Another Reason Not to Drink Coke

Besides the obesity making, genetically modifed, high fructose corn syrup in each gulp and the wasteful, fossil fuel-based plastic bottle it comes in, now there is this news just in from MoveOn:

Dear MoveOn member,

Why would a company like Coca-Cola oppose solutions to global warming?

Coca-Cola is a prominent member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which just launched a $100 million campaign described as a "declaration of war on the White House." The Chamber is pouring millions into killing clean energy as well as health care reform.¹

Recently, an uprising of companies fighting back against the Chamber of Commerce has begun, led by companies like Apple, Nike, Johnson & Johnson, and GE.²

But Coca-Cola continues to help fund the Chamber's anti-climate agenda through their Chamber dues.

Can you call Coca-Cola and urge them to quit the Chamber of Commerce? If you're a customer of Coca-Cola, be sure to mention it when you call. Here's the info:

Coca-Cola
(800) 438-2653, press 2

Then, report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/chambercalls/coca-cola.html?id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=4

For years, the Chamber of Commerce has pushed a right-wing agenda.³ But now, it's trying to kill progress on clean energy, health care, workers' rights, and even financial reform.⁴

The U.S. Chamber has gotten so out of step with its own members that even local chambers are joining the rebellion. "They don't represent me," the head of the Greater New York Chamber said the other day.⁵

The top issues causing companies to walk away from the Chamber are clean energy and global warming. Wind and solar power create jobs and help the economy, and most business leaders know it.⁶

But the Chamber isn't listening. After Apple quit, the Chamber's president said of his critics, "Bring 'em on."⁷

So why is Coca-Cola still funding the Chamber? The Chamber wouldn't be able to run multi-million dollar campaigns if it weren't getting so much money from its members.

Call Coca-Cola today and urge them to quit the Chamber of Commerce:

Coca-Cola
(800) 438-2653, press 2

Then, help track our progress by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/chambercalls/coca-cola.html?id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Wes, Anna, Noah, and the rest of the team

Sources:

(I haven't attached all these links if you want to access them just cut and paste - thanks!)

1. "Does the U.S. Chamber Speak for Big Business?," Business Week, October 7, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84889&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=6

2. "Apple quits U.S. Chamber of Commerce over global warming views," San Jose Mercury News, October 5, 2009
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13492186

"Nike Resigns From Chamber Board," The New York Times, September 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84826&id=&t=7&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=7

3. "A Quiet Revolution In Business Lobbying: Chamber of Commerce Helps Bush Agenda," The Washington Post, February 5, 2005
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84896&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=8

4. "Corporate America Is Fighting Back," Financial Post, October 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84891&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=9

5. "Defections Expose Chamber's Dirty Little Secrets" The Washington Post, October 16, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84890&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=11

6. "At Chamber of Commerce, Member Exodus on Climate Issue a Big PR Problem," Newsweek, October 6, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84820&id=&t=8&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=12

7. "Defiant Chamber Chief Says 'Bring 'Em On,'" The New York Times, October 8, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84829&id=&t=11&id=17578-3196443-ud.lc6x&t=13

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