David Koch’s death last week set off a new round of chatter about his and his brother’s impact on U.S. politics. But before the Kochs, there were the Pews
Anointed With Oil: How Christianity and Crude Made Modern AmericaFirst, the brothers made a fortune in oil; then, they used it to attack the Democratic president eager to regulate their industry and to elect conservative candidates. They wanted to drive the moderates out of their party, and their money made sure that happened.David Koch’s death last week set off a new round of chatter about his and his brother’s impact on U.S. politics.
The Pews’ political ambition was driven by two bitter hatreds: Of Franklin D. Roosevelt and of the Rockefeller family. Howard lectured widely to rally his peers. His most popular sermon was “The Oil Industry: A Living Monument to the American System of Free Enterprise,” which praised oilmen’s free-market heritage and painted their wars with New Dealers as a life struggle for America’s soul. “The persistent effort to bring industry, business, commerce and enterprise under government domination is a flat denial of all the lessons of the century and a half of the industrial age,” he inveighed.
over the same time period. But the Pews could coax little return. In 1940, wanting a no-nonsense conservative like Ohio Senator Robert Taft to take the reins of the party as the presidential nominee, they were stuck instead with Wendell Willkie, a Democrat-turned-Republican centrist who spurned them.
With their coffers full of federal dollars, the Pews could expand their influence in other ways, with Howard in the lead. In 1947, after 35 years of bullish leadership, during which his company grew 40 times over, Howard resigned as Sun’s president; Joseph did so the same day. As chairman of the Board, Howard would continue to oversee corporate expansion, but going forward he would focus on fighting progressivism in politics, philanthropy, and church pulpits and pews.
Pew held nothing back when bankrolling allies who would help defend Christian libertarianism. During the 1950s he sent huge checks to agencies that shared his laissez-faire faith. Besides giving generously to Spiritual Mobilization, a Los Angeles–based libertarian lobby, and the Christian Freedom Foundation , based in New York, Pew reached out to same-thinking Catholics. Familiar, no doubt, with William F. Buckley, Sr.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China, US kick off new round of tariffs in trade warChina imposed additional tariffs on some of the US goods on a $75-billion target list while the Trump administration's latest round of tariffs on Chinese imports has taken effect early Sunday.
Read more »
China, U.S. kick off new round of tariffs on each other's goodsChina and the United States began imposing additional tariffs on each other&039...
Read more »
N.Y. Republicans rush to challenge indicted incumbent Collins in deep red districtA potentially bitter conflict is brewing among Republicans in New York’s reddest congressional district. Rep. Chris Collins’ indictment on insider trading charges and pending trial on corruption charges has the party worried.
Read more »
Louisiana Teen Hilariously Surprises Younger Brother at Bus Stop with Different Costumes Every DayLouisiana teen hilariously surprises younger brother at bus stop with different costumes every day
Read more »
Texas gunman fired from job before massacre; victim IDs emerge: mediaThe man who killed seven people and wounded 22 others in a rolling rampage acros...
Read more »