Last Friday, July 13th, President Obama said this at a campaign stop in Roanoke, Virginia, “If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”
In case you need to see it from his own lips, here is the video :
Fairness assurance: click here to see text of entire speech if you want.
To be fair, he said some other things in the speech in which I agree. Paraphrasing, he mentioned that others contributed to business builders’ success such as a great teacher or someone who invested in roads and bridges. However, he did say what is outlined in the video.
The man deserves to be believed. I think he truly believes that the owners of businesses did not build their businesses. He truly believes that somebody else made that happen and that the owners are just fortunate people who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
This is a curious outlook on life.
Anyone who survives the grind of running for President, to become our leader, should have a greater appreciation for the physical and mental discipline it takes to become a successful business owner. I can appreciate the grind it takes to win the Presidency. The candidate must work countless 12 to 14 hour days, travel constantly and be “on” all the time. He must constantly be guarded in the things that he says because there are always people looking to take advantage of any stumble that you make.
Amazingly, the description of running for the Presidency above sounds eerily familiar to almost any entrepreneur. The difference is that a Presidential candidate must do this for over a year. An entrepreneur must do it for decades.
With these similarities, you would think that President Obama would have more empathy and respect for business owners than this quote shows.
Now if you are thinking that you are not a business owner and this attitude does not affect you, think again. How would you have an opportunity to have a job if the original business owner had not taken a chance with their time and money and jumped out on faith and started the business years earlier? Also, did you know that business owner risks everything they own to personally guarantee their bank and/or bonding company with their personal assets?
Bottom line:
- Respect the man and believe what he says
- He does not respect the efforts of business owners
- He is intent on transferring your wealth, no matter how hard you worked to earn it, to others
- Do not sit on the sidelines and hope that he is defeated in the upcoming election; do something to influence the outcome if you want a change
This Blog is the start of my pro-active stance on the election; what will yours be?
Post your comments and let us stimulate the discussion.
Thanks,
Ted S. Miller
Project of the Week –
Located in Atlanta, Buckhead Church utilized Aluminum Composite Panels on studs and within the curtainwall to achieve a look consistent with the modern office buildings and condo towers it has as neighbors. Miller-Clapperton fabricated panels for installation by Gardner Glass & Glazing for this project.
Well stated and fair Ted. Funny how we try to be fair but he has no problem ripping into small business owners every chance he gets!!
The apparent disdain that President Obama holds for the U.S., the U.S. free enterprise system and the very foundation this country has been built on is both amazing and discomforting. Creative, hard-working and well-managed companies, like MCP, achieve and succeed despite the rules, regulations, short-sighted interventions and disincentives of the government. These companies are the very backbone and strength all all that we do. Well written, Ted!
Ted.
I think that this must be taken out of context. I think what was meant is that in building our businesses that we are not alone. We needed lenders, investors, clients, and the talents of our employees. No man(or business) is an island in our business endeavors.
We must not assume that our viewpoint is everyone’s else.
jstep
I stated in the Blog that there were parts of the speech in which I agreed. However, he said what he said and it appeared to be an ad lib and often people say what they really mean when they go away from their prepared remarks. As far as assuming about other’s viewpoints. I speak only for myself. Everyone can speak their own mind in our great country that allows free speech. Thanks for your comment.
Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that.
Ted,
As a small business owner, I accept that the success of my business needs the goverment. Let’s not be naive or arrogant to believe that the success of our companies is all about us. We need accessible roads, bridges, police, and many other taxpayer paid items to create our success.
The President clearly states this in the above comment and clearer in the next paragraph. Let’s stop the “rightwing” and “leftist” ranting and start thinking with our heads and not our party lines. Let’s all take the “middle” and agree and disagree with truths in lieu of sound bites. It would be nice if I did not recieve 10 emails a day that either disparages the President or forgives every mistake he makes.
I really enjoy your comments and will continue to read if they are your thoughts and not a party line.
Ed D
Thanks for your comment. I can assure you these are my thoughts. I do not belong to any party. In fact I believe that there is only one active party and that is the “Incumbent Party”.
I understand that there are government accomplishments that help to provide facilities to make businesses more sustainable but think about who pays for these accomplishments. I submit to you that it is Business Builders who pay the largest share of the money that funds these programs.
I am pleased to be able to have had the opportunity to build, with my partners, a business that provides the opportunity for nearly 100 families to make a living. I realize that my partners and I did not do this by ourselves but our willingness to “put it all on the line” everyday is what provided the opportunity and the President did not acknowledge that with his comment, “If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”
Uncle Ted,
In the midst of emotional anguish that many may communicate out of emotion and or distress over the present condition of our country, your words of respect, gentleness and conviction speak louder than any protest. Thank you for your words. A prouder nephew there never was.
Zack
Thanks Zack. The Office of President should always be respected as well as the current office holder.