58 comments on General Jones and the Chamber of Commerce Energy Plan
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58 comments on General Jones and the Chamber of Commerce Energy Plan
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Ugh. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is an official-sounding organization that many people think is part of the federal government but nothing of the sort. It is wholly funded by corporate interests.
"A powerful business lobbying group" http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S._Chamber_of_Commerce
Anybody remember seeing the ubiquitous Dr. Richard L. Lesher of the US CoC on every other talking head show years ago?
Well actually I thought it had something to do with the local Chambers of Commerce that are a functioning part of local communities. Yes they bring businesses together and have "corporate" interests, but if we are going to do anything about future energy supply, won't this require that some of those corporations be involved in the process?
Our local CoC is, by its nature, made up of the local (and generally small) business owners in our community. These are, in the end, some of the folk that you are going to have to convince to change, if that change is going to be effective. To suggest that there aren't strong business interests pushing from both sides in the debate over change is to gloss over the impacts that the ethanol companies have had in national policies in the past, and the role that solar and wind interests will likely have in the near future. After all there are a fair number of people who are pushing the global warming argument that are actually employed in aspects of that industry (as it has now become). Just because one is employed in, or has received money from, an organization does not disqualify one from having a valid opinion that should be heard.
I think the local CoC's are a way better bet than the "national" U.S. CoC. There is no trademark on "Chamber of Commerce" so anyone can form one. The way it works is that businesses sign up for membership in the U.S. CoC so they can contribute to a lobbying union that is fighting against such issues as worker's union formation (i.e. the badly named "card check" inititative). The local variants may or may not be associated with the U.S. CoC but in most cases they have a transitive association since some local business probably contributes to the U.S. CoC.
How about the Green Chamber of Commerce instead?
http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/
The Green Chamber of Commerce will:
* Strengthen the voice and political influence of businesses united to create green public policy and a sustainable economy.
* Actively work to conserve natural resources, eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and reverse global warming.
* Extend the ideas, best practices and influence of green businesses large and small.
* Increase awareness of the unprecedented opportunities in the emerging green economy.
* Promote the interests of businesses that are committed to measuring their success in terms of benefit to people, planet and profit.
* Work with existing organizations in their efforts to create green, sustainable business models.
* Help businesses and the general public learn what they can do to support a healthy environment.
* Provide networking opportunities for green businesses.
* Provide promotional opportunities for members
* Encourage awareness of the relationship between social responsibility and green business practices.
Well it is partly because the guy who wrote the CoC version is going to be National Security Advisor, and partly because if there is going to be change, getting the entire industry involved, rather than just those who are primarily motivated to the green agenda could be more productive.
Indeed James Jones is a figurehead in the U.S. CoC organization as president of the Institute for 21st Century Energy. His bio there says he serves as chairman of three boards of directors. He is also on the board of directors of Boeing and Chevron.
So he continues on with the tradition of the military-industrial complex. Or else he is simply a figurehead.
I don't understand the downratings. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has recently (maybe always) been a very close fellow traveler with the government. Many people confuse the Department of Commerce with the Chamber of Commerce -- and just possibly, that confusion is promoted at some level.
The Green Chamber of Commerce is a great idea, but it can't hope to supplant the powerful corporate lobby of the USCoC. Infiltration would be good.
From the document:
This comes across as another pitch for subsidies and de- regulation. Not surprising, considering the source.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S._Chamber_of_Commerce
The great thrust of the USCC has heen to close the courts to persons injured by business products or professional malpractice.
I think it's too early to consider this pitch as being any kind of Obama administration 'plan'. If I'm wrong and it is ... then circumstances will render it irrelevant.