Business for Shared Prosperity

By ubetchaiam
Firedoglake Seminal, March 4, 2010

We have all heard about the political pull the Chamber of Commerce has.

Well,here’s a little tidbit I came across: "The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, which supports a strong CFPA, has more members than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which does not. The U.S. Women’s Chamber has 500,000 members, most of them small businesses, while the U.S. Chamber has only 300,000 members."

"The reckless practices of our financial industry have devastated businesses, families and our economy," said U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce CEO Margot Dorfman. "Banks that profited from predatory lending are choking businesses now by cutting lines of credit or pulling them entirely for firms that have been in business for decades. It is time for Congressional leaders to support the financial protection and wellbeing of all Americans by establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Agency."

"While the big financial institutions were saved by the government, small businesses don’t have that luxury," said Lya Sorano, founder of Atlanta Women in Business. "We need real financial reform to alleviate the severe pressure on small businesses now and prevent a future meltdown. In the 1990’s, Washington made the mistake of not listening to Brooksley Born, whose attempts as head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to regulate the derivatives markets were thwarted every step of the way. We need to make sure we don’t make the same mistake today by failing to establish a strong, independent CFPA."

A recent survey of more than 1,200 small business owners from 13 states by the Main Street Alliance found that 67 percent of respondents support the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

And here is a list of those who have signed a statement wanting a strong,independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency
http://businessforsharedprosperity.org/Financial+Reform/CFPA/Business+St...

And here is Senator Feinstein’s response to my letter complaining about the Chamber of commerce acting as a front group for AHIP,etc. in advertising and lobbying:

"I have received your letter expressing concern about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I appreciate the time you took to write and welcome the opportunity to respond.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the country. I understand that you believe it is engaging in inappropriate lobbying and campaign activities to oppose legislation to address climate change and to reform health care. While I disagree with the Chamber on these issues, clearly all lobbying organizations should operate in an ethical manner. I will be sure to keep your concerns in mind as I work with all parties on legislation to help California and the Nation."

So, obviously, the Senator is mistaken; guess she took their word just like she took Roberts word that he would honor stare decsis.

More to the point, whenever the Chamber of Commerce touts themselves as the ‘largest business organization’ or when a Senator or Representative does the same, we need to be pointing out to them their ignorance and point them to the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

The sexism runs deep doesn’t it?

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/33327