Although historically the Koch network has supported mostly Republican candidates, Koch is sharply critical of both parties for what he views as out-of-control spending and corporate welfare. Sometimes he sounds like a liberal. Of Bernie Sanders' crusade against the power of corporations, he said, “a lot of what he says is true. The businesspeople who are successful haven’t become successful because they helped others improve their lives. It's because they helped rig the system.”
If the shackles of excessive regulation were removed, Koch said, the economy would grow by as much as 7 percent a year, leading to advances in education, healthcare and society's other pressing challenges. "Look at agriculture. Look at climate. If we had that kind of technology and that kind of wealth, the ones who get hurt by bad climate are the poorest countries who can't deal with it," he said.
On Feb. 4, Koch said through a spokesman that he believes that unbridled innovation could solve many of the world's challenges, including climate change. When he spoke of poor countries, however, he was referring to the impact of bad climate policies or programs, not the negative effects of climate change itself, according to James Davis of Freedom Partners.
Freedom Partners members, many of whom are owners of private companies, pay $100,000 to join the network. The twice- yearly seminars always take place amid heavy security at luxury resorts. Members often bring spouses and find time for golf in between meetings.
Since about 2010, Democrats such as Senator Harry Reid have attacked the Kochs, saying they have too much influence in U.S. politics and that they use it to advance their business interests. A recent book, Dark Money, by Jane Mayer, is the latest to take a critical look.
Koch alluded to the criticism in his opening remarks, saying he's had plenty of “garbage” thrown at him. Still, he exhorted his members to step out of the shadows and publicly advocate for the group's positions. “I've been identified lately, and it's not so bad. I'm still here. And matter of fact, I'm stronger than ever,” he said. “Come out and identify yourself, because this isn't some secret cabal.”
Tamra Farah, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one who has taken Koch's advice. After joining Freedom Partners with her husband, Barry, a tech executive, she decided to work full-time for Americans for Prosperity, the Kochs' largest activist network. She said she hasn't paid much attention to the current presidential race, and described going door-to-door in Colorado to build support for a repeal of President Barack Obama's health-care law. “We're in this for the long haul.”