I’ve received the following statement from Charles G. Koch in response to Warren Buffett’s New York Times op-ed, which called on government to “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.” To my knowledge, you’re reading it here first:
“Much of what the government spends money on does more harm than good; this is particularly true over the past several years with the massive uncontrolled increase in government spending. I believe my business and non-profit investments are much more beneficial to societal well-being than sending more money to Washington. — Charles G. Koch, Chairman and CEO, Koch Industries, Inc.
I would only add, as others already have, that if Buffett and his “mega-rich” friends don’t think private philanthropy will do as much good as public spending, they are free to send as much money to the Treasury as they like.