Koch industries, other CEOs warn employees of layoffs if Obama is reelected

[The Rabbi]

I hope Obama mentions this tonight.

It is class warfare.

We need to take back out country from the Plutocrats.

Yes! Me too. It will highlight the fact that Obamacare will result in huge layoffs and loss of income to average American workers.

 

[Katzndogz]

There would have been many, MANY more companies warning of layoffs if obama hadn't asked these contractors to break the law and promised to cover their expenses when they are prosecuted and sued.

 

[bodecea]

Koch Industries, other CEOs warn employees of layoffs if Obama is reelected | The Ticket - Yahoo! News

Koch Industries, the Wichita, Kan.-based company run by the billionaire Koch brothers, sent a voter information packet to 45,000 employees of its Georgia Pacific subsidiary earlier this month.
In it was a letter, dated Oct. 1, from Koch Industries president Dave Robertson implicitly warning that "many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences" of voting for President Obama and other Democrats in the 2012 elections, a list of conservative candidates the company's political action committee endorses and a pair of editorials: one, by David Koch, supporting Mitt Romney, and the other, by Charles Koch, condemning Obama.
"While we are typically told before each Presidential election that it is important and historic, I believe the upcoming election will determine what kind of America future generations will inherit," Robertson's letter--first published by InTheseTimes.com--begins. "If we elect candidates who want to spend hundreds of billions in borrowed money on costly new subsidies for a few favored cronies, put unprecedented regulatory burdens on businesses, prevent or delay important new construction projects, and excessively hinder free trade, then many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation, and other ills. This is true regardless of what your political affiliation might be."
Robertson's letter continued:

(In These Times)
To help you engage in the political process, we have enclosed several items in this packet. For most of you, this includes information about voter registration deadlines and early voting options for your state. At the request of many employees, we have also provided a list of candidates in your state that have been supported by Koch companies or by the KOCHPAC, our employee political action committee.
I want to emphasize two things about these lists. First, and most important, we believe any decision about which candidates to support is -- as always -- yours and yours alone, based on the factors that are most important to you. Second, we do not support candidates based on their political affiliation. We evaluate them based on who is the most market-based and willing to support economic freedom for the benefit of society as a whole.
If you are concerned about our economy, our future and enhancing the quality of life for all Americans, then I encourage you to consider the principles of your candidates and not just their party affiliation. It is essential that we are all informed and educated voters. Our future depends on it.

Oh dear! Riots if he loses, layoffs if he wins....Fear! Fear! Fear!

 

[Seawytch]

This sure smacks of Mafia style tactics...

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to your job"...

 

[The Rabbi]

This sure smacks of Mafia style tactics...

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to your job"...

It's actually the govt engaging in mafia style tactics. It would be a shame if you didnt provide what we want you to provide. If you dont we'll fine you or send you to jail.
It's only gov't that has the monopoly on legal violence, you know.

 

[Seawytch]

This sure smacks of Mafia style tactics...

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to your job"...

It's actually the govt engaging in mafia style tactics. It would be a shame if you didnt provide what we want you to provide. If you dont we'll fine you or send you to jail.
It's only gov't that has the monopoly on legal violence, you know.

Um, you mean if you don't follow laws you'll go to jail? how Gestapo-like.

 

[VaYank5150]

The scare tactics continue.

That's my point.

Federal law requires employeers to warn their employees of forseeable layoffs, do you have a problem with them compling with the law? Moabama sure does, he's telling companies to ignore the law, violating his oath in the process.

Read the law. They are required to warn them of PLANNED "massive" layoffs or plant closings. What the Koch brothers did is known as pandering and utilizing scare tactics with their employees to do so. Pathetic and sickening if you ask me. And people STILL wonder why no one trusts the "job creators"....

 

[The Rabbi]

This sure smacks of Mafia style tactics...

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to your job"...

It's actually the govt engaging in mafia style tactics. It would be a shame if you didnt provide what we want you to provide. If you dont we'll fine you or send you to jail.
It's only gov't that has the monopoly on legal violence, you know.

Um, you mean if you don't follow laws you'll go to jail? how Gestapo-like.

Right, my way or the highway. DOesnt matter how intrusive, or how much it destroys private rights and contracts.
What Koch did was present reasoned arguments as to what an Obama re-election would mean. That is free speech, protected by the 1A, something liberals used to believe in.

 

[Liberal]

Only neocons would support employers that scare their employees over political matters. The only reason why they support it is because it is ideologically aligned with their ideals.

Notice.. It's all of the same characters that keep telling their employees this.. Koch, Seigle, all of the same people who have been vocal against the president from day one and cried when Obama won.

This is "acceptable" behavior, but I am sure the supporters think teachers doing the same is "evil"..

 

[The Rabbi]

Only neocons would support employers that scare their employees over political matters. The only reason why they support it is because it is ideologically aligned with their ideals.

Notice.. It's all of the same characters that keep telling their employees this.. Koch, Seigle, all of the same people who have been vocal against the president from day one and cried when Obama won.

This is "acceptable" behavior, but I am sure the supporters think teachers doing the same is "evil"..

There is a huge difference between teachers and students and employers and employees. BUt only a lolberal would equate children with employees.
It is a First Amendment issue. Companise have every right to communicate whatever they want to workers. It used to be liberals believed in the 1A.

 

[Meister]

I remember when I was a union member the unions would tell us to vote for the democrat president, because the republicans want to privatize our jobs. true story

 

[HUGGY]

Koch Industries, other CEOs warn employees of layoffs if Obama is reelected | The Ticket - Yahoo! News

Koch Industries, the Wichita, Kan.-based company run by the billionaire Koch brothers, sent a voter information packet to 45,000 employees of its Georgia Pacific subsidiary earlier this month.
In it was a letter, dated Oct. 1, from Koch Industries president Dave Robertson implicitly warning that "many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences" of voting for President Obama and other Democrats in the 2012 elections, a list of conservative candidates the company's political action committee endorses and a pair of editorials: one, by David Koch, supporting Mitt Romney, and the other, by Charles Koch, condemning Obama.
"While we are typically told before each Presidential election that it is important and historic, I believe the upcoming election will determine what kind of America future generations will inherit," Robertson's letter--first published by InTheseTimes.com--begins. "If we elect candidates who want to spend hundreds of billions in borrowed money on costly new subsidies for a few favored cronies, put unprecedented regulatory burdens on businesses, prevent or delay important new construction projects, and excessively hinder free trade, then many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences, including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation, and other ills. This is true regardless of what your political affiliation might be."
Robertson's letter continued:

(In These Times)
To help you engage in the political process, we have enclosed several items in this packet. For most of you, this includes information about voter registration deadlines and early voting options for your state. At the request of many employees, we have also provided a list of candidates in your state that have been supported by Koch companies or by the KOCHPAC, our employee political action committee.
I want to emphasize two things about these lists. First, and most important, we believe any decision about which candidates to support is -- as always -- yours and yours alone, based on the factors that are most important to you. Second, we do not support candidates based on their political affiliation. We evaluate them based on who is the most market-based and willing to support economic freedom for the benefit of society as a whole.
If you are concerned about our economy, our future and enhancing the quality of life for all Americans, then I encourage you to consider the principles of your candidates and not just their party affiliation. It is essential that we are all informed and educated voters. Our future depends on it.

Sounds like the Kochs believe they are too big to fail. I don't think so.

 

[Liberal]

There is a huge difference between teachers and students and employers and employees. BUt only a lolberal would equate children with employees.
It is a First Amendment issue. Companise have every right to communicate whatever they want to workers. It used to be liberals believed in the 1A.

Okay Rabbler...

Where did I say that they did not have the RIGHT to say what they wanted to? Oh yeah, I didn't.. They have have the right to under "1A", does that make it the right thing to do... NO.

Children was inaccurate assessment on my part (because they can't vote), but more so college students and high-school aged children.

Either way, if you are against one you should be against both.. It's not a matter of the companies right to do it, you keep trying deflect with that particular "straw man" but nobody is arguing that they don't have the right.

It's about scare tactics. These are particular people have been vocal both in funding and outspokenness against the president, this is just a last ditch effort on their part to try and get their way by threatening their employees.

 

[ba1614]

There would have been many, MANY more companies warning of layoffs if obama hadn't asked these contractors to break the law and promised to cover their expenses when they are prosecuted and sued.

They must not have gotten the memo that they are supposed to keep possible layoffs secret until after the election.

 

[bripat9643]

This sure smacks of Mafia style tactics...

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to your job"...

The difference is it's legal for a corporation to reduce its workforce. it isn't legal for Guido to break your leg or set your business on fire.

That's one big problem with liberals: they don't know the difference between criminal activity and normal business activity. They think running a business is criminal activity.

 

[bripat9643]

Only neocons would support employers that scare their employees over political matters. The only reason why they support it is because it is ideologically aligned with their ideals.

Notice.. It's all of the same characters that keep telling their employees this.. Koch, Seigle, all of the same people who have been vocal against the president from day one and cried when Obama won.

Why shouldn't employers scare their employees about what the government is doing? The government is always shaking down and threatening business. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

This is "acceptable" behavior, but I am sure the supporters think teachers doing the same is "evil"..

Teachers are government employees. They don't get paid to ram their political opinions down the throats of the people who pay their salaries.

 

[Mr. Peepers]

I'm sorry, but how is this legal? This is political blackmail.

 

[asaratis]

So the Krotch brothers will scale down their business if Obama is reelected? What kind of idiot would buy that? Nope, they'll wind up trying to preserve their wealth by increasing their workers. They make money from the number of people working for them. They spend money when dingleberry trickle downers cut their take home pay.

Obama wants to raise taxes on business's that make over 250,000 per year, those are small business's, when business have to pay more in taxes they don't have money left over to pay employees. The taxes coming their way with Obama care is bone chilling, business's will cut their employees to under 50 to avoid having to pick up insurance cost and they will also cut hours to under 30 a week to avoid it. But below is another e-mail from a CEO, you should read the entire article as it explains in very clear and concise terms what it takes to run a successful business that employs thousands. The government can't employ us all as the government is the consumer of wealth and the private sector the producer of wealth. The government makes nothing it can sell for a profit or a service, they are takers from productive business's and people and these business's and people pay the paychecks for government employess.

Read the full email below.

-------------------------------------
To All My Valued Employees,


As most of you know our company, Westgate Resorts, has continued to succeed in spite of a very dismal economy. There is no question that the economy has changed for the worse and we have not seen any improvement over the past four years. In spite of all of the challenges we have faced, the good news is this: The economy doesn't currently pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration. Of course, as your employer, I can't tell you whom to vote for, and I certainly wouldn't interfere with your right to vote for whomever you choose. In fact, I encourage you to vote for whomever you think will serve your interests the best.

However, let me share a few facts that might help you decide what is in your best interest.The current administration and members of the press have perpetuated an environment that casts employers against employees. They want you to believe that we live in a class system where the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. They label us the "1%" and imply that we are somehow immune to the challenges that face our country. This could not be further from the truth. Sure, you may have heard about the big home that I'm building. I'm sure many people think that I live a privileged life. However, what you don't see or hear is the true story behind any success that I have achieved.

I started this company over 42 years ago. At that time, I lived in a very modest home. I converted my garage into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you. We didn't eat in fancy restaurants or take expensive vacations because every dollar I made went back into this company. I drove an old used car, and often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Meanwhile, many of my friends got regular jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a nice income, and they spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into this business ---with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford to buy whatever I wanted. Even to this day, every dime I earn goes back into this company. Over the past four years I have had to stop building my dream house, cut back on all of my expenses, and take my kids out of private schools simply to keep this company strong and to keep you employed.

Just think about this - most of you arrive at work in the morning and leave that afternoon and the rest of your time is yours to do as you please. But not me- there is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have that freedom. I eat, live, and breathe this company every minute of the day, every day of the week. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. I know many of you work hard and do a great job, but I'm the one who has to sign every check, pay every expense, and make sure that this company continues to succeed. Unfortunately, what most people see is the nice house and the lavish lifestyle. What the press certainly does not want you to see, is the true story of the hard work and sacrifices I've made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and people like me who made all the right decisions and invested in themselves are being forced to bail out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed 42 years of my life for. Yes, business ownership has its benefits, but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the costs of running a business have gotten out of control, and let me tell you why: We are being taxed to death and the government thinks we don't pay enough. We pay state taxes, federal taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes, payroll taxes, workers compensation taxes and unemployment taxes. I even have to hire an entire department to manage all these taxes. The question I have is this: Who is really stimulating the economy? Is it the Government that wants to take money from those who have earned it and give it to those who have not, or is it people like me who built a company out of his garage and directly employs over 7000 people and hosts over 3 million people per year with a great vacation?

Obviously, our present government believes that taking my money is the right economic stimulus for this country. The fact is, if I deducted 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, that's what happens to me. Here is what most people don't understand and the press and our Government has chosen to ignore - to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Instead of raising my taxes and depositing that money into the Washington black-hole, let me spend it on growing the company, hire more employees, and generate substantial economic growth. My employees will enjoy the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But that is not what our current Government wants you to believe. They want you to believe that it somehow makes sense to take more from those who create wealth and give it to those who do not, and somehow our economy will improve. They don't want you to know that the "1%", as they like to label us, pay more than 31% of all the taxes in this country. Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate business, not kill it. However, the power brokers in Washington believe redistributing wealth is the essential driver of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change they want. So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company. Rather than grow this company I will be forced to cut back. This means fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.

So, when you make your decision to vote, ask yourself, which candidate understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn't? Whose policies will endanger your job? Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of protecting and saving your job. While the media wants to tell you to believe the "1 percenters" are bad, I'm telling you they are not. They create most of the jobs. If you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the "1%"; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country.

You see, I can no longer support a system that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, so will your opportunities. If that happens, you can find me in the Caribbean sitting on the beach, under a palm tree, retired, and with no employees to worry about.

"You didn't build that company. Someone else did that!"

That's what you might hear from some Obamabot that expects you to worship the government.

Kudos for the post.

In regard to the OP, the Kock brothers are merely telling the truth. If Obama wins a second chance to screw the country into bankruptcy, he will do just that. Obama is anti-capitalist. Jobs will be lost....big time!

 

[bripat9643]

There is a huge difference between teachers and students and employers and employees. BUt only a lolberal would equate children with employees.
It is a First Amendment issue. Companise have every right to communicate whatever they want to workers. It used to be liberals believed in the 1A.

Okay Rabbler...

Where did I say that they did not have the RIGHT to say what they wanted to? Oh yeah, I didn't.. They have have the right to under "1A", does that make it the right thing to do... NO.

Children was inaccurate assessment on my part (because they can't vote), but more so college students and high-school aged children.

Either way, if you are against one you should be against both.. It's not a matter of the companies right to do it, you keep trying deflect with that particular "straw man" but nobody is arguing that they don't have the right.

It's about scare tactics. These are particular people have been vocal both in funding and outspokenness against the president, this is just a last ditch effort on their part to try and get their way by threatening their employees.

Wrong, turd. What government employees are allowed bares no resemblance to what private employers are allowed. I don't pay taxes so some sleazy unprincipled Marxist toadies can indoctrinate my children with their political agenda.

 

[bripat9643]

I'm sorry, but how is this legal? This is political blackmail.

Don't get hysterical. It's nothing of the sort.