The State of American Business 2010

Job One—Putting America Back to Work

Our nation faces many big challenges, but no priority is more important than putting Americans back to work. And so the Chamber is calling upon leaders in government, business, labor, and across society to unite around the ambitious goal of creating at least 20 million new jobs over the next 10 years. With 20 million jobs, we can re-employ the unemployed and meet the needs of our young people and a growing population.

We first articulated this goal last October when we made it the centerpiece of our new campaign to support free enterprise. We did so in part because we were troubled that policymakers in Washington seemed to be focused on everything but the creation of jobs.

Today, almost everyone is talking about jobs and that's good. But talk won't create the jobs we need and, over the long term, neither can the government.

In his economic speech last month, President Obama said, and I quote, "Job creation will ultimately depend on the real job creators: businesses across America."  

We hear you, Mr. President–and we agree. So let's talk frankly and specifically about the policies that we must have to accelerate growth and put our citizens back to work.

The Chamber's Jobs Plan

• First, we can create jobs by doubling U.S. exports in five years.
• Second–we can create jobs by rebuilding America's infrastructure.
• Third–we can create jobs with major investments and breakthroughs in energy.
• Fourth–we can create jobs by expanding credit across our economy.
• Fifth–to create jobs we must ease the uncertainty over tax increases as well as health, environmental, labor, legal, and fiscal policies.

» For the full jobs plan, read the full speech by Thomas J. Donohue

Press Release
U.S. Chamber Calls for Policies to Spur Job Creation in Annual State of American Business Address

Speech
The State of American Business 2010
Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

A Business Plan for Jobs

By Thomas Donohue

"As a nation, we face no greater or more immediate challenge than creating the 20 million jobs we'll need to replace those lost in the recession and to keep up with a growing population."

» Read the op-ed on RealClearPolitics.com