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Chamber Of Commerce Supports Government Spending, But Runs Pro-GOP Ads Attacking ‘Big Government’

By Josh Israel on Feb 13, 2012 at 3:45 pm

Chamber of Commerce ad attacking "Big Government"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a multi-state voter “education” ad blitz late last week. Tom Donohue, the group’s president and CEO, says the ads focus on a simple question: “Is big government or free enterprise the solution to our country’s economic problems?”

The blitz features an array of 30-second TV spots aimed at bucking up vulnerable Republican incumbents, supporting GOP House and Senate hopefuls, and criticizing Democrats. One spot supports Blue Dog Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT).

But there is a large element of hypocrisy and contradiction in the spots. One typical ad praises former Sen. George Allen (R-VA), who was defeated in 2006 following his infamous bullying of an Indian-American campaign tracker who he called “macaca” and is seeking his party’s nomination for the same senate seat this November. The narrator says:

Big government isn’t going to help the American recovery. We need to focus on jobs to get our economy back on track. In the Senate, George Allen supported tax cuts that spurred economic growth. He supports a Balanced Budget Amendment. And as Virginia’s governor, Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support. Call George Allen. Tell him to keep fighting to promote Virginia jobs.

Watch the ad:

But the Chamber has a selective memory. It was a leading proponent of President Obama’s 2009 stimulus legislation promising that the tax cuts and even many of law’s spending provisions would “provide stimulus and get Americans back to work.” Allen has called the law a “jobless stimulus.”

Though the measure passed almost entirely along party lines, the Chamber spent millions in 2010 to defeat the Democrats who backed the bill — and some of that money may have come from foreign businesses. The $789 billion law has been the largest increase in spending in the Obama presidency.

A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget would have rendered this stimulus bill — and the preservation of the Allen-backed tax cuts that the Chamber claims spurred growth — impossible.

But even if three years is too long ago for the Chamber to remember, one would think they could remember back to last week. For just as the group blitzed Americans with messages that a smaller government was a panacea to solve the woes of a demonstrably improving economy, its own “Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition” launched an ad last week calling for more federal government spending on transportation. With clips of President Ronald Reagan, the spot demands “new investments in transportation to keep America moving and jobs growing.” That would likely mean more “big government.”

Health

Chamber Of Commerce Drops Call For Health Care Repeal From Annual Policy Address

By Igor Volsky on Jan 13, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Tom Donohue signaled that the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce may be softening its attacks against President Obama’s signature accomplishments like the Affordable Care Act and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Kevin Hall reports that Donohue is pledging a “wait-and-see approach” towards the new agency and has not decided if the organization will challenge the recess appointment of Richard Cordray as its director.

During his annual State of the Business address yesterday, Donohue also adopted a more moderate tone towards health care reform. “The health care law established 159 new agencies, panels, commissions, and regulatory bodies,” Donohue said, but did not echo his 2011 call for repealing the law in its entirety. Consider the contrast:

DONOHUE IN 2011: By mid-December, HHS had already granted 222 waivers to the law—a revealing acknowledgement that the law is unworkable. And, with key provisions under challenge in the courts by states and others, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

Last year, while strongly advocating health care reform, the Chamber was a leader in the fight against this particular bill—and thus we support legislation in the House to repeal it. We see the upcoming House vote as an opportunity for everyone to take a fresh look at health care reform—and to replace unworkable approaches with more effective measures that will lower costs, expand access, and improve quality.

Indeed, the Chamber of Commerce spent millions opposing the legislation in 2010 and its rather light criticism of the measure may signal a growing acceptance of reform among the health care industry. The Obama administration has worked hard to accomodate the concerns of health care stakeholders in the implementation process and the industry has partnered with the government in developing some of the law’s regulatory structure.

Health care groups may also be opposed to the politics of repeal. While the GOP presidential candidates have pledged to eliminate the law “on day one,” unless Republicans win a 60 seat majority in the Senate, a president will not be able to get rid of the measure in its entirety. The Senate could pursue repeal through the reconciliation process, but that piecemeal approach would likely create great uncertainty for the industry and is unlikely to attract significant support.

Green

Tom Donohue Pushes Civilization-Ending Pollution Agenda In Chamber Of Commerce Annual Address

By Brad Johnson on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:56 am

Tom Donohue

This morning, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue argued that “free enterprise” requires a future of accelerated, unending global warming. Supporting expanded fracking, shale oil, and tar sands development including the Keystone XL pipeline, Donohue said that the United States should burn hundreds of billions of tons of fossil fuels for hundreds of years:

We have 1.4 trillion barrels of oil, enough to last at least 200 years. We have 2.7 quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to last 120 years. We have 486 billion tons of coal, enough to last more than 450 years—and we need to use more of this strategic resource cleanly and wisely here at home while selling it around the world.

Burning that amount of fossil fuel would generate 444 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from the oil, 135 billion tons from the natural gas, and 1.258 trillion tons from the coal. To maintain a climate compatible with civilization all of humanity needs to limit future greenhouse pollution to less than 650 billion tons.

Far from “keeping the American Dream alive for generation after generation,” as Donohue claims, his promotion of catastrophic global warming would grant a diminished, deadly world to future generations.

Read Donohue’s remarks promoting the destruction of civilization:
Read more

Climate Progress

One Trillionth Dollar Invested in Clean Energy in 2011: Will American Business Capture the Second Trillion?

By Stephen Lacey on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:33 am

Today, two opposing visions are being crafted for the future of American jobs, international competitiveness and environmental stewardship.

This morning in Washington, DC, Tom Donohue, president of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke about his organization’s vision for job creation. Focusing heavily on tearing down environmental regulations building up the Keystone XL pipeline in their place, the Chamber of Commerce is putting all its chips in fossil fuels — pushing a backward vision for the energy future of America that pushes us further away from addressing climate change.

“Our nation is on the cusp of an energy boom that is already creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, revitalizing entire communities, and reinvigorating American manufacturing,” said Donohue. But what did he mean?

“Unconventional oil and natural gas development,” which he called “the next big thing.”

Of course, nothing about renewable energy and nothing about climate change — quickly becoming two of the most important drivers for business decisions in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, in New York City, hundreds of global investors representing a cumulative portfolio worth tens of trillions of dollars are meeting at the United Nations to discuss ongoing trends in sustainable investing and highlight why strong government support of clean energy technologies is so important for driving activity in the private sector.

So which vision is America going to choose? The vision from the Chamber of Commerce — which has seen some of the most forward-thinking companies like Apple and Yahoo quit the organization due to its aggressive prevention of action on climate change?

Or the vision of hundreds of investors who say embracing renewable energy, efficiency and conservation “will yield substantial economic benefits including creating new jobs and businesses, stimulating technological innovation, and providing a robust foundation for economic recovery and sustainable long-term economic growth”?

The roads are starting to diverge. In 2011, global investment in renewable energy surpassed fossil fuels for the first time.

With record low natural gas prices, financial distress hitting countries across the world, and a very mature, incumbent fossil fuel infrastructure to compete with, it’s still an incredibly difficult uphill battle for renewable energy. But new investment figures released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance at today’s UN investor summit show continued progress in spite of the continued head winds.

According to BNEF, global investments in renewables reached a new record of $260 billion in 2011, a modest 5% increase over 2010. However, those investment figures are roughly five times what they were in 2004. Last year also saw the one trillionth dollar invested in the sector since tracking began seven years ago:

Read more

Climate Progress

Debunking the Myths of Tom Donohue and the U.S. Chamber of Pollution

By Climate Guest Blogger on Jan 12, 2012 at 8:22 am

by Jorge Madrid and Arpita Bhattacharyya

From the EPA to the Keystone pipeline, the Chamber of Commerce has left no stone unturned in their quest to pit economic growth against the environment and public health.  This morning’s “State of American Business Address” by the Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, Thomas J. Donohue, will likely repeat the barrage of misleading statements.

Here are five pieces of misleading rhetoric to listen for and the facts that prove them wrong.

1. Environmental regulations hurt businesses’ bottom line.

“We wholeheartedly share this and previous administrations’ goals of protecting public health and the environment, but the rushed implementation of this rule could undermine the nation’s economic recovery.” (Tom Donohue, 12/22/11, on EPA Utility MACT)

FACT: Illness and missed days of work are bad for business productivity and overall bottom line, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs with fewer than 20 employees.  We know from the EPA’s peer-reviewed analysis that U.S. clean air protections from particulates and smog alone prevented 13 million missed work days IN 2010, and are projected to prevent 17 million lost days of productivity in 2020.  This increased productivity does not include the benefits from the Cross State and Air Toxics Reductions rules that will lower smog, acid rain, and toxic pollution from power plants.  It also does not take into account the added healthcare costs that clean air regulations have prevented (in the ballpark of $2 trillion by 2020).

2. Environmental regulations stall investment and create uncertainty for businesses.

Question: Why are U.S. companies sitting on so much money?

Donohue: “Uncertainty. Businesses have questions about energy costs. Tell me about the EPA stuff? What about labor regulations? Are the consumers there? What are the trade-offs?” (12/19/11, PJStar)

FACT:  Blocking or delaying the newly promulgated power plant pollution reduction rules would almost certainly increase uncertainty for utilities and thus stall new investments in cleaner and more efficient equipment, resulting in fewer jobs created.  Constellation Energy, the largest wholesale and retail power seller in the country, has already invested in a $885 million installation that has vastly reduced emissions from two giant coal-burning units. By delaying these rules that have been in the works since the second Bush Administration, we are creating uncertainty, harming business, and creating unfair advantages for the “free-riders” who pollute without consequence.

3. The Keystone XL pipeline is a magic bullet for creating tens of thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of jobs.

“The pipeline project is expected to create more than 20,000 high-paying construction and manufacturing jobs in the near term and more than 250,000 permanent jobs in the long run”. (Press Release, 7/22/11)

FACT: There are glaring discrepancies in the job creation numbers reported by both TransCanada and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Yet, an independent analysis, conducted by Cornell University, found that between 500 and 1,400 temporary construction jobs will be created, with a negative long-term economic impact as gas prices rise in the Midwest.  Further, the State Department’s analysis finds that the project will create no more than 2,500-4,650 temporary direct construction jobs, and that TransCanada and the Chamber’s job claims are “not substantiated.”

Read more

Green

‘Don’t Be Evil’ Google CEO Eric Schmidt Laughs Off Petitition To Leave U.S. Chamber Of Commerce

By Brad Johnson on Dec 15, 2011 at 5:30 pm

During an appearance at New York University on Wednesday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt was asked to respond to a 200,000-person petition calling on the Internet giant to leave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Google, whose official motto is “Don’t Be Evil,” officially disagrees with the right-wing lobbying behemoth on climate change, Internet regulation, intellectual property rights, LGBT rights, privacy rights, net neutrality, and women’s rights, yet continues to fund the Chamber’s radical agenda. The new activist organization SumOfUs has launched the Google Quit The Chamber campaign to get Google to act consistent with its supposed values.

Admitting that he knew about the petition effort, Schmidt said that the “Chamber of Commerce has helped us in some areas.” As an example, the Chamber helped him in a dispute over meeting the Chinese prime minister. He said this work was “representing good American values.” With a chuckle, Schmidt said that Google will “see what happens” with the SumOfUs petition:

There are plenty of things we disagree with them on. But I’ll let the petition continue (chuckle), and see what happens.

Watch it:

“Where is Eric Schmidt’s moral compass?” SumOfUs President Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman responded in a statement to ThinkProgress. “The Chamber of Commerce represents the opposite of ‘good American values’ –- not to mention Google’s values. Hundreds of thousands of Google users have made it clear that the Chamber of Commerce’s wars on internet freedom, LGBT and women’s rights, the climate, financial reform, good jobs, and much more are morally incompatible with our own values and with the values of Google’s employees. We call on Eric Schmidt to clarify exactly which ‘good American values’ he believes the Chamber of Commerce represents — and to get Google out of the Chamber immediately. The Chamber’s policies are, frankly, evil. Google, abide by your own principles and don’t be evil.”

NEWS FLASH

US Chamber Gloats About Keystone XL Poison-Pill Lobbying Spree | The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge to attach poison-pill Keystone XL tar sands legislation to the payroll tax cut extension bill, with a massive lobbying effort on behalf of the nation’s dirty oil businesses. “The Chamber created a coalition of pro-Keystone XL Pipeline partners across the United States,” the Hill reported. That story about corporate corruption of our nation’s politics and health was posted on the US Chamber website and Twitter feed, a promotion of the pay-for-play services they provide as the world’s largest right-wing lobbying shop. The Chamber is one the of the key lobbying groups behind the other payroll poison pill, legislation to block Boiler MACT rules that would reduce mercury, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous air pollutants.

NEWS FLASH

U.S. Chamber Of Commerce To Host RNC Holiday Party | Next Thursday, the Republican National Committee will hold its annual holiday party at the supposedly non-partisan U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Though the Chamber of Commerce has tried to assert its independence, events like this reinforce the notion that, as Politico’s Ken Vogel notes, the corporate trade association might “be thought of as a GOP arm.” In 2010, the Chamber was the top outside spending group, buying over $32 million worth of advertising, almost exclusively backing Republicans. The invite:

Green

U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Attacks Sen. Sherrod Brown On Behalf Of Big Oil

By Rebecca Leber on Nov 16, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce aired its first ads for 2012, launching its familiar attack on behalf of big oil. The ads running in six states have a common drumbeat – repeal regulation and lower corporate taxes, even at the cost of the environment and public health. One ad singles out Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), in which the chamber claims Brown skipped on “the chance to help cut energy costs” and tried to “increase energy taxes“:

The chamber ads try to put a chill on Brown by emphasizing the coming heating bills for Ohio residents. The spot opens with a hand adjusting a thermostat as an announcer intones, “Energy costs are expected to rise,” then hits Brown for “voting to increase energy taxes.” It closes by urging viewers to “call Sherrod Brown. Tell him Ohioans need economic help, not higher energy taxes.”

Watch it:

By “energy” the Chamber means “oil.” In the two votes cited in the ad, Brown took a clean-energy stand: He opposed a GOP bill that would hasten and expand offshore oil drilling, in spite of the BP disaster last year. Also, Brown’s so-called attempt to increase taxes refers to his co-sponsorship of a bill to close $4 billion in big oil tax loopholes.

The chamber’s attack on common-sense green positions isn’t new. The chamber has a long history of trying to advance loose policy on toxic pollution, lower taxes on polluters, and a weakened Clean Air Act. It has had a fair share of controversy, especially, for denying global warming: In the past few years, it’s lost large corporate members including Apple, Pacific Gas & Electric and Exelon (and Nike as a board member) for differences on climate policy.

Update

Media Matters further debunks the US Chamber of Commerce’s oil ad.

NEWS FLASH

Microsoft Funds Koch’s Climate-Denying Tea Party Conference | Microsoft Corporation, which argues that climate pollution requires a “comprehensive and global response,” is sponsoring the Koch brothers’ Tea Party convention taking place in Washington, DC. Microsoft is a “gold sponsor” of the Americans For Prosperity Foundation’s fifth annual Defending The American Dream Summit, cheek and jowl with top climate denial front groups like the Heartland Institute, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Speakers at the conference include climate deniers Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Ken Cuccinelli, Ann McElhinney, Chris Horner, Myron Ebell, and Carly Fiorina. Their prominent involvement was captured in a photograph by Slate.com reporter Dave Wiegel.

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