Koch Fundees: Who's Koch?

The Koch brothers have been accused of funding of free-market groups for personal gain, but many of their fundees have never even heard of the family.

Charles and David Koch helped to found, and continue to fund, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) - a group known for its conservative grassroots efforts and links to the tea party movement.

The spotlight has been on the organization recently, especially with the recent publication of Jane Mayer’s New Yorker article, an article that was especially critical of the group. One of major arguments of the article was that the Kochs were using grassroots organizations like AFP to advance their personal business interests.

Attendees of the Americans for Prosperity summit currently underway in Washington, D.C. seemed unaware of the controversy. Out of dozens interviewed, none even knew who Charles or David Koch was.

Neither was there any problem the idea that ‘big oil’ helped fund Americans for Prosperity. “I’m for big oil. That’s what makes capitalism work,” said Hubert Combs, from Greensboro, North Carolina.

“If their interests in oil coincide with our interests in the constitution, fine!” added Charles Mirkert of Purcellville, VA.

Presented with the notion that the Kochs may be using grassroots organizations to reduce regulations and profit personally, attendees seemed unfazed.

“The only reason it would be bug me is if [the Kochs] were just doing it to promulgate his gains in the oil industry,” said conference participant Eleanor Lashley. “Some of the biggest acts of philanthropy are done by wealthy people. They’re allowed to have lofty ideals.”

“If in any way I felt that people were trying to indoctrinate me, I would be out of here in a heartbeat,” added Maurice Lashley. “I’m here to learn.”