| − | A '''Chamber of Commerce''' is a local private organization that supports civic activism and economic growth in the community. Its members are local businesses and not-for profit organizations (such as hospitals and universities). It represents "[[Main Street]]" (that is, locally owned businesses, but also includes branches of national chains. | + | A '''Chamber of Commerce''' is an increasingly [[liberal]] organization beholden to big businesses that do little to create new jobs. Although historically the Chamber of Chamber was devoted to civic activism and economic growth in the community, like many organizations it has been taken over by a liberal-leaning agenda that benefits only a select few. The Chamber no longer truly represents "[[Main Street]]" as it once did, and an endorsement by the Chamber of a political candidate is often a sign that he has become beholden to big business. |
| − | Typical activities include industrial and commercial development and expansion, and dealing with problems connected with agriculture, transportation, publicity, labor force upgrading and education, charity solicitation (community chests), regulation and promotion of trade, and commercial arbitration. They sponsor statistical surveys and run websites promoting the city as an ideal location for potential business relocation. The chamber is usually linked closely to local politics, with overlapping membership with other civic organizations such as Rotary. The chambers often work with state government on issues of taxation and revenue, as well as subsidies for business that relocate there (or remain there with a subsidy, such as reduced taxes). Above all the chamber is a booster for the community. | + | Typical political positions of the Chamber include support for amnesty for illegal immigrants (to keep wages down), industrial and commercial development and expansion, and dealing with problems connected with agriculture, transportation, publicity, labor force upgrading and education, charity solicitation (community chests), regulation and promotion of trade, and commercial arbitration. They sponsor statistical surveys and run websites promoting the city as an ideal location for potential business relocation. The chamber is usually linked closely to local politics, with overlapping membership with other civic organizations such as Rotary. The chambers often work with state government on issues of taxation and revenue, as well as subsidies for business that relocate there (or remain there with a subsidy, such as reduced taxes). Above all the chamber is a booster for the community. |
| | The Chamber of Commerce of New York is the oldest such organization in America; it was based on the British model and its original charter came from King George III in 1768. Most commercial cities around the world have one or more Chambers, often oriented to export trade. | | The Chamber of Commerce of New York is the oldest such organization in America; it was based on the British model and its original charter came from King George III in 1768. Most commercial cities around the world have one or more Chambers, often oriented to export trade. |