Chamber of Commerce Groups Leaving the U. S. Chamber of Commerce

Given the U. S. Chamber of Commerce's activism in opposing progressive legislation and support for far right politicians (not to mention its apparent illegal use of foreign funds in U.S. campaigns), a growing number of local and regional chambers are dropping the affiliations with the national group. Think Progress has a story on this growing trend which includes the coverage of the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce's unhappiness with the national organization. Locally, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce leaves much to be desired - it seems to be over populated with the old guard and backed Taliban Bob McDonnell for governor last year. And in terms of diversity, based on its leadership it apparently doesn't grasp that LGBT businesses exist and/or ought to be promoted. Here are highlights from Think Progress an the growing defections from the national organization:
*
The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce in southern Connecticut is currently in discussions about whether to break from the ‘U.S.’ Chamber over disagreements about the national Chamber’s involvement in politics. Chamber Executive Director Tricia Cunningham said her organization, which currently pays dues to the national Chamber, has disagreements over the U.S. Chamber’s use of millions of corporate dollars this election season to lobby and advertise on national issues.
*
Tony Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, said his organization broke off its relationship with the U.S. Chamber last year. Sheridan said plainly, “My issue with the national chamber is their willingness to take a very narrow slice of a piece of complicated legislation – and it’s generally the most negative spin they’re taking, like health care, when we all know that the health-care system is broken – and claim that the sky is falling, instead of using the money to educate people.
*
Last week, the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire announced it is leaving the U.S. Chamber because it does not want to be associated with the national Chamber’s political ads in favor of Republican candidates. And in Virginia, the local Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has refused to endorse the political attack ads that the national Chamber is running in its area to defeat Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA).
*
The U.S. Chamber also attempts to present itself as an organization the represents mom and pop local businesses. In reality, as the New York Times noted this week, it is funded mostly by a small number of large multi-national corporations. . . . in 2008, the Chamber received the bulk of its donations from only 45 companies, including firms like Goldman Sachs, Edward Jones, Alpha Technologies, Chevron Texaco and Aegon.
*
According to the New York Times, other big donors include Dow Chemical ($1.7 million), Prudential Financial ($2 million), News Corporation ($1 million).