Copyright (c) 2007 U.S. Chamber of Commerce /content/opinion.htm /content/080722.htm Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:28:08 GMT You cant say todays union leaders dont appreciate irony. /content/080715.htm Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:49:16 GMT Some in the business community--indeed, many of our citizens--are worried about the future. /content/080708.htm Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:14:05 GMT Underneath Americans joy and hoopla while celebrating the Fourth of July was deep-seated doubt about Americas ability to compete and win in a rapidly changing world. /content/080701.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:32:10 GMT A global energy summit held June 22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscored the essential role of international cooperation in meeting global energy demand. /content/0807_tt.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:25:16 GMT /content/0807_iyc.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:19:36 GMT /content/0807_9c.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:41:46 GMT /content/0807_5c.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:13:02 GMT /content/0807_3c.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:52:21 GMT /content/080624.htm Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:47:21 GMT The failure of the U.S. transportation network to meet the needs of a growing population and economy is already having an impact on everything from safety to the environment, from quality of life to economic growth. /content/080617.htm Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:14:02 GMT Its been a year since a hard fought, bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform plan collapsed in the United States Senate among much rancor and finger-pointing. /content/080610.htm Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:10:31 GMT Members of the U.S. Senate seriously weighed the price tag for the Climate Security Act--commonly known as the Lieberman-Warner bill--and decided not to even bring it up for a floor vote. /content/080603.htm Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:17:50 GMT In just one year, crude oil prices have soared from $65 per barrel to as high as $135. The price of gas is now $4 a gallon. /content/0806_iyc.htm Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:35:59 GMT /content/0806_5c.htm Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:19:40 GMT /content/0806_5a.htm Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:26:11 GMT /content/080527.htm Tue, 27 May 2008 13:56:40 GMT This week we examine how to build and maintain the best health care system in the world, improving access, quality, and affordability for all. /content/080520.htm Tue, 20 May 2008 14:11:16 GMT We are having the wrong conversation on health care in this country. Or, at best, an incomplete conversation. /content/080513.htm Tue, 13 May 2008 14:01:11 GMT Only a real policy wonk could hope to sort out the dizzying array of complex proposals to address global climate change--cap-and-trade, emission credits, carbon sequestration, etc. /content/080508.htm Thu, 08 May 2008 19:08:10 GMT /content/080506.htm Tue, 06 May 2008 16:05:12 GMT Sky-high oil and gas prices are socking Americans right in their wallets. /content/0805_iyc.htm Thu, 01 May 2008 13:56:33 GMT /content/0805_4b.htm Thu, 01 May 2008 15:28:26 GMT /content/080429.htm Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:31:07 GMT Americans are so focused on competition among nations in the worldwide economy, they often forget that each of the 50 United States are competing with each other for jobs, workers, and resources. /content/080422.htm Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:30:30 GMT Small business owners are Americas unsung heroes. /content/080415.htm Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:34:06 GMT If you think theres never anything worthwhile on television anymore, think again. Illicit truly is -must see TV.- /content/080408.htm Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:48:22 GMT Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson recently announced a sweeping plan to overhaul the rules and structures governing our financial markets. /content/080401.htm Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:48 GMT Everyone from Al Gore to Environmental Defense has been very effective in raising the alarm about global climate change and framing a convenient villain (usually some variation of -big American business-). /content/0804_iyc.htm Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:58:55 GMT /content/0804_5c.htm Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:37:29 GMT /content/080325.htm Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:14:44 GMT Last week I delivered a speech in Michigan, a state some are writing off as an economic basket case. /content/080318.htm Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:37:00 GMT The subprime crisis and credit crunch have rejuvenated a public dialogue about the regulation of the U.S. capital markets. /content/080311.htm Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:41:30 GMT Policymakers and the public have a range of views about how we should respond to climate change--and so does the business community. /content/080304.htm Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:50:30 GMT What do Americans say they want from free trade agreements? /content/0803_iyc.htm Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:10:41 GMT /content/080226.htm Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:58:40 GMT For too long, Americas education system has failed to equip students with the knowledge they need to make good financial decisions. /content/080219.htm Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:18:46 GMT Some of you thought I gave trial lawyers a bad rap in my piece two weeks ago about how the business community was challenging attempts by the plaintiffs bar to stack state supreme courts with plaintiff-friendly judges. /content/080212.htm Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:53:23 GMT While the major candidates have relatively detailed education platforms on their web sites, they are not speaking about them publicly or making them a priority of their campaigns. /content/080205.htm Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:52:47 GMT There has been increasing whining from trial lawyers about the impact of -interest group politics- on state supreme court elections. /content/0802_iyc.htm Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:52:38 GMT /content/0802_7c.htm Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:02:15 GMT /content/0802_5c.htm Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:41:39 GMT /content/080129.htm Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:15:38 GMT Trade and globalization have become scapegoats for all of our economic woes, from lost jobs to lower wages. /content/080122.htm Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:51:37 GMT The -Wall Street Journal- ran a story last week that should be a wake-up call to the business community. /content/080115.htm Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:55:06 GMT While the fundamentals of our economy and society remain strong, our future is clouded by Washingtons failure to seriously address the core competitive challenges that will drive growth, opportunity, and prosperity in the 21st century. /content/080108.htm Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:56:04 GMT /content/0801_iyc.htm Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:09:42 GMT /content/0801_5c.htm Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:35:29 GMT /content/071218.htm Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:47:43 GMT This week we look at five guidelines for reform that can help our education systems become more accountable, rigorous, innovative, and focused on achievement. /content/071211.htm Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:55:07 GMT Despite its fundamental importance to our society and way of life, weve lost our way on education. /content/071204.htm Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:04:32 GMT In the last two weeks weve examined the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. health care system. Weve noted that America is home to some of the finest medical facilities, technologies, innovations, treatments, and human talent. /content/0712_6e.htm Sat, 01 Dec 2007 21:19:02 GMT /content/0712_3pov.htm Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:12:50 GMT /content/0712_3iyc.htm Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:08:40 GMT /content/071127.htm Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:20:06 GMT Our health care system has achieved many outstanding results, including adding 30 years to Americans life spans in the last century. Despite its accomplishments, it has many significant shortcomings. /content/071120.htm Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:14:49 GMT Over the past few months, Ive written often about the competitive challenges facing our economy in todays global world-challenges like energy, infrastructure, legal reform, education, and immigration. /content/071114.htm Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:38:33 GMT /content/071113.htm Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:18:00 GMT You would think Congress could devise some serious solutions to Americas energy crisis. Think again. /content/071106.htm Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:29:39 GMT How did we get to this point? We have allowed a deeply flawed legal system to infect and alter our democratic form of government, our civic life, and our character as a people. /content/0711_8a.htm Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:44:21 GMT Health care issues are heating up on the presidential campaign trail and in the halls of Congress. The U.S. Chamber is a strong advocate of more affordable health care and a foe of mandates-and costs-imposed on businesses. /content/0711_3pov.htm Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:03:32 GMT /content/0711_3iyc.htm Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:55:09 GMT /content/071030.htm Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:49:03 GMT One important competitive challenge that is often overlooked is the radical agenda of todays big labor movement. /content/071023.htm Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:34:46 GMT While the jury is still out on whether Congress will heed this call, one aspect lost in the debate is how we spend the infrastructure money we currently have, and how we should spend any additional funds. /content/071016.htm Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:52:49 GMT Through the middle of this year, no fewer than 1,400 pieces of legislation related to immigration had been introduced among the 50 state legislatures. /content/071009.htm Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:49:44 GMT So what can we do to create the worlds most efficient, transparent, and attractive markets? /content/071002.htm Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:02:11 GMT The subprime mortgage crisis caused a temporary paralysis in the credit markets and led some to speculate that the economy would soon slide into recession. /content/0710_8b.htm Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:41:46 GMT /content/0710_3iyc.htm Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:41:23 GMT /content/0710_3fo.htm Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:41:20 GMT /content/0710_10e.htm Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:41:51 GMT /content/070925.htm Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:09:55 GMT My recent column about the declining quality of education in the United States prompted impassioned opinions from dozens of readers. /content/070918.htm Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:09:56 GMT What kind of relationship should the United States have with China? Are we in competition to see whose economy will prevail in the 21st century? Should our relationship be cooperative or confrontational, or perhaps some of both? /content/070911.htm Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:30:53 GMT This year marks the 30th anniversary of the National Chamber Litigation Center (NCLC), the public policy law firm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. /content/070904.htm Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:30:54 GMT As we mark Labor Day 2007, the unions are using every tool at their disposal to challenge the business community in several arenas - in Congress, the boardroom, and politics. /content/0709_iyc.htm Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:32:00 GMT Ten years ago this month, I returned to the U.S. Chamber as president and CEO after working for the organization in the 1970s and 1980s. /content/0709_10a.htm Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:32:22 GMT After a year of growing at a very slow 1.5% pace, the economy grew at a robust 3.4% real growth rate in the second quarter of 2007. /content/070828.htm Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:31:02 GMT Last week the U.S. Chamber held six events in four days in Los Angeles to highlight the devastating impact counterfeiting and piracy are having on business brand names and sales, public health and safety, and the economy. /content/070821.htm Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:38:14 GMT As kids across the country return to school, theres no question our learning institutions are failing many of our children. /content/070814.htm Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:38:15 GMT We are going to organize, fund, and lead a new, multimillion-dollar initiative called -Lets Rebuild America.- The initiative has four goals. /content/070807.htm Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:38:16 GMT What more evidence do Americans require that our vast infrastructure needs must be met before additional catastrophes occur? /content/0708_iyc.htm Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:23:45 GMT I will address each of these issues individually in future columns; for now, heres an overview of what I want to accomplish. /content/0708_6a.htm Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:23:45 GMT /content/070731.htm Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:38:18 GMT After laying out the Chambers energy agenda last month, I invited you to share your thoughts. /content/070724.htm Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:38:19 GMT A new survey released this weekend by -Financial Times-/Harris Poll finds that large majorities of people in the United States and Europe are about three times more likely to say globalization is having a negative impact on their countries. /content/070717.htm Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:38:22 GMT As Congress considers energy legislation, it needs to think hard about the consequences of its actions. /content/070710.htm Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:38:24 GMT We have stepped forward in Pearson v. Chung because it illustrates the kind of outrageous lawsuit abuse that the Chamber is determined to end. /content/070703oped.htm Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:12:52 GMT Imagine for a moment that every time an American who walks into a shopping mall, reads their daily newspaper, or browses the racks at their local music store would have to pay a tax. /content/070703.htm Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:38:25 GMT An increasingly paralyzed Congress, an unpopular war-time president, and an early and fast-developing presidential campaign will likely make it difficult for significant legislation to be signed into law between now and November 2008. /content/0707_iyc.htm Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:23:28 GMT People on both sides of the immigration reform debate agree that the worst possible immigration policy is the status quo. /content/0707_10a.htm Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:23:28 GMT /content/070626.htm Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:38:28 GMT With a 14% approval rating, Congress doesnt appear to have the publics confidence that it can tackle the major challenges facing the country. The public is right to be skeptical when it comes to energy policy. /content/070619.htm Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:38:30 GMT Dozens of you responded to my June 5 Commentary, -The Four Pillars of Immigration Reform.- /content/070612.htm Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:38:31 GMT Perhaps youve heard the phrase -demography is destiny,- meaning significant changes in birthrates and longevity and other changes in the size and structure of populations will determine the future of nations. /content/070605.htm Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:38:31 GMT As the Senate returns from Memorial Day recess, it resumes contentious debate on comprehensive immigration legislation. /content/0706_iyc.htm Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:23:10 GMT A Gratifying Year Comes to an End /content/0706_10a.htm Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:23:09 GMT Inflation, the general increase in prices, is a well-known concept. We read about it in the press, we feel its impact in our pocketbooks, and the Fed watches it intensely in determining monetary policy. But it can also be confusing. /content/070529.htm Tue, 29 May 2007 18:37:11 GMT So with these facts on the table, what policies and approaches will the U.S. Chamber and our new Institute for 21st Energy employ to build consensus and support? /content/070522.htm Tue, 22 May 2007 18:37:14 GMT Energy is the single most important physical resource underpinning Americas economic competitiveness, our national security, and our free, mobile way of life. Yet despite its fundamental importance, we dont have a comprehensive energy policy. /content/070515.htm Tue, 15 May 2007 18:37:15 GMT Americas economy is only as strong as the thousands of local communities that make up our great country. Ensuring their strength, vitality, and prosperity should be a top priority for all of us. /content/070508.htm Tue, 08 May 2007 18:37:16 GMT Today, Americas economic power, military might, and technology are unmatched by any other nation in the world. But just because we are number one today does not mean we will be number one tomorrow. /content/070501.htm Tue, 01 May 2007 18:37:18 GMT One of our most potent weapons in convincing states to reform their unfair and expensive legal systems is the annual State Liability Systems Ranking Study conducted by The Harris Poll and the U.S. Chambers Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). /content/0705_iyc.htm Tue, 01 May 2007 17:22:52 GMT /content/0705_9b.htm Tue, 01 May 2007 17:22:51 GMT Americans level of confidence in small business leaders continues to grow compared to other public and private institutions, according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive /content/0705_10a.htm Tue, 01 May 2007 17:22:51 GMT I still believe that the economy will gradually accelerate through the year and approach its long-run potential growth rate by year-end, but it is likely to be a nail-biter. /content/070424.htm Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:36:35 GMT One of our most potent weapons in convincing states to reform their unfair and expensive legal systems is the annual State Liability Systems Ranking Study conducted by The Harris Poll and the U.S. Chambers Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). /content/070417.htm Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:36:41 GMT As we mark the 37th annual Earth Day this Sunday, theres no greater environmental debate today than global climate change. /content/070410.htm Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:36:44 GMT Can several seemingly unrelated news items on immigration provide insight into where the debate over this issue is headed and the prospects for a comprehensive reform deal? /content/070403.htm Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:36:47 GMT Recent developments are thrusting trade back into the headlines and, along with it, some common misconceptions about the business communitys approach to international commerce. /content/0704_10a.htm Sun, 01 Apr 2007 17:22:32 GMT For me, Aprils arrival always seems to bring with it a sense of foreboding. /content/070327.htm Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:36:08 GMT This week the U.S. Chamber is co-hosting the Global Intellectual Property (-IP-) Protection and Innovation Forum in Beijing, China. /content/070320.htm Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:36:09 GMT Predictably, as gas prices have retreated from their recent highs, energy has temporarily dropped off the radar screens of Congress and the public, only to be reignited when prices skyrocket again. /content/070313.htm Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:36:13 GMT There’s growing recognition that America’s capital markets are no longer the most attractive place on earth in which to invest. /content/070306.htm Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:36:15 GMT Last week we examined the findings of a new report on state education systems conducted by the U.S. Chamber and the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank, called Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Education Report Card. /content/0703_iyc.htm Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:22:15 GMT The old saying, -If you dont like the weather in Chicago, just wait five minutes and it will change,- is now applicable to health care policy. /content/0703_10a.htm Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:22:15 GMT With the release of the fourth quarter data, it is becoming clear to most economists that the economy has weathered the most recent storm and appears to be gathering momentum. /content/070227.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:34:31 GMT A new study jointly released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Center for American Progress (CAP) finds that this country is failing to prepare students to compete in the knowledge-based workforce of the twenty-first century. /content/070220.htm Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:34:28 GMT In decades past, unions and business used to clash on factory floors and farms and in hotels and hospitals in knock-down, drag-out fights over unionization of workers. /content/070213.htm Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:34:19 GMT The calendar may not say April 15, but taxes are once again becoming a hot topic in the nations capital and around the country. /content/070206.htm Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:34:17 GMT If small businesses were to add a third certainty in life--beyond death and taxes--it would probably be federal regulations. /content/0702_iyc.htm Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:20:26 GMT Increasingly congested highways harm our quality of life, hinder business productivity and growth, and pose a threat to human safety and the environment. /content/0702_10a.htm Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:20:25 GMT The economy closed 2006 with solid, if not spectacular, growth, improving employment, and slowing inflation-not bad for an economy that, according to the media, was supposed to be slipping into a recession. /content/070130.htm Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:33:51 GMT If you havent been following developments in the Doha Round, you should be. Its success or failure will impact you as a small business person, a consumer, and a global citizen. /content/070123.htm Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:33:50 GMT Forging consensus on health care solutions and mustering the political will to implement those solutions will be a difficult and time-consuming challenge. /content/070116.htm Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:33:47 GMT Our nation faces no shortage of crises--real or imagined--at the dawn of this new century. Transportation infrastructure is one of them. /content/070109.htm Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:33:44 GMT For the past several years, its been the Chambers custom to deliver a -State of American Business- report in early January. This year was no different. /content/0701_iyc.htm Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:19:52 GMT Youre a small or midsize company ready to take the next steps in your expansion plan, but you lack the necessary capital. /content/0701_5a.htm Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:19:50 GMT /content/0701_10a.htm Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:19:51 GMT Although the economy clearly was not the major factor in the November elections, I was nonetheless often asked by the -unbiased- media what Democratic control of the House and Senate would mean for the economy. /content/0609_fo.htm Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:25:13 GMT Issue Has Implications for U.S. Competitiveness /content/0607_fo.htm Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:30:43 GMT A State or Federal Responsibility? /content/0606_fo.htm Thu, 01 Jun 2006 20:28:00 GMT Balancing Land Use With Wildlife Protection /content/0605_fo.htm Mon, 01 May 2006 20:24:57 GMT Earned Legalization for the Undocumented? /content/0604_fo.htm Sat, 01 Apr 2006 20:20:45 GMT Next Steps in Fighting Counterfeiting /content/0603_03fo.htm Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:14:39 GMT Employers Can Promote Healthy Lifestyles /content/0601_03_fo.htm Sun, 01 Jan 2006 19:47:00 GMT Kyle Isakower of the American Petroleum Institute and Dr. George D. Thurston of the NYU School of Medicine face-off on clean air rules. /content/0512_03b.htm Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:26:55 GMT Republican, Democrat Find Common Ground /content/0511_03_fo.htm Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:22:51 GMT Members of Congress Offer Different Approaches /content/0509_03fo.htm Thu, 01 Sep 2005 19:14:16 GMT Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) and Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) debate how to deal with the terrorism threat. /content/0508_05fo.htm Mon, 01 Aug 2005 19:09:46 GMT Walter B. McCormick, Jr., President and CEO, United States Telecom Association and Donald J. Borut, Executive Director, National League of Cities debate best broadband services providers. /content/0507_03fo.htm Fri, 01 Jul 2005 19:03:23 GMT Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Mark Pryor debate the relationship between OSHA and small business. /content/0506_03fo.htm Wed, 01 Jun 2005 18:52:06 GMT Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) debate DR-CAFTA. /content/0505_03fo.htm Sun, 01 May 2005 18:46:00 GMT Norman Y. Mineta and Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) debate the future of Amtrak. /content/0504_03fo.htm Fri, 01 Apr 2005 18:29:30 GMT Rep. John Linder (R-GA) and Rep. Phil English (R-PA) debate how to improve the tax code. /content/0503_03fo.htm Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:58:39 GMT Rep. Randy -Duke- Cunningham (R-CA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) debate how to resolve the growing problem with e-waste.