| − | 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. | + | A '''Chamber of Commerce''' is an increasingly [[liberal]] organization beholden to big business that does 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 a puppet for big business. |
| | 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. | | 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. |