffhere]

I would take offense to anyone telling, or suggesting, to me how to vote. "Implied intimidation" is as bad, if not worse, then "direct intimidation".

What if a Koch employee was fired for not voting for a "suggested" politician?

how would koch know who an employee voted for ?...

and you must be offended every time an election comes around...

propaganda...intimidation...mis representation...dis information...revision...advertising...marketing...

the daily onslaught is relentless...and exploited by each and all sides respectively...both governmental and private sector

some people pick sides...other people step to the side and just watch the show...a beautiful dance of chaos and control...

embrace the diversity...for it is what allows you to be who you are in the here and now

[lil mike]

I would take offense to anyone telling, or suggesting, to me how to vote. "Implied intimidation" is as bad, if not worse, then "direct intimidation".

You're really going to hate my list of voting recommendations in 2012.  I hope you are not too indtimidated by it.

What if a Koch employee was fired for not voting for a "suggested" politician?

How does that work exactly?

[Howey]

Fired for not voting?  How would they know?  I ain't gonna tell 'em if I need the job. 

how would koch know who an employee voted for ?...

How does that work exactly?

doh!

Here's a few stories:

http://workrights.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ldlegaltimes.pdf

Gobbel had a John Kerry bumper sticker. Her boss informed her that the owner of the factory, Phil Geddes, had demanded that she remove the sticker or be fired; he also told her "you could either work for him or John Kerry." Geddes had on a previous occasion inserted a flyer in employee paycheck envelopes pointing out the positive effects that Bush's policies as president were having on them. "It upset me and made me mad," said Gobbel, "that he could put a letter in my check expressing his political opinion, but I can't put something on my car expressing mine."

[ekg]

There was no tying of the job to the propoganda, it was just a list of candidates they felt would best support their interests (as a business) and therefore encourage profitiability.  Profitability is one way (no guarantees) of ensuring your job security.  I don't see a problem with the employer doing that.  If you don't like the politics (I don't) you then have a moral quandry get of the tit or continue to suck and shut up about it.

Unions are an external organization whose purpose is to improve work conditions.  In some instances I support them, in some I don't but the short is, again, it's the owners shop.  He can control what comes in and out of there within the confines of the law-- meaning no Title VII discrimination.  Other than that..... go get a flyer from the local union hall or your email or whatever and compare it to what your employer gave you and figure it out your damn self.

I know there is implied intimidation there but, you know, life is tough.  If you manufactured widgets, would you think it in your company's best interest to have your employees in the "down with widgets" PAC voting block?

I beg to differ, this wasn't just them handing out a list saying "Hey guys, we really like these pols and they really like us and our factory"  read what I highlighted.. this was misinformation that benefits the company and hurts the worker and propaganda..

If the government insists that someone should be paid $50 per hour in wages and benefits, but that person only creates $30 worth of value, no one will prosper for long…. Anything that undermines the mobility of labor, such as policies that make it more expensive and difficult to change where people are employed, also increases unemployment…. Similar policies that distort the labor market—such as minimum wage laws and mandated benefits—contribute to unemployment.

Hey guys, let's all vote for the pol who will end that pesky little 'minimum wage' doohickey...because ya know, that's why unemployment is so high..

For more than 40 years, Koch Industries has openly and consistently supported the principles of economic freedom and market-based policies. Unfortunately, these values and principled point of view are now being strongly opposed by many politicians (and their media allies) who favor ever-increasing government…

they, and their 'media allies'.. are taking our values and principles away?

That's utter bullshit.   and their media allies  Jesus.. hello propaganda

–noun
1.
information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
2.
the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.
3.
the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

yep, propaganda..

[44nutman]

You're really going to hate my list of voting recommendations in 2012.  I hope you are not too indtimidated by it.

Can't wait for that list.

[Howey]

Can't wait for that list.

Puhleeze!

Throw the names of all the Libertarian candidates, most extreme last, in a hat and hand it to lilMike and let him pick from only the top.

Prez: Paul (either)
VP: Palin, Bachmann, The Donald. Doesn't matter, they're all crazy. The Donald's got the best hair.

[44nutman]

Puhleeze!

Throw the names of all the Libertarian candidates, most extreme last, in a hat and hand it to lilMike and let him pick from only the top.

Prez: Paul (either)
VP: Palin, Bachmann, The Donald. Doesn't matter, they're all crazy. The Donald's got the best hair.

I actually like Ron Paul, unlike most politicians who have found Teasus in the last couple years, he has been consistent in his message.

[Howey]

I actually like Ron Paul, unlike most politicians who have found Teasus in the last couple years, he has been consistent in his message.

Teasus and Jesus, not to mention my favorite - Grilled Cheesus - are the main reason he'll never be elected. And there's not enough Independents out there to run as one.

[44nutman]

Teasus and Jesus, not to mention my favorite - Grilled Cheesus - are the main reason he'll never be elected. And there's not enough Independents out there to run as one.

The reason Paul won't do well is because Fox and the neo-cons hate him. Fox has posted distorted polls and belittled Paul every chance they get. Hannity absolutely hates him which I find funny because he never misses a chance to plant a kiss on the Teocon, Palin's ass.  The problem for the GOP is if Paul runs as an independent he will steal more GOP votes than Democratic votes. He will be a right wing Nader.