MoveOn.org Targets US Chamber of Commerce

MoveOn.org has launched a campaign to pressure more high profile members of the US Chamber of Commerce to quit the organization, following in the footsteps of companies such as Apple, Exelon and PG&E.

The cause of all the controversy is the Chamber’s position on climate change and their resistance to plans to reduce US industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Chamber recently expressed opposition to a plan to allow the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. It also opposed the energy bill that the House passed in June and called for a new “Scopes monkey trial” to decide the legitimacy of climate change science.

Now, MoveOn says, the Chamber is pouring millions into killing health care reform too; the Chamber’s recently announced $100-million “Free Enterprise” campaign has been described as a “declaration of war on the White House.”

MoveOn’s efforts have started with Pepsi, UPS, AT&T, FedEx, CVS, Microsoft, Anheuser-Busch and Coke – all current Chamber members. The emails sent to MoveOn members ask, in light of all of the Chamber’s efforts to oppose the Administration’s agenda: “So why is Pepsi [or UPS, or Microsoft, etc.] still funding the Chamber? The Chamber wouldn't be able to run multi-million dollar campaigns if it weren't getting so much money from its members.”

MoveOn is urging members to sign its petition to the Chamber (located here) and to call the companies below and urge them to leave the Chamber:

* Pepsi: (800) 433-2652, press 0

* UPS: (404) 828-7123

* AT&T: (800) 355-9542

* FedEx: (901) 369-3600

* CVS: (401) 765-1500, press 0 twice

* Microsoft: (425) 882-8080, press 0

* Anheuser-Busch: (202) 293-9494

* Coca-Cola: (800) 438-2653