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GOP Wages War on Safeguards That Protect Us All

GOP Wages War on Safeguards That Protect Us All

Published 02-11-11

Submitted by American Sustainable Business Council

GOP Wages War on Safeguards That Protect Us All Matt Madia, a Policy Analyst at OMB Watch, Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, Peter Iwanowicz of the American Lung Association, and Jeffrey Hollender, Co-founder of Seventh Generation and the American Sustainable Business Council joined together to call attention to Representative Darrell Issa's plans to hold hundreds of hearings to investigate the Obama administration this year, and to hold a hearing on "job-killing" regulations this week. This is a misguided effort that distracts our government from dealing with the real reasons our economy is suffering.

Government regulations don’t strangle job creation. This is a myth repeated by the politicians and corporate CEOs who stand to dramatically increase profits if these standards go away, safeguards that in fact create and protect millions of jobs and the businesses that play by the rules. These standards ensure product and food safety, protect our environment, and ensure the proper regulation of our finance, medical, and legal industries.

Profits at American companies are higher than they have ever been in 60 years, at an annual rate of $1.659 trillion in the third quarter of 2010. The challenge we face is that even with unprecedented levels of corporate profitability, large companies still refuse to invest those profits in new jobs. With the broader U-6 measure of unemployment at 17%, Representative Issa would more productively use his time if he focused on:

  • Increasing capital access to small business to create jobs.

  • Reducing tax benefits to businesses that export jobs outside of the US.

  • Preventing business from externalizing their costs by exposing the public to toxic chemicals and pollution at the expense of public health and environmental safety.

  • Passing Toxic Substances Control Act reform and,

  • Leveling the playing field by stopping companies from escaping their corporate tax obligations by using tax havens outside the US.

Jeffrey Hollender is the Co-founder of Seventh Generation and the American Sustainable Business Council. His blog, "The Next Generation of Business," is published at jeffreyhollender.com.

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American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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