Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the Campaign for Free Enterprise, a multifaceted effort to drive job creation in the private sector. Showing the power of an association to be an economic driver, the campaign has a goal of creating 20 million jobs over the next decade, replacing the 7 million lost during the current recession and creating 13 million more needed, according to the Chamber, to spur development in the next decade. The campaign’s website notes that it aims to spur development in tandem with government efforts at short-term stimulus of the economy.
The campaign is beginning with a major television, radio, and internet ad campaign designed to gain attention and support for the effort. The Chamber also seeks to gain young professional support through social networking and specific events, plus hold think tank events and seminars to design best economic practices. For the politically minded, the campaign site has a grassroots list that people can join to support “free enterprise principles.”
Visitors to the campaign site (http://www.freeenterpriseamerica.com/) can participate by signing a Free Enterprise Pledge, uploading videos about their free enterprise experiences, and signing up to attend forums in their community. The site also has the traditional social networking tools to allow information on the campaign to be spread easily.
“This campaign isn’t about partisan politics–it’s about preserving the American Dream for this and future generations through low taxation, reasonable regulations, a doubling of American exports, and free and vibrant capital markets,” wrote Chamber CEO Tom Donohue in an online editorial. The campaign has also received coverage in The Hill, Roll Call (subscription), and CNN.
Quick Hits
The White House sends staff to Congressional health care negotiations to represent the president’s views… The Congressional Budget Office discusses the costs and savings of climate change legislation… Some Democrats reconsider health care proposals that would affect insurance companies and threaten to enact tougher policies.
