The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Phone: (202) 588-1000

Enough of the Olive Branches to Big Business

Statement by Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, on Obama’s Visit to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON

A CEO summit, a Wall Street executive as chief of staff, GE's CEO as head of the administration's jobs program, proposals to roll back regulations and now an address at the multinational corporate trade association that was the single biggest exploiter of the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision. What America needs is not olive branches to giant corporations but controls over the companies that sank the economy, send jobs overseas and threaten the planet's well-being.

Candidate Obama promised not just a government investment agenda but an American economy that would address the needs of all and not just the high-flying elite, a new fair-trade policy and action commensurate with the threat of climate change.

We need Obama to deliver on those promises.

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. We defend democracy, resist corporate power and work to ensure that government works for the people - not for big corporations. Founded in 1971, we now have 500,000 members and supporters throughout the country.

(202) 588-1000