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
md
July 16th, 2012
6:59 pm
“How much did we give Caterpillar to come to Georgia?”
Absolutely nothing……….which is what GA would have had Caterpillar gone elsewhere.
What you got was 1400 jobs and the economic activity that goes with it……..
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
How much did we give GM to buy the votes of their union “workers” for Obozo?
$25 billion that has yet to be repaid at last check.
Ted
July 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
The lack of civility on this blog is really appalling.
md
July 16th, 2012
7:02 pm
The President: “If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help.”
I do believe the operative word would be “gave”, and it is highly debatable that it would apply to everyone……especially if one were to have paid continual tax.
Dusty
July 16th, 2012
7:02 pm
Well, Kyle got ‘em going today. We leared a lot about our liberal friends here, besides their anguish over another bungled Obama speech.
Let’s see.
Just saying.:….must be Hillary ’cause she believes it is “all a conspiracy”.. Cheesy Grits can’t get over wealth envy. Aquagirl & GT- have secret desire to settle in Somalia, land of free piracy! Goooooo….
MarkV–seems to believe that our country was settled early by pioneers who progressed on government roads, bridges, and man made material from Home Depot while studying at schools on every mountain top along the way.
Pioneers! They did establish the Constitution which keeps us from being dependent on government control. They asked no one to supply “business” for them. Independence!! (Lest U forget!)
That is why Kyle asks in disgusted SATIRE: “When will somebody else build my business for me?”
The president did not use satire. He wants CONTROL and he wants the POWER. I’m afraid he really means that Americans are helpless and need HIM to fill our every need. I disagree !.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 16th, 2012
7:03 pm
Dusty just won “Post of the Day”!
tiredofIT
July 16th, 2012
7:19 pm
Another quote: “Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.” — Ronald Reagan, 1981
tiredofIT
July 16th, 2012
7:32 pm
Romney’s Bain Yielded Private Gains, Socialized Losses
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-15/romney-s-bain-yielded-private-gains-socialized-losses.html
Don't Tread
July 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
“if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own”
Well, I suppose that statement certainly applies to HIM, doesn’t it? Other people, not so much. More government is never the answer, except to people who don’t like freedom so much.
@@
July 16th, 2012
7:43 pm
Dick Trickle was one of the winningest short track racers, of all time.
Wha-a-a-a-a-a-a
t!!??!!
What kinda parent would name their son Dick Trickle?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
7:44 pm
tiredofit
“Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.” —
He was absolutely right. The left believes that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, and there are many more trees than cars in this world. So, what is your point?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
7:45 pm
@@
Great, I missed that short description of Dick Trickle!
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
7:50 pm
@@
Dick Trickle isn’t the kind of guy that people would make fun of his name…..to his face. He’s a tough un.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
7:52 pm
The lack of civility on this blog is really appalling.
Not sure, what his gentleman is talking about, the blog seems quite civil considering how strongly people seem to hold their political beliefs.
What is certainly uncivil, is to accuse a candidate for the POTUS of committing a felony, with no evidence whatsoever, and to continue with the attack, when credible people step forward and correct you on your error. This incivility is beyond slinging mud.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 16th, 2012
7:54 pm
Hillbilly
I believe you, with a name like Dick Trickle, he had to be one tough dude, kinda like a boy named Sue.
@@
July 16th, 2012
7:57 pm
Hillbilly:
When it’s just the guys sitting around, there’s no way they’d pass on the opportunity to rib him about his name.
Back to the topic.
12.7 million Americans would not be unemployed without Obama’s help.
schnirt
Hillbilly D
July 16th, 2012
7:58 pm
Eight-year-old Dick Trickle was playing tag with his cousin Verlon on the rafters in a house under construction when he fell two floors to the basement and broke his hip. He was transferred from a local hospital to the University of Wisconsin Hospital with slow recovery. His recovery was so slow that the doctors gave up and sent him home presuming that he would be an invalid for the rest of his life.
He’s one tough dude.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Trickle
@@
July 16th, 2012
8:05 pm
He’s one tough dude.>/i>
If he suffered that kind of injury and bounced back, I’ve no doubt he could take a little ribbin’ from the guys.
(ISH)
Pizzaman
July 16th, 2012
8:08 pm
A couple days ago I asked 3 questions about Mitt here and on Bookman. I wasn’t able to follow up on Bookman because I got involved in name calling here. I apologize that wasn’t me. Sticks and stones. And thanks Dave for not removing the original questions.
But I did get one question answered. The place of manufacture of the Olympic uniforms when Mitt was in charge. Google says (thanks Tiberius) they were make in Burma. So, even if Mitt wasn’t at Bain then, he was still outsourcing.
But the question I really want answered is about Mitt’s Vietnam draft deferment. I have read that he got a deferment intended only for ordained Ministers.If this is true I deeply resent it, as should all my Vietnam vet brothers.
Vote early, vote often!
Kyle Wingfield
July 16th, 2012
8:11 pm
I’m a little late tonight, but here’s your reminder that all comments will be going through moderation until tomorrow morning.
MarkV
July 16th, 2012
8:12 pm
Dusty @7:02 pm
“MarkV–seems to believe that our country was settled early by pioneers who progressed on government roads, bridges, and man made material from Home Depot while studying at schools on every mountain top along the way.”
Dusty seems not to have used the interstate highway system in her life. Or, perhaps she believes it has been around since the time of the pioneers.
ragnar danneskjold
July 16th, 2012
8:42 pm
Perhaps it is time to take President Obama at his word, and blame his administration for the economy’s failure to thrive. Any autopsy would confirm that the economy was choked to death, strangled by regulations.
Bullet County
July 16th, 2012
8:47 pm
Kyle, if your Father is George Romney its real easy to have your business buildt by somebody else or as Newton Leroy says: “We’re not going to beat Barack Obama with some guy who has Swiss bank accounts, Cayman Island accounts, owns shares of Goldman Sachs while it forecloses on Florida and is himself a stockholder in Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac while he tries to think that the rest of us are too stupid to put the dots together to understand what this is all about.” Newt Gingrich, Mt. Dora, Florida, Jan 26, 2012
Michael H. Smith
July 16th, 2012
9:06 pm
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.
I’m a little late myself in getting back on this so it will go through moderation though I’d like to point out that your innuendo “It is an expression of supreme arrogance” is name calling – directed in response to me – the same that you accuse me and others of so often. Your temper is clearly getting the better of you, as so have I. However I did answered your question very accurately much to your chagrin. Which in turn leads you to tactically deflect and convolute into another assertion having been proven wrong on your last one, as you ask where did obumer say it and I pointed it out. Now you are trying to put words into Kyle’s mouth by saying because he didn’t claim something it means he would not or cannot make the statement – which is utterly false.
Kyle may have simply chosen not to say, he didn’t receive any help. But to go one better in besting you, many people can say they never received help or assistance in endeavors they have undertaken in their life and it is nothing but a fact not arrogance as you wrongly insist.
What you can’t get around and this is Kyle’s point: Your PrezDent obumer leans and try to lead others in the direction of government dependence and altruism. That somehow no one has the right to any individual success apart from help others or the government – which again is utterly false absent any arrogance, supreme or otherwise.
MarxV get over your hate of successful people and your envy of their prosperity. This sense you and obumer share which you both want to deposit upon all of us to believe as you do of the rich people owing everybody something because they are wealthy and because they made their fortune in America they owe the Federal obumer re-distributing Government half or more than half of all they have is really sickening – not only MARXIST to its’ core.
Does your coveting of what belongs to others burn your insides like a fire?
Dusty
July 16th, 2012
9:18 pm
Well, all I can say is I’m tickled to know about Dick Trickle.
(And ….thank you,,,, Lil Barry Bailout, for your kind words.)
Samantha
July 16th, 2012
9:22 pm
Barack Obama has no clue. His comments are an outrage to small business people all over the country and, more importantly, reflect his core marxist beliefs. Only Marxism believes that economic growth comes from class. Only Marxism believes that the people in a particular role on the economic ladder create wealth.
How did we get a president so utterly out of touch with what it means to be an American?
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 16th, 2012
9:27 pm
Pizzaman@8:06 – Saw your question about Mitt’s Vietnam draft deferment? Do not know, half the stuff I read I do not believe! What about Obama’s military history, did he ever volunteer or even consider it? Who knows, other than himself? Probably best he never joined, remember J Carey, his own troops threatened to do him in in Vietnam? Weren’t they going to throw him off his own boat in Nam? It could have been very dangerous for Obama with the troops in the field. But he was a good Community Organizer from what I hear!!!
don
July 16th, 2012
10:16 pm
To all idiots: You operated a business that depends on a stable society. Other people pay for law enforcement and the courts. In some way, you depend on roads, which other people pay for. Your education was paid for by other people. YOU DIDN’T DO IT BY YOURSELF.
mkurbo
July 16th, 2012
11:35 pm
Obama’s “Elizabeth Warren” like comment on how government is the creator/purveyor of all will go down in history as the most left leaning socialist comment ever made by an American president. It was a disgusting display of liberalism’s misguided view of reality courtesy of a Harvard education no less…
America was created by individuals. Individuals ALLOW the government to collect taxes to be used for infrastructure building that they willingly approve, such that future individuals can continue to create wealth for themselves and growth opportunities in America.
Without individuals and their success in the private sector – there would be no government and resultant public sector opportunities. These comments by Obama and Warren are proof positive that government needs to be reset in size and jurisdiction.
yuzeyurbrane
July 16th, 2012
11:43 pm
dawgdad–your intelligence gets insulted very easily. I think you should get a grip and stay away from hyperbole. Your interpretation of the Founding Fathers thoughts about govt. are inaccurate and your attempt to characterize Obama as a Socialist simply shows you really don’t know what Socialism is. I challenge you to give me a coherent definition which is factually defensible and explain how Obama’s policies meet that definition. You can’t because it would show that Obama is so mainstream that many on the real left get frustrated with him. By the way–the stock market has rebounded from its 2008 depths quite remarkably. All under the “Socialist” policies of Obama.
Old Timer
July 16th, 2012
11:44 pm
Obama can not function without pre arrainged telepromters–Chicago can not text him fast enough.
He has not been a “president” (small P) our country has been without one since the first debates in 2008. My grandad and my dad started their own businesses back in the 1930’s–the country was in depression and Roosevelt did not bankroll them Obama style.
Dirty Dawg
July 17th, 2012
12:36 am
You gotta stop relying on FauxNews for your information, and to use a great Jack McCoy line, ‘Are you that stupid Kyle or do you just think we are?’. The President was referring to ‘the American system’, not someone’s business. Damn I’m gonna enjoy your sniveling self on Nov 7…or will you call in sick? SFB!
Pizzaman
July 17th, 2012
12:47 am
Just read my post and can’t believe it. While trying to compliment you I called you Dave. Have no idea where that came from.
Sorry, Blue Side Up,
Pizzaman
PS: Never ever first but yesterday I was last!
rob
July 17th, 2012
1:04 am
Can we once and for all please understand that GOVERNMENT BUILDS NOTHING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO MONEY!!!! Taxpayers however do build lots of things that the government coordinates…..
jimbo
July 17th, 2012
6:58 am
Damn, conservatives have been reduced to obvious and childish lying. You only have to listen to 5 seconds of the quote to hear that he’s saying that business owners didn’t build the infrastructure that allowed them to build the business. This blatent misrepresentation should disqualify Wingfield from ever being taken seriously as a commentator again. And if the AJC continues to allow this Fox News form of commentary on its opinion pages, then its just as Bush league.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 17th, 2012
7:11 am
The government could pave the road in front of your house twelve times over and it wouldn’t help one bit in bringing a dream to fruition. Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is filled with magnificent boulevards that would make any city in the world envious. They just doesn’t have any cars driving on them or shops lining them or even people walking on them.
And which country do you think obozo would rather have us be?
Lynnie Gal
July 17th, 2012
7:32 am
You’ll realize the level of help you already have, Kyle, when you start valuing what others do for you. You didn’t become a journalist, father, or educated human being on your own any more than your legs dangle in space and have no ground under them for support. No one is “self made” and it’s impossible to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.” Think about that image. No one can do it. Human beings are social creatures and depend on each other for our very survival–always have. Conservatives are under the illusion that they do everything for themselves with no help from anyone else.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
July 17th, 2012
7:35 am
What we haven’t seen on this topic is any effective defense of Obozo’s collectivist theory of how an economy works.
If you support Obozo, you’re OK with communism.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 17th, 2012
7:39 am
Why is my comment at 7:11 awaiting moderation?
Do I need to enlist the help of the government to get it freed up?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 17th, 2012
7:39 am
Wooop, there it is!
tiredofIT
July 17th, 2012
7:46 am
I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.
–
This is what happens to your brain when you start your day with “Jack”.
MarkV
July 17th, 2012
7:49 am
Only when I had the time to read the whole transcript of the President’s speech in Roanoke, Virginia, and especially to listen to his words, I realized fully the shoddiness – or dishonesty – of Kyle’s reporting and the falsity of the main point of his article.
Here is what Kyle has done: He split – by inserting his comments – the President’s remarks and thus destroyed the context of Obama’s statement in a critical place, which allowed Kyle to twist what the President said into something he could mock and throw as raw meet to Obama’s attackers on this blog, claiming that Obama said that “If you’ve got a business” somebody else was going around building it.
Here is what the President actually said: “Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges – if you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”
“SOMEBODY INVESTED IN ROADS AND BRIDGES – IF YOU’VE GOT A BUSINESS — YOU DIDN’T BUILD THAT. ” ONE sentence, which makes undeniably clear that the President did not talk about somebody building your business, but about the roads and bridges (and the whole American system) that business people utilize.
The main point of Kyle’ article is a BIG LIE.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 17th, 2012
7:51 am
Meanwhile, back on Earth, if I pay you, that means you work for me. You act on my behalf to accomplish what I want to get done. From the very beginning of time, man paid other men to build roads, protect them from their shiftless liberal neighbors, carry away their trash. Back in the day, before the bureaucracy engulfed these menial tasks, the cost for this was BUDGETED and there was a strict OVERSIGHT as to the disposition of the collected monies. Not anymore. Even the bureaucracy doesn’t know where it all goes and we give it to them. Mind you, they do know where you are and have absolutely no problem locating the next giant chunk of money that they have this overwhelming desire to waste. And they are already thinking about the next chunk after that.
Nobody can call this “help.”
GT
July 17th, 2012
7:53 am
Woman and glass ceilings. Women’s IQ testing just went above men’s IQs for the first time in testing history. Wonder what caused that? Wonder what effect that will have on the futures of this part of society? Wonder if that is universal or just in the US? I wonder how long it will be before more women are going to prison or bragging about how they are irreplaceable?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 17th, 2012
7:55 am
As we speak, the government is borrowing your child’s future from China to fund their ability to bribe various voting constituencies with the money.
We can do with out your help. Thanks anyway!
MarkV
July 17th, 2012
7:56 am
Michael H. Smith July 16th, 2012 @9:06 pm: “MarxV get over your hate of successful people and your envy of their prosperity.”
Kyle’s Rule #2: “Anyone who refers to another commenter by anything other than the handle the latter uses will receive a ban of at least one week.”
I hope Kyle keeps his word.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
July 17th, 2012
8:02 am
“SOMEBODY INVESTED IN ROADS AND BRIDGES”
———
Thanks to Obozo’s UN-American $1.5 trillion deficits, wouldn’t that be China?
MarkV
July 17th, 2012
8:06 am
To claim that saying about a statement that “It is an expression of supreme arrogance” is name calling is laughable.
To claim that many people can say they never received help or assistance in endeavors they have undertaken in their life is even more laughable.
GT
July 17th, 2012
8:12 am
Check out what caused women’s IQs to increase and what held them back until recently. Seems to me the universal truth here is the environment causes the IQ and that in turn offers the individuals the opportunities that the enjoy. I might add one of this regions real problems is it doesn’t believe in this as much as other sections of the country. They believe the sweat of the brow outranks the development of the IQ for man or woman. The south is always a slow developing economy because of it.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/16/women-beat-men-on-iq-tests-for-first-time/
fair and balanced
July 17th, 2012
8:17 am
“”"”"”"”"”"”"The win didn’t come cheaply. Caterpillar is eligible for job tax credits and a project development grant totaling $45 million, according to Alison Tyrer, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. That does not include jobs training provided by the state under Georgia’s Quick Start program.
In addition, incentives offered by Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties, valued at more than $30 million over 20 years, include tax abatements and infrastructure construction. “”"
See Caterpillar to move work from Japan to new Georgia plant
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Posted February 17, 2012
So how many of the bloggers get the Presidents point that to lure businesses back to using American workers after all the rampant outsourcing over the last twenty five yeaqrs by people like Romney it is going to take some assistanc from the government???????????????????????????????????????
That Caterpillar plant would not be moving from Japan to the US without government aide.Kyle you have a business you want to move back from overseas? tell us about it.