Sun Journal front page story about imaginary "small business" group
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On Wednesday, Lance Dutson, Summers’ campaign manager, took issue with the Maine Small Business Coalition’s political motives, saying the coalition was not a legitimate business group in Maine but a wing of the left-leaning Maine People’s Alliance.
“It’s a make-believe group,” Dutson said.
Maine small business group tells U.S. Chamber: ‘Go back to Washington’
Laughable. This is such a transparent sham that you have to feel sorry for those perpetuating it.
The reporter knows it a sham as well, the name of the organization wasn't mentioned until the 5th graph, who ever heard of these guys? But before that, the important-sounding phrases "A Maine small-business coalition with about 3,400 members", (yeah, like I believe THAT) and "local small business owner", are used to support the astroturf idea that Maine business owners in general are behind this left-wing sham.
Now, there are no doubt a few extreme left-wingers are involved in this goup, but the idea that it is supported by 3,500 viable Maine business is a plain lie.
Hey, here's a reporting tip for you journo-lists: When repeating an obvious lie, a qualification such as ""A Maine small-business coalition THAT CLAIMS TO HAVE about 3,400 members" is suggested.
That is unless you, yourself, are a deliberate part of the lie.
Pathetic.
The US Chamber of Commerce claims to represent a lot of local chambers of commerce, plus 300,000 businesses directly. Given your tone, how about calling Lance Dutson on this: Dutson said he didn’t know how many Maine businesses belong to the U.S. Chamber but said, “It has to be in the thousands.”
Has to be? Why's that? How about showing us that membership list?
And I've heard of them prior to your rant, although I am not a member, nor am I a member of the US Chamber.
I once sent an email to a Southern Maine Democrat legislator (Dill, perhaps?...don't recall which one) and ended up on the receiving end of regular email pronouncements from various offshoots of the Maine People's Alliance. These folks are seriously whacko on every issue that comes before them. Any small business owner that is part of this outfit is less than rational, regarding the government's role in their business and in America. They are always for more government regulation, more government intervention, higher taxes on America's producers (the folks who actually pay taxes) and less freedom for Americans.
Given your tone, how about calling Lance Dutson on this: Dutson said he didn’t know how many Maine businesses belong to the U.S. Chamber but said, “It has to be in the thousands.”
Has to be? Why's that? How about showing us that membership list?
I see. The US Chamber of Commerce, a group with hundreds of thousands of members, a well-known and powerful lobbing group, must "prove" itself to be a legitimate business advocate.
Are you serious? Do you really think the US Chamber of Commerce is a sham group?
lol.
Any small business owner that is part of this outfit is less than rational, regarding the government's role in their business and in America.
I wouldn't go that far, I sure there are some well-meaning liberal-types who sign up for this. And, perhaps because you get spam emails from the Maine People's Alliance groups, they may consider YOU a member.
But 3,400 dues-paying members? Give me a break. The reporter is the one that is an idiot.
Dutson is on to something with it being a make-believe group. Their website gives no indication of membership, board or administration. More telling, a whois search of their website domain didn't provide much data beyond the fact that the hosting service is in California. Now obviously, the registrant COULD be in Maine, but with a number of Maine ISPs you'd think that a Maine Small Business organization would want to do business locally, wouldn't you?
If we look into some of the people quoted in their press releases, we find:
- A gal who runs a childcare service from her home - who, interestingly enough, is thought highly of by the SEIU!
Ah! A quote from the Maine Small Business Alliance Executive Director. Who'da thunk he'd be a "small business organizer" on the payroll of the Maine People's Alliance?
Ah, here's another honcho - some dude named Nate Libby. At least Mumsy thinks well of him!
Well lookie here: More from Mumsy!
They do appear to have attracted a small handful of dupes.
It sounds like this bunch is an offshoot of the Maine Bong Vendor's Alliance.
Yes, I'm serious, Tom, and no, I don't think the US Chamber is a sham. But since Mr. Dutson said he didn't know, but there had to be thousands of members in Maine, I challenge him to prove it. His accusation that the Maine group's numbers are a lie loses it's credibility otherwise.
He'll have a hard time proving it, Bob, for the simple reason that the so-called Maine Small Biz Whatever doesn't identify their staff, let alone their members; doesn't include the signatures on the petition drives they so proudly cite (there are many), hide behind a mailto on their online contact listing.
But I've no doubt he's correct. Do your own googling and you'll see press release that allege Maine Small Biz Whatever director is a chap named Kevin Simonwitz and occasional quotee Nate Libby. Both are employees of the MPA. Identified as same on the MPA website.
Walks like duck, sounds like duck...
I did look them up, and found the same things prior to my post. My point was, if you're going to call out someone for exaggerating like that, you'd better have the numbers to back up your own claim, as well. Why would the US Chamber of Commerce NOT tell us how many Maine members they have?
From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce web site. Emphasis mine. // Best, skf
About U.S. Chamber Small Business Nation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. More than 96% of U.S. Chamber members are small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
Y'all don't think it possible that -- say -- Rox Quimby belongs to a group allied with (and maybe even advised and assisted by) the MPA? There's a zillion acupuncturists, artists, web designers, gallery owners, writers, etc., that are very, very, very (seven more verys) liberal.
PS: the guy mentioned in the article seems to have a web presence here.
"craig is committed to art, activism, and social change". Sounds like he wouldn't have much in common with the Maine Chamber.
Scott, they don't tell you who is a member:
Membership in the U.S. Chamber is open to any company, and does not imply our endorsement of the organization. We will not confirm the membership status of organizations. To find out if a specific company is a member, you will have to contact the company directly.
Any Chamber of Commerce I've ever known spent a great deal of time, money and effort publicizing their membership lists. In fact, that's their job, to promote their members. If our local chamber kept the membership list secret, they wouldn't be very effective. What does this "Chamber of Commerce" have to hide?
Bob - Perhaps the membership list is available to U.S. Chamber members?
skf
Bob:
They would rather their windows be shielded from the rocks of "social justice" fanatics, though the recent "Chick fil A" experience seems to show that hypothesis to be misdirected, in terms of cost / benefit.
PS: For the record, the "whackjob" left is a much smaller subset of the left.
Again, using the name Chamber of Commerce implies, to me, they're like a traditional Chamber of Commerce, which, when contacted in a manner such as "where can I get a lobster roll around here" will gladly provide you with a list of local eateries, and sometimes even hand you the membership directory. It's what Chambers do.
PS If they asked me to join, the first thing I'd want to do is see who is already a member. At which point, I would expect a membership list.
Bob:
If part of the express membership agreement is that the C of C won't disclose your ID, wouldn't subsequent disclosure be a breach of contract -- money changing hands and all?
Following disclosure, if windows get broken and security guards get shot, that'd be chucked on the damages pile for the chamber to pony up. Perhaps the best bet would be for one to be able to opt in or out of anonymity.
Sure it would, John. But is that their policy?
lol.
What's funny, Tom, the fact they won't tell who their members are? How can I decide if I want to join if I can't call on some local members for a little background info?
http://www.uschamber.com/privacy
General Statement of Privacy
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce respects the privacy of its members and of those who visit this site. Subject to the provisions of applicable laws, any information you submit to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will not be used in any manner to which you have not consented."
I would be hesitant to join such a group that says they will work for my benefit without talking to other members first. I guess I can walk around and ask "are you a member of the US Chamber of Commerce" until I find one. If anyone knows the cost, since they want my email address before telling me, please let me know.
What's funny, Tom, the fact they won't tell who their members are? How can I decide if I want to join if I can't call on some local members for a little background info?
Then don't join. Join the Maine Moonbat Coalition of Acupuncturists and Basketweavers instead. Since you might actually be the ONLY MEMBER who pays dues, they'd fall all over themselmes for you.
Under state or federal law, if I'm selling memberships to my organization, claiming I represent 3 million already - do I not have to substantiate that claim somewhere?
Thank you.
skf
You can say whatever you want until someone challenges you. Then, depending on the circumstance, there are various recourses, or lack of recourse available.
With respect to advertising, which is sold by the size of market and demographics, there are rating agencies that independently determine your viewer/listenship. Those are vital to setting rates. Newspapers are required to publish accurate circulation statistics, and every once and a while a paper gets into trouble for fudging those. Now with internets sites, there are independent systems that track the hits so those running the site can solicit sponsors. Other public advertising claims might be subject to FTC rules.
Telling a whopper of a lie to a sympathetic reporter who parrots that, however, is just called "Liberal Public Relations".
Tom, it isn't about me joining, it's about the policy.
SKF; I doubt it, under law. But why wouldn't you, as a journalist, want to see some numbers to back up such a claim (as it refers to the Maine members of the group)? If people question the validity of the Maine Small Business Coalition's membership numbers, why can't they question the US Chamber's numbers?
Tom, your last post is a perfect illustration of my point; neither of the groups involved will tell us where they get their number of members in Maine, but you only seem to call out the Maine coalition on that fact. So, here's my claim, based on what I want to believe; The US Chamber of Commerce has zero member companies based in Maine. Until proven otherwise by the Chamber, or Mr. Dutson, that remains a factual statement.
but you only seem to call out the Maine coalition on that fact.
Because I believe the Chamber, but I don't believe the Maine Basketweavers and Pottery Coalition.
So, here's my claim, based on what I want to believe; The US Chamber of Commerce has zero member companies based in Maine.
OK, fine.
Now you having said that, what do you think that statement would do to YOUR credibility?
Until I see proof I'm wrong, my credibility remains intact. If proven wrong, I'll retract the statement. However, I will also add a second one; The US Chamber of Commerce does not have thousands of members in Maine, as was stated by Lance Dutson.
So now I need to see evidence of thousands of Maine members before the statement is proven to be false.
Until I see proof I'm wrong, my credibility remains intact.
Yeah, OK.
Bob:
Buy the Guide.
"Membership Directory and Resource Guide
Find other Chamber members or update your lead list with our annual Membership Directory and Resource Guide, which has a distribution of 2,000 and is available for purchase by the general public. New Chamber members are added monthly in our newsletter to keep your directory updated. "
You can, for $499, have your question answered.
Don't be a cheap bastid.
Incidentally, this outfit seems to think they are a member.
CMP thinks they've been a member of the Androscoggin chapter since the 60's.
At the end of the day, it looks like the Chamber has tons of resources (including member lists) available to MEMBERS, and for MEMBERS.
Mayhap you should join.
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Thank you for posting this, Tom. Over the last two years, the hypocrisy and bias from Democrats and the Maine MSM has become ever-more obvious. We can thank the Governor, and the Maine Republican Legislature for that phenomenon, because as the liberals get more desperate to defend their taxpayer-dollar fiefdoms, they're getting sloppy.