Koch rips off taxpayers

Koch Industries Rakes In Small Business Grants in 2010, They Need To Give That Money Back
Posted by FREDERICA CADE

Right now Americans are still struggling to find jobs. The purposes of small business grants are to help boost the economy. As the United States tries to work itself though this recovery, the small business owner is essential to a strong economy. Since President Obama took office he has been pushing for tax breaks to help small businesses to create more jobs.

“Entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the belief that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country,” Obama said in a statement. “And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs.” In February 2011 the President proposed $2billion in tax breaks.

“The Small Business Act defines a small business as one that is “independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation.” The Act also states that the definition of a small business shall vary from industry to industry.

” Such grants are designed to intentionally leave out large corporations because they already exercise a controlling or major influence on industries” according to businessGrants.org. http://www.businessgrants.org/small_business_grants_vs_minority_business_grants.html

So why in 2010 did Koch Industry received 32 grants in 2010? I wonder did the Koch brothers get these grants as a ‘Thank You’ for all the contributions made to Republicans in the 2010 elections. The Koch Brothers getting grants remind me of rich Politicians like Michele Bachmann whose family gets farm subsidies. But like Bachman there are also a couple of other Republicans in Washington who get farm subsidies.

In 2010 Charles Koch made the top 5 2010 list for Richest American. His brother David Koch made the list as the top 6 Richest America. The Koch brother’s assets add up to $19 Billion.

According to Forbes Koch Industries is the largest Private Company in America. Besides Koch Industries the brothers own many several subsidiaries across the country, they employ at least 80,000 workers in 60 countries. Koch Industries owns many companies and share assets in other companies as well.

Koch industry probably out of any company in the history of this country has used money and power to influence Republican politics. From lobbying to Campaign contribution the Koch brothers are using their power to dictate and get what they want. Koch industry like last year and other years in the past can out right donate tons of money into political campaigns.
Unlike most business who is just struggling to stay a float Koch Industry flourishes. Unlike the American with a great ideal and a dream of owning his business, many are shut out from getting the money to achieve those dreams. I remember when African-American farmers in 2010 won a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture for being shut out of a lot of grant programs. We have grants
If you see below, these are the basic requirements for small business grants.
http://www.grants.gov/aboutgrants/eligibility.jsp

Small Businesses

“Small business loans and small business grants may be awarded to companies that meet the size standards that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established for most industries in the economy. The most common size standards are as follows:
500 employees for most manufacturing and mining industries
100 employees for all wholesale trade industries
$6 million for most retail and service industries
$28.5 million for most general & heavy construction industries
$12 million for all special trade contractors
$0.75 million for most agricultural industries

Note that about one-fourth of industries have a size standard that is different from these levels. They vary from $0.75 million to $28.5 million for size standards based on average annual revenues and from 100 to 1500 employees for size standards based on number of employees.

With few exceptions, all federal agencies, and many state and local governments, use the size standards established by SBA. You can search for further information and for loan opportunities on the Small Business Administration’s website.

Maybe it’s me, but I wouldn’t consider Koch Industry anything near a Small Business Administration.”

SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program
http://www.sio.org/html/sba.html

“The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee Program, with cooperation from the surety industry, assists small construction companies in obtaining required bonds on federal, state, local, and commercial construction projects and on service and supply contracts and subcontracts. Small and emerging contractors grow by increasing contracting opportunities, especially in public sector construction. Many surety bond companies recognize the importance of providing bonds to small, minority, and emerging contractors and have developed programs to assist them.”

How do Billionaires, Top Rich Americans Koch brothers get 32 grants in 2010 totaling over a million dollars that are for small businesses and minorities? And we wonder why the Mom and Pop businesses, those trying to get businesses started, and small businesses that are trying to make improvements and pay their employees suffer, when we got Billionaires asking for a hand-out, and behind close doors are sending massive donations to Republican campaigns, PACs, and lobbying all at the same time.

Full list available on link