Page 22 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 22
C. Today
Will You Vote
for Jobs?
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
In just over two weeks, voters will cast their ballots in one of the most
important elections in recent memory. The entire House of Representatives,
one-third of the Senate, 36 governorships, and a slew of state and local offices
will be up for grabs – along with the power to set the agenda for the next two-
plus years.
This means that the state of our economy, as well as many of the issues that
accelerate or undermine growth, is also on the ballot.
It’s worth taking a look back at 2016 to consider what’s been accomplished
and what’s at stake. In the last national election, Americans voted for the most
pro-growth Congress in many years. With the help of the administration, and
at the urging of the business community, elected officials delivered long-elusive
victories on tax reform, regulatory relief, policies supporting responsible energy
development, and more.
The result? Much faster GDP growth, up about 50% from a rate of below 2%
to near 3%. An unemployment rate of 3.7%, the lowest since 1969. Layoffs at a
50-year low. The fastest growth in manufacturing jobs since the mid-1980s. A
surplus of 650,000 open jobs. Rising wages. Higher business confidence and
record-high small business optimism.
We’re urging business leaders, employees, and anyone who wants to see our
economy continue on this upward trajectory to vote for the candidates who
support policies for greater growth in this high-stakes election. If the pro-growth
agenda is halted or stymied, we could be looking at a very different picture next
year and beyond.
Gains in regulatory relief could be reversed, and our energy industry could once
again be shackled with rules and regulations that put thousands of U.S. jobs at
risk. Policies that are antithetical to a free enterprise-driven society could gain
traction, including single payer health care and the nationalization of business.
A “you didn’t build that” mentality could reemerge, depressing America’s
entrepreneurial drive. And endless politically motivated oversight hearings could
dish up more distractions and divisions on Capitol Hill.
No one can afford to sit this election out. As of today, early voting is already
underway in 27 states. Other states will follow in the coming days. It’s not
too late to learn about the candidates in each race and the issues at hand.
We encourage voters to visit VoteForJobs.com to get information on voter
registration, polling locations, and early and absentee voting.
The bottom line is that elections have consequences. The single most powerful
tool each one of us has is our voice and our vote. In this vital election, every vote
in every race matters.■
20 AmCham South China
Will You Vote
for Jobs?
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
In just over two weeks, voters will cast their ballots in one of the most
important elections in recent memory. The entire House of Representatives,
one-third of the Senate, 36 governorships, and a slew of state and local offices
will be up for grabs – along with the power to set the agenda for the next two-
plus years.
This means that the state of our economy, as well as many of the issues that
accelerate or undermine growth, is also on the ballot.
It’s worth taking a look back at 2016 to consider what’s been accomplished
and what’s at stake. In the last national election, Americans voted for the most
pro-growth Congress in many years. With the help of the administration, and
at the urging of the business community, elected officials delivered long-elusive
victories on tax reform, regulatory relief, policies supporting responsible energy
development, and more.
The result? Much faster GDP growth, up about 50% from a rate of below 2%
to near 3%. An unemployment rate of 3.7%, the lowest since 1969. Layoffs at a
50-year low. The fastest growth in manufacturing jobs since the mid-1980s. A
surplus of 650,000 open jobs. Rising wages. Higher business confidence and
record-high small business optimism.
We’re urging business leaders, employees, and anyone who wants to see our
economy continue on this upward trajectory to vote for the candidates who
support policies for greater growth in this high-stakes election. If the pro-growth
agenda is halted or stymied, we could be looking at a very different picture next
year and beyond.
Gains in regulatory relief could be reversed, and our energy industry could once
again be shackled with rules and regulations that put thousands of U.S. jobs at
risk. Policies that are antithetical to a free enterprise-driven society could gain
traction, including single payer health care and the nationalization of business.
A “you didn’t build that” mentality could reemerge, depressing America’s
entrepreneurial drive. And endless politically motivated oversight hearings could
dish up more distractions and divisions on Capitol Hill.
No one can afford to sit this election out. As of today, early voting is already
underway in 27 states. Other states will follow in the coming days. It’s not
too late to learn about the candidates in each race and the issues at hand.
We encourage voters to visit VoteForJobs.com to get information on voter
registration, polling locations, and early and absentee voting.
The bottom line is that elections have consequences. The single most powerful
tool each one of us has is our voice and our vote. In this vital election, every vote
in every race matters.■
20 AmCham South China
