Mr. President: When will ’somebody else’ build my business?
There was a lot of buzz over the weekend, stretching into today, about these remarks President Obama made during a campaign stop Friday in Roanoke, Va.:
There are a lot of wealthy, successful Americans who agree with me — because they want to give something back. They know they didn’t — look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own. You didn’t get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something — there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.
Well, that’s not so controversial, is it? I’ve had some success in my career in journalism, and I am in the habit of referring to the great teachers I had (in college and before), the great upbringing I got from my parents, and some favorable timing/circumstances along the way. Certainly, there are a lot of successful people who want to “give something back” and do so — to churches, their alma maters, to civic organizations …
Wait, what’s that? Obama wants to steer the conversation toward government? Well, I’m not exactly surprised.
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges.
OK, I mentioned teachers, too — although Obama does not differentiate between those in public schools or, like his own daughters’ teachers and his own college professors, those in private schools. (I’m a public-schools product myself.) And it has become routine for Obama to harp on the roads and bridges as if that’s necessarily something the federal government must or should be involved in.
But that wasn’t enough for Obama. As the saying goes, he went there:
If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
Now, if you’re expecting me to slam Obama for that comment — and the idea that government’s role in the creation of the Internet means every online entrepreneur should get down on his knees and thank government, or gladly hand over whatever amount of her profits government thinks she owes it — you’re going to be disappointed today.
Nope, my question is: Where’s mine?
If “somebody else” is going around building these businesses for people, when do “they” make it to me? I’d love for “somebody else” come “make that happen” for me. I mean, a business doesn’t “get [started] on its own!”
So … when should I expect “somebody” to call and make the appointment for handing off this new business, Mr. President?
– By Kyle Wingfield
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383 comments Add your comment
stopspending
July 16th, 2012
4:46 pm
Hey, Mr. President. I drive the same roads as Chipper Jones and Ted Turner. Why do I not have the big bucks that they have? It is not because I am blogging in the middle of the day instead of working a job so it must be government;s fault. Why, oh why, did the gov not pick me to make the big bucks? I know I can do as good a job as Ted.
md
July 16th, 2012
4:46 pm
“is to take perfectly reasonable words of the President and mock him and insult him.”
Wrong……there is a difference in mocking the person and mocking the ignorance spewed by a person.
His words are pure ignorance in regards to small businesses.
md
July 16th, 2012
4:48 pm
“The 50% number you folks throw around includes all the children, retirees, housewives (like Frau Romney) etc in the country and does not include FICA. ”
No it doesn’t……that number usually refers to income tax and applies only to those with income……
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
4:52 pm
What isn’t surprising to see on this blog is the obumer toadies who rush angrily to attack with vitriol anyone that decries this “INSULT” of a President we now have that has no respect for the laws he swore to uphold, no regard for the facts we he speaks and no shame or apologies for the lies he tells the American people.
JX
July 16th, 2012
4:55 pm
I guess the zebra thinks Mitt Romney will outsource American jobs if he becomes president. Kind of a stretch and silly sounding when compared to someone with no business experience.
Grasshopper
July 16th, 2012
4:58 pm
“When the Outsourcer’s kids were small, 6 out of 7 folks in his house did not pay taxes. Freeloaders!”
I suppose you consider Sasha and Malia freeloaders too then.
Tacky.
MarkV
July 16th, 2012
5:04 pm
“His words are pure ignorance in regards to small businesses.”
His words are true for any business.
JX
July 16th, 2012
5:08 pm
“His words are pure ignorance in regards to small businesses.”
“His words are true for any business”
He has no business experience. He is simply not an authority on business.
You don't say
July 16th, 2012
5:14 pm
“What isn’t surprising to see on this blog is the obumer toadies who rush angrily to attack with vitriol anyone that decries this “INSULT” of a President ”
In the same sentence, he calls people “obume toadies” (Except for being childish bs, this can only be construed as name calling), yet he claims others “attack with vitriol”.
Irony goes great on anything. fruit, roast, salad…… you name it
kyle: Has the sleeping giant woke up yet? Probably going to need some caffeine.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:15 pm
obumer is an authority on Big Government Marxism.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 16th, 2012
5:18 pm
Obama’s words, as usual, were meant to artificially glorify government and continue his belittling of the private sector.
Plain and simple.
It’s not as if he can run on his record, after all.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:20 pm
Yeah I do say… it’s called fighting fire with fire. Anytime Kyle wants to hose these anonymous posters who play the hypocritical role of both sides as good guy, bad guy.
Now come back and try it again when you wake up.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
5:21 pm
Another statement from the man, confirming what some already know, that he is a big government fascist, who has plans to “fundamentally change” America. He knows his economic policy has been a total failure, in resurrecting the economy, but it has served his purpose of growing government and forcing more dependency on government. As more become dependent, then they become more insistent that government programs be preserved and expanded. This expansion is to Oblamers benefit and desire.
He has just slammed every business man and woman in America. All those Arthur Blanks and Bernie Marcus’s out there, who dreamed up an idea, invested their life savings, and worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition. He has told them you didn’t do anything special, that anyone can use the plentiful government assets and do the same. That they were just the winners in life’s lottery.
Dems love to equate success with good fortune, it serves their ideology. They always refer to the unfortunate, the undocumented, the less fortunate, the disenfranchised, etc, as if these people have absolutely nothing to do with their lot in life. To them, the successful are just lucky.
carlosgvv
July 16th, 2012
5:21 pm
Michael H. Smith – 4:52
You’ve managed to post a blog that is 100% wrong.
Keep up the bad work.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:25 pm
carlosgvv
July 16th, 2012
5:21 pm
According to you carlosgvv… Oh gee golly wow.
Pal you when have you ever been right? And it sure isn’t this time.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:30 pm
I’ll gladly keep up the good work that drives people like Marxist V, You don’t say, carlosgvv, AMbrucie, Aquagirl and Road Squealer over the leftist edge into the socialist abyss.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
5:30 pm
The harder I work, the luckier I get.
Samuel Goldwyn
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
5:32 pm
I’d rather be lucky than good-Richard Petty
Get Real
July 16th, 2012
5:35 pm
Mandingo….turn to channel Bookman for the Obama Kool Aid blog
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 16th, 2012
5:35 pm
Michael H. Smith, please use the proper blog handles for those leftists you mentioned.
New rules and all, btw.
Bob D
July 16th, 2012
5:37 pm
The basic flaw in Obama’s reasoning, which causes his whole thesis to collapse, is not recognizing that the businessperson, while taking all the risk and providing creativity and leadership, pays fair market rates to all employees, suppliers, and financiers. No one gives him anything. See grok.typepad.com for a good post on the subject.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
5:38 pm
Hillbilly D
He didn’t win all those races depending on luck only. If luck was the essential requirement, Dick Trickle, would be in the NASCAR hall of fame. How lucky do you have to be, to be named Dick Trickle.
carlosgvv
July 16th, 2012
5:39 pm
Michael H. Smith
Your Christian Academy education is so lacking you wouldn’t know “right’ if it bit you on your a*s.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:40 pm
Do you really expect me to keep all their phony names correct when they are all phony to begin with? I mean, what does it matter if I alter something that is phony, it ain’t real anyhow, right?
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:45 pm
carlosgvv
You really need to address your lack of knowledge rather than mine and you wouldn’t know Christian from Krispy Kreme.
MarkV
July 16th, 2012
5:48 pm
What is so outrageous bout Kyle’s article is the distortion of the meaning of Obama’s words, as well as the snide and ridiculous remarks mixed in. As for the latter:
“OK, I mentioned teachers, too — although Obama does not differentiate between those in public schools or, like his own daughters’ teachers and his own college professors, those in private schools.”
What has got to do with the subject?
Or,
“And it has become routine for Obama to harp on the roads and bridges as if that’s necessarily something the federal government must or should be involved in.”
Yeah, we should not have in this country, unlike any other civilized country, roads and bridges built using money from all the people of the country. President Eisenhower must be rolling in his grave.
But again, the most egregious part of Kyle’s article is the distortion of the meaning of what Obama said.
Obama: “If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”
Kyle: “If “somebody else” is going around building these businesses for people, when do “they” make it to me?”
Now there is a question: Is Kyle is completely incapable of understanding, or does he willfully pretend not to understand?
If the business is a factory, has the owner brought the bricks, wood etc. and erected the buildings? Did he put together the machines – perhaps mined the ore, smelted the metals, machined them? Does he work in it by himself?
Did Romney build his offices, furnished them, typed and copied his own memos?
What about the internet businesses? Did the owners build the computers from parts they themselves manufactured?
What the President talked about is the undeniable fact they in a civilized society, everybody uses the fruits of work of a huge number of other people in every facet of life.
CK
July 16th, 2012
5:49 pm
For those who criticize the wealthy, successful Americans, and feel they should pay more:
You are just envious of them, and you probably are getting a hand out from the government. Almost half of the US do not pay taxes, but bleed those who work.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
5:52 pm
Oh by the way Tiberius, I wasn’t here for the soap-opera event that broke the brick for Kyle so I’ll have to review the “NEW” rules.
However, as it appears it’s no different than before. Kyle has a great number of self-appointed activist judges adjudicating most of his case for him
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
5:53 pm
Rafe
Dick Trickle was one of the winningest short track racers, of all time. He led the nation in 1972 with 67 wins. His problem was that his big break didn’t come until he was into his 40’s.
And it didn’t hurt ol’ Richard that he was Lee Petty’s son. He had the best equipment from the beginning, in a sport where equipment is the king (no pun intended).
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
6:01 pm
What is the undeniable fact is that when we use something someone else makes we pay them for their efforts or product, it wasn’t given to us as assistance. So that can’t really be called help. It is a mutual exchange of service or product for a fee.
Gee.. come to think of it that sounds like… Gosh dang it, it is… ITS CAPITALISM!
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
6:02 pm
Finn: This is like the citizen united fight – in reverse. You’re ok with a company (a tool) having inalienable rights but not a government (a tool.)
—————————-
That’s for damn sure. A company can’t take my freedom. A company can’t take my property (well, except for that libtarded Kelo decision). A company can’t tax me. A company can’t force me to purchase a product I don’t want. A company can’t penalize me for not doing each and every thing that pops into their little heads. A company can’t sent my children off to kill or be killed.
Big Barry
July 16th, 2012
6:02 pm
Same problem, when he attempts to expound on any subject for very long, the cliches run out, and then you see the guy really does think that government is the be all and end all…
Be afraid, be very afraid….”I’m from the government and I’m here to help” etc.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
6:07 pm
If the business is a factory, has the owner brought the bricks, wood etc. and erected the buildings? Did he put together the machines – perhaps mined the ore, smelted the metals, machined them? Does he work in it by himself?….What the President talked about is the undeniable fact they in a civilized society, everybody uses the fruits of work of a huge number of other people in every facet of life.
—————-
Yep, and the person building the business PAID all those folks for their products and services. That’s free market capitalism. The business owner didn’t compel or force anyone to provide the products and services at no charge–that’s what maggot Democrats do.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
6:12 pm
Hillbilly D
Never argue with an expert, I sure am not. But, Richard took what he was given and was much more successful than Lee. Dale Earnhart, Jr. has not done as well as Richard Petty, even tho he had a much more successful organization and advantages to work with.
As with most things in life, luck plays much less a role, than dedication, determination, preparation, intelligence, and most of all willpower.
The list of those given every advantage in life, who never equaled their fathers is lengthy.
MarkV
July 16th, 2012
6:13 pm
Michael H. Smith @6:01 pm
“What is the undeniable fact is that when we use something someone else makes we pay them for their efforts or product, it wasn’t given to us as assistance. So that can’t really be called help. It is a mutual exchange of service or product for a fee.”
Where in President Obama’s remarks are the words assistance and help with respect to business?
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
6:19 pm
Rafe
The King’s biggest asset, in my opinion, was that he had the killer instinct.
I’ll get back to my rat-killing and y’all can carry on.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
6:20 pm
Obozo insulted everyone who works for a living, in order to appeal to his parasite base who are mostly unsuccessful due to their lack of ambition, hard work, and personal responsibility.
Obozo’s speech was intended to engender in his parasite base an entitlement mentality wherein they are somehow deserving of some part of the wealth earned by others.
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
6:29 pm
In the interest of aiding those blinded by socialism or those who simply lack word and contextual comprehension skills…
Help 1. Give assistance; be of service
OBUMER: If you were successful, somebody along the line “gave you some help”.
And for the rest as Kyle said he went there… If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
md
July 16th, 2012
6:35 pm
“He had the best equipment from the beginning, in a sport where equipment is the king (no pun intended).”
I understand where you are coming from, but from the beginning, wasn’t the very idea that all cars be “stock” intended to level the playing field?? Hence the name “stock car racing”?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 16th, 2012
6:37 pm
If the Liar-in-Chief didn’t intend to (wrongly, btw) elevate the role of government to that of equal or major partner in business, why bother to make the remarks at all?
Spin it, libs, but he believes in the primacy of government over the private sector. You cannot defend his remarks with any logical argument.
md
July 16th, 2012
6:39 pm
What many, including Obama, seem to be missing is the first step one takes when starting a business…..and that would be assuming the risk inherent to every business.
And I have no problem if he wants to go there with the share mentality, but he best get ready to share in the losses too……..but I don’t ever here the left mention those………
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
6:42 pm
md
The “stock” thing went out the window pretty quickly, for safety reasons at first and then for more show business/economic reasons. It’s just a fact of life in auto racing that the more money you have, the better you should run. Money isn’t 100% of it of course but it’s a very high percentage.
And the original quote was from Petty. He’s the one who said it, not me. (It is an actual quote)
md
July 16th, 2012
6:44 pm
Oh I agree with the quote, but personally I’d prefer to be good and lucky……….
Katz P. Ajamas
July 16th, 2012
6:48 pm
The infrastructure is there for everyone to use, whether they pay taxes to build it or not. Successful people are not singled out and given anything special. Maybe some people who have friends in government steering business their way, but most successful people make their own connections.
As for the internet. The govt did not ‘invent’ the internet. The government was a customer who wanted to move data around. The personal communication aspect was an afterthought and most of it was added gratis by developers and users for their own convenience and pleasure. I know, I was a DARPANET user before ‘the internet’ was born.
Your friend Katz
tiredofIT
July 16th, 2012
6:51 pm
How much did we give Caterpillar to come to Georgia?
MarkV
July 16th, 2012
6:53 pm
In the interest of aiding those who simply lack word and contextual comprehension skills.
The President: “If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help.”
Not even Kyle disagrees with this statement. It is an expression of supreme arrogance for anyone to claim that he/she never had any help in his/her life and endeavor.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
6:55 pm
How much did we give Solyndra to go out of business?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 16th, 2012
6:56 pm
In the interest of aiding those who live or die by wordsmithing everything to death in an attempt to never make a valid point . . .
. . . your partisanship is showing.
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
6:56 pm
How much did we give Caterpillar to come to Georgia?
Roughly $70-75 million, depending on whose figures you believe.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
6:58 pm
I think you know quite well that the truly egregious, un-American thing Obozo said, and which most here are rightly condemning Idiot Obozo for, is the part where he claims small business owners didn’t build their business–someone else did.
You’d have to be an economic retard to agree with Obozo on that point.