http://nmindependent.disqus.com/enFri, 24 Oct 2008 12:21:20 -0000http://newmexicoindependent.com/6484/albuquerque-chamber-of-commerce-gets-political#comment-3276920<p>The US Chamber of Commerce is a lobby group. That is what it collects dues for. That is really the only service it performs for its members.</p><p>It unloads tens of millions of dollars on candidates every year, mostly Republican. Primary issues: keeping minimum wage low, business taxes low, regulations nonexistent, anti-OSHA, anti-health care. And it is a very effective lobby, witness for instance how the minimum wage never keeps pace even with inflation.</p><p>Go to Washington DC and see its lobby headquarters. Very grand and glorious, a golden temple of greed and corruption. So, yes, the CofC hosting a debate is like the NRA hosting a debate or the Big Tobacco lobby sponsoring it. It is immediately suspect, though not particularly sinister.</p>JeeterFri, 24 Oct 2008 12:21:20 -0000http://newmexicoindependent.com/6484/albuquerque-chamber-of-commerce-gets-political#comment-3275570<p>I don't understand your headline. If KNME hosts the debate, its a debate. When the Chamber of Commerce does it as a public service, suddenly its "political" as in this might be sinister. What's wrong with you or your headline writer?</p><p>Way too much koolaid.</p>JoMaFri, 24 Oct 2008 11:06:53 -0000