| | The Koch brothers conspire in secret with other wealthy individuals, and hold meetings closed to [[grassroots]] [[conservatives]]. This attempts to corner and influence the [[conservative movement]] and the [[Republican Party]] in a secretive, self-serving manner. In a leaked audio recording of Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] in 2014, he essentially admitted the dependency of Republican Party leaders on the Koch brothers.<ref>http://www.politicususa.com/2014/08/27/leaked-audio-tape-mitch-mcconnell-admits-koch-brothers-running-republican-party.html</ref> | | The Koch brothers conspire in secret with other wealthy individuals, and hold meetings closed to [[grassroots]] [[conservatives]]. This attempts to corner and influence the [[conservative movement]] and the [[Republican Party]] in a secretive, self-serving manner. In a leaked audio recording of Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] in 2014, he essentially admitted the dependency of Republican Party leaders on the Koch brothers.<ref>http://www.politicususa.com/2014/08/27/leaked-audio-tape-mitch-mcconnell-admits-koch-brothers-running-republican-party.html</ref> |
| − | '''''The Koch brothers are the biggest source of phony [[pro-life]] Republican politicians''''', such as Koch-backed former Rep. Renee Elmers (R-NC). She was elected by pretending to be pro-life but then switched sides on key legislation for the unborn.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/01/22/conservatives-go-to-war-against-renee-ellmers-over-abortion-immigration/?utm_term=.c095e17e8c08</ref> She was defeated after redistricting and opposition by pro-lifers. Sometimes, they even support liberal and pro-abortion Democrats, such as [[Heidi Heitkamp]].<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/2/conservative-group-runs-digital-ad-for-north-dakot/ Conservative group runs digital ad for North Dakota Democrat]. ''The Washington Times'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref><ref>Everett, Burgess (June 1, 2018). [https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/01/koch-brothers-heidi-heitkamp-americans-for-prosperity-616381 The Kochs just embraced one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators]. ''Politico''. Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref> | + | '''''The Koch brothers are the biggest source of phony [[pro-life]] Republican politicians''''', such as Koch-backed former Rep. Renee Elmers (R-NC). She was elected by pretending to be pro-life but then switched sides on key legislation for the unborn.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/01/22/conservatives-go-to-war-against-renee-ellmers-over-abortion-immigration/?utm_term=.c095e17e8c08</ref> She was defeated after redistricting and opposition by pro-lifers. Sometimes, they even support liberal and pro-abortion Democrats, such as [[Heidi Heitkamp]],<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/2/conservative-group-runs-digital-ad-for-north-dakot/ Conservative group runs digital ad for North Dakota Democrat]. ''The Washington Times'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref><ref>Everett, Burgess (June 1, 2018). [https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/01/koch-brothers-heidi-heitkamp-americans-for-prosperity-616381 The Kochs just embraced one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators]. ''Politico''. Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref> and they have refused to support many conservative Republicans, including Trump in 2016 and Cory Stewart in 2018.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/18/koch-brothers-americans-prosperity-wont-back-corey/ Koch brothers won't back GOP nominee Corey Stewart in Va. Senate race]. ''The Washington Times'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved June 18, 2018.</ref> |
| | The Koch brothers are among the biggest polluters of the [[environment]] in the entire country. Despite this, they will invoke morality in bizarre ways, such as their chief spokesman insisting that a Senate replacement bill for [[ObamaCare]] is somehow "immoral". | | The Koch brothers are among the biggest polluters of the [[environment]] in the entire country. Despite this, they will invoke morality in bizarre ways, such as their chief spokesman insisting that a Senate replacement bill for [[ObamaCare]] is somehow "immoral". |