Defending Free Enterprise, US Chamber to Launch Major Campaign

(This article originally ran in the US Chamber's Magazine)

Rapid government expansion and increased taxes, regulations, entitlements, debt, and attacks by anti-business activists--all are evidence that the American free enterprise system is faced with unprecedented challenges.

A new U.S. Chamber initiative, the Campaign for Free Enterprise, will rally small businesses, local chambers, policymakers, and the general public to stand up for free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity.

"It's time to remind all Americans that it was a free enterprise system based on individual initiative, hard work, risk, innovation, and profit that built our great country," says Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue. "We must reaffirm the spirit of enterprise in America."

The campaign, which will formally launch this fall, will include:

* Grassroots outreach to the Chamber membership.

* A vigorous media, new media, and public education program with a special focus on the economic literacy of younger Americans.

* A highly visible national paid media advertising effort.

* Education of governors and mayors on the avalanche of new rules, restrictions, mandates, and taxes that could seriously undermine the wealth and job-creating capacity of small businesses in their areas.

* An aggressive issue advocacy program, leading up to the 2010 elections, to educate citizens on the critical economic issues facing our country.

* Ongoing public opinion research.

* Gatherings of academics and thought leaders to build the intellectual argument for free enterprise, open capital markets, and global engagement.

* Lobbying to defend free enterprise values and to advance pro-growth legislation, and, where necessary, taking legal action to challenge unconstitutional and unlawful government regulations.

The Chamber is urging its members to sign up online to become a supporter of the campaign. Supporters will receive ongoing updates on ways to participate, including contacting lawmakers, attending events at state and local chambers nationwide, and taking part in surveys and polls on policy, regulations, and the state of the economy.

Join the campaign at http://www.uschambermagazine.com/freeenterprise/.