by Richard Rush
The Journal Record - December 7, 2009

America’s free enterprise system has been the backbone of more than 200 years of global economic development. It has become the beacon that attracts investment, brilliant minds and talent to our country from around the world. It is also in danger of elimination.

Recently proposed laws are threatening to destroy small business development before it can even get off the ground. These laws may make it impossible to succeed, and we wonder why businesses are closing their doors. We’ve even heard of legislation being proposed to “force” American companies to remain in America.

You cannot mandate a business to stay open, but lawmakers can certainly close a business through mandates.

America’s 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, said, “I believe that without free enterprise there can be no democracy.” He was right then, and now.

We at The State Chamber of Oklahoma believe there should be a “free enterprise litmus test” for all proposed laws.

The free enterprise litmus test:

• Does this proposed law or regulation encourage jobs?
• Does it provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow and prosper?
• Does it allow the business owner the freedom of choice (to succeed or fail)?
• Does it help small businesses in their efforts to create jobs and make a profit?
• Does it increase the chances of social mobility, allowing any citizen the opportunity to improve their lives?
• Does it improve the quality of life in our communities?
• Does it provide for a progressive, growing economy?
• Does it fulfill the promise of the American dream?

Any proposed law that fails the free enterprise litmus test should not be enacted.

This is especially important when one reads the latest report from the National Association of Manufacturers on the future of manufacturing jobs in America. While the recession may be over, we are concerned about recovery. Recently, 400 NAM members were surveyed and most do not expect an upturn in their production to begin until sometime next year.

Why? Could it be they are waiting to see what Washington will do next? New laws dealing with health care (costing $849 billion over 10 years), cap-and-trade and taxes are being considered that will impact businesses and their ability to hire workers. The focus needs to be on jobs, and the test for legislation affecting those jobs needs to be the free enterprise litmus test.

Richard P. Rush is the President and CEO of The State Chamber.