GOP Speaks Out About Chamber Ratings

In the June 3 issue, Nancy Dembowski wrote a letter to The Leader explaining her poor rating from the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce on economic and business growth. Dembowski's explanation is a poor one and in our current recession, it's one that should matter to her.

Dembowski labels herself an independent voice who is looking out for "you" rather than the "special interests" of business. Once again, she fails to connect the dots: businesses-of all sizes-are not separate entities with objectives contrary to that of the average individual citizen. Rather, they are the bread and butter and livelihood of Indiana households, and the solution to the disaster that has afflicted our economy.

Dembowski states,

It is important to remember that the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is not a non-partisan group devoted to the public's general interest. It is a special interest group. They exist to advance a specific agenda on behalf of the people and groups they represent: Primarily large business interest and corporations.

Forgive me for being so optimistic, but I think the people of the 17^th district are smarter than that. If by "special interest" she means general profit and prosperity for Indiana businesses, if by "specific agenda" she means creating jobs, funneling money into our economy, and generating tax revenues to fund our schools again, then by all means she is right on target.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is an advocate and resource for all businesses, especially the small ones. Not only does it serve as a voice in Indianapolis, with enough power to hold our elected officials responsible for their voting record, but it offers a variety of employee training, conferences and print materials for those who need it most: small businesses trying to succeed in the big business world.

So how is it that Nancy Dembowski can have been a local Chamber president at one time and have received a rating of 85 during her time in the state senate, and still not be endorsed by the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce? Because she fails to make the connections between taxes, business, economic growth, and jobs. Her policies simply do not work.

And speaking of jobs, let's give Nancy Dembowski an advance notice of a major layoff on November 2: her in our District 17 seat.