President Obama: ‘If You’ve Got a Business — You Didn’t Build That. Somebody Else Made That

Originally posted by MidnightTide
What a load of garbage, the government didn't build a damn thing. It is the people, their sweat, their tears and their blood that builds a nation. It seems that those in government, from both parties, have forgotten this. Without the people, the government is nothing.

That's an interesting statement. Let me reword it slightly to reveal to you some truth.

What a load of garbage, the CEO's and shareholders didn't build a damn thing. It is the people, their sweat, their tears and their blood that builds a nation. It seems that those in business, at the top and bottom, have forgotten this. Without the people, the business world is nothing.

Understand? Unless you're a sole trader with no employees than you haven't achieved success all on your own. The title of this thread is twisting what Obama is actually saying, he is saying that we need to acknowledge all the people involved. He wouldn't say the Government built everything, he would say exactly what the above paragraph says.

Now don't get me wrong, I completely despise Obama for some of the things he has done, and you will be hard pressed to find one other post where I have ever defended Obama, but he is absolutely correct in this case. CEO's and shareholders never acknowledge the hard working people who have helped them achieve success, they think it's all because of them.

They think they deserve a wage hundreds of times higher than the employees who actually do most of the heavy lifting and keep the heart of the business pumping, who often get payed minimum wages while the people at the top make as much in a single day as they make in a whole year, and often work less hours. That is completely sickening if you ask me.

It's exactly the same in numerous other fields. Take actors or musicians for example. We give awards to single actors while we ignore the hundreds and even thousands of other people who were involved in the process of making the movie. We pay them hundreds of times more money than the other people involved in the project.

Hardly any business owners are willing to admit this truth, because the system has trained them to have a bloated ego blind to the actual work produced by employees of the business, they think it's all because of them and their brilliance. There are quantum physicists who are several factors smarter than any shareholder or CEO yet they make ten times less.

Hardly anything gets done by the effort of one person, it's when we work together for common goals that big achievements often get realized. There is no one CEO or shareholder, no one Government, no one politician, no one employee, who ever achieved anything without some some degree of help from another person. What Obama said here is the simple truth.

Originally posted by tkwasny
I am so going to plagiarise that last sentance, Nite-Wing. I've never heard that before and it holds very high information density.

You probably shouldn't, it doesn't sound like he has much of a clue of what he's talking about.

Capitalism/Materialism always leads to one of two things: a rise in tyranny or socialism. Marxism is more akin to the republic we live under in America than the economic system we use, this economic system is what is being so widely praised and guarded even though its inevitably going to change. Matter of fact they are two different things entirely. It's odd that people think that "capitalism" is supposed to be our type of government or something.

Virginia is a commonwealth state and by nature it is "more socialist" than a lot of places in the US, that's probably why Obama was saying a lot of the things he did there. I don't think Nite-Wing understands anything about these systems, how they relate to each other or how they are similar. He's merely reciting punch lines and defending something he doesn't understand. People eat up propaganda and think certain things and words are supposed to be "inherently bad", not understanding that our state and local governments and even our republic to some extent follows principles along the lines of socialism. Or at least it was meant to when it was conceived, instead of forced socialism we are supposed to be operating under a bargaining system where employment is a mutual contract and not something that feels more like slavery where the fief doesn't have much of a say in how much hes paid or the conditions of his life and work, or if there is any work at all because it's all outsourced for the almighty dollar.

Hence, the poor become poorer and the rich become richer and throw money at our government system and America becomes the oligarchy that everyone so blindly believes it is supposed to be. "The dark ages" lasted for centuries before there was finally an intellectual awakening and revolution, nothing happened except tyranny and the accumulation of power in the hands of a few. How long will the next one last? Forever?

The problem is our systems of government are being distorted and ignored in the minds of men in favor of an economic system. The economic system is becoming our government system through cronyism, bribery and corruption. Another word for a government system based on classes and materialism is feudalism, feudalism sucks so bad its what inspired the Magna Carta and then later on our own Constitution. People like to say Democrats are "socialists"... well they aren't, "fascist social republican" would be a better word for what a lot of people mean I think, it's still not the right one and hell I don't even know if a word exists for what the Democratic party has become. Democrats like to use people's ignorance and tendency to form into opposing groups to boost their own power, there really isn't much that's socialist about it and the messed up thing is nobody understands or cares.

Hell, I don't really even understand. It's pretty complicated and rife with problems. What it all boils down to is we are being screwed out of our right to decide what our country is to become.

My fate is to live among varied and confusing storms. But for you perhaps, if as I hope and wish you will live long after me, there will follow a better age. This sleep of forgetfulness will not last for ever. When the darkness has been dispersed, our descendants can come again in the former pure radiance.
Petrarch

reply to post by ChaoticOrder


star,
the simple truth is no one secedes in isolation,

people forget
the simple truth

xploder

Originally posted by MidnightTide

Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

www.theblaze.com...

This one is what interests me. How many of you remember the Internet before the World Wide Web? How many of you remember BBS's and Telenet services or Telnet and Hytelnet to access The Internet?

I do. I used them all for years before anything resembling the internet we have today was even thought of. Not only is this a Big Lie by our President it's telling of how Government manipulated the internet to take it's power out of the hands of the people and into the government sphere and of corporations.

At one time, when the Graphical Web, the W.W.W. was new for a few years we enjoyed the freedom of speech and sharing of ideas and knowledge - then suddenly almost overnight everything changed. Now the web was full of commercialism and government censorship. They killed The Internet about 15 years ago and turned it into a tool to control and capitalize on the masses instead of the tool for freedom it was meant to be. The graphical web became the dominant leg and the telnet type access died.

I'd give up all the graphics and videos and other stuff to have the true internet back in a heartbeat. They call it progress. I call it another form of slavery.

reply to post by MidnightTide


This dude should carry a tape recorder so he can hear what he sounds like....what a D-bag.

He's so far off the pulse he couldn't find his azz with both hands a rear view mirror and a map. And no mods this post is not off topic.

Our commander in dumb has pretty much said the creator of ATS didn't make ATS....someone else did.

Now how stupid is that? He's just trying to justify his stupidity. He cannot sell this like he wants to so he stutters.

Stutterin Obamamy, listen to him back stroke...

reply to post by Manhater


Hey hey Manhater -- well yeah I think that a lot of wealthy people had help. For example, I started a business because I was given some money from my grandmother. I had quality education because of my parents. This is just the way things go - and in order to continue this cycle, it is only correct for me to give back to society when I can.

I personally want to see as many people be as successful as possible, so that they can give back, so that society as a whole can prosper. I don't see the value in making other people suffer - I can feel their pain as if it were my own.

reply to post by stanguilles7


We the People made all of that happen. Who do you think made the Gov't. able to build or even sponsor the infrastructure? We can go back to the beginning to answer this if we need to..

If you plant a garden, would it be ok if I say to you;

.........you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen

.

It's not what he said, it's why he chose to say what he did, and to use that particular wording.
-------------------------

And just what did he say?

"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."

...that WE have allowed you to thrive. Who is this we he's talking about, because last I heard, it was WE who voted for THEM. And "allowed" is not going to gain much popularity.

reply to post by ChaoticOrder


Nice work, ChaoticOrder. I like your posts.

Originally posted by MidnightTide
President Obama: ‘If You’ve Got a Business — You Didn’t Build That. Somebody Else Made That Happen’

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.

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. 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.

www.theblaze.com...


Just a few quotes from President Obama's speech in Roanoke, Virginia and it speaks volumes of how that individual thinks. To me, those statements suggest we all should be so very thankful of the government, of how "they" built the infrastructure we all enjoy, and don't mind when we raise your taxes...it is paying back the government, who really built your business.

What a load of garbage, the government didn't build a damn thing. It is the people, their sweat, their tears and their blood that builds a nation. It seems that those in government, from both parties, have forgotten this. Without the people, the government is nothing.

Is there seriously any chance that this arrogant p***k will gain a second term of office in your country?

Most of the Americans that I have met over here are absolutely passionately against Obama.

reply to post by ChaoticOrder


Star for your post, you have sound logic.

Once again Obama shows that he is captured by Wall Street and the banker mentality. In a small way he is right but when it comes to the practical application Obama is completely wrong!

when a country governs for the benefit of businesses then the people and main Street have lost!

Take it easy and think about it for a moment. Give your nerves and emotions a chance to calm down a bit. Now reread the actual speech in context and you can see what Obama is trying it say. It's not as nefarious as you think it is.

reply to post by MidnightTide


actually, I don't think he is actually giving the gov't credit for it as much as the people around the successful throughout their lives that helped them...ya know teachers, heck, their employees!!!

ya, he was here a few days ago, yippy!! by what I read, there was about 20 people who faited because it was hot and they had everyone crammed into an area of a few blocks, like sardines in a can!! lol...I probably actually was closer to him than many of the people who were there, just sitting in my backyard watching his limo wizz by!
oh, and for the govt who know keeps an eye on these boards, sorry to have made the white van come through twice checking us out, we just wanted to watch the limo go by....
and well, was the bat that circled around us about six times a drone??

Originally posted by MaryStillToe
He's telling the truth, but selfish and greedy people can not see the truth.

You don't think that people wanting to steal money from the productive members of society, simply because they have earned more, isn't selfish? It's the ultimate in selfishness. Their mantra - If someone else has earned more simply take it from them and then lie and claim it's for the 'greater good'. THAT is what is selfish.

Øbama's speech really stretches the point to the breaking point where it sounds nonsensical to anyone not in his camp.

sure Eisenhower got the interstate highway system up, got the Atoms for Peace started, rural electrification & postal service was before his time...but those things were initiated by government and many private spin-off businesses were created

as for the internet, in 1967 i requested to go to computer training school, (Army Signal Corps), see there was already a primitive network of Universities doing Research Projects and Defense Contractors which needed to share information and the tele-types/air-mail/telephone service/etc just were not fast or secure enough to connect these dozens of venues together...
So, indeed the government planted the 'seed idea' of the internet

also, Defense Contractors discovered how to make microprocessors instead of just transistors...but it was the innovation of individuals and the desire to beat the phone company monopoly of the copper wire spider web of telephone/telegraph lines that made the advancements to the internet we have today

to my thinking, Øbama should give just as much credit to the early telephone hackers and other assorted patent & copyright high-jackers that he gives gov't in creating the internet...

but you see---he's biased to his ideological worldview

Originally posted by MidnightTide
President Obama: ‘If You’ve Got a Business — You Didn’t Build That. Somebody Else Made That Happen’

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.

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. 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.

www.theblaze.com...


Just a few quotes from President Obama's speech in Roanoke, Virginia and it speaks volumes of how that individual thinks. To me, those statements suggest we all should be so very thankful of the government, of how "they" built the infrastructure we all enjoy, and don't mind when we raise your taxes...it is paying back the government, who really built your business.

What a load of garbage, the government didn't build a damn thing. It is the people, their sweat, their tears and their blood that builds a nation. It seems that those in government, from both parties, have forgotten this. Without the people, the government is nothing.

Obama is "thinking out loud" again, and only preaching to his own choir.

The story also mentions that similar words were spoken by the exposed liar Elizabeth Warren a few months ago.

These are simple attempts to undermine and demean any and all forms of individualism.

His tactics are classic Alinsky, and the agenda is generally Marxist.

Individuals get "help" of course when working towards a goal.

And business people PAY for that "help" in both short term and long term benefits.

The "helpers" don't work for free.

Without individual initiatives, the Money ain't there for the "helpers" to get.

Obama has lost perhaps 30% - 40% of the voters who voted for his agenda in 2008.

Those people now realize they themselves have become the victims.

People who are recently forced on assistance programs have taken a huge cut in pay.

They want the jobs back and they want the normal life back.

Obama is desperately trying to hold on to the voters who still are on board, and recruit new voters who could not vote last election.

Classic raving jealousy at its best

reply to post by tamusan


It doesn't matter who you vote for, both candidates work for the same people.

reply to post by MidnightTide


Well, from what I’ve read, that you quoted (and i haven’t yet read the full speech) I completely agree with Obama on this one.

There seems to be this growing self importance in some people that, if you are successful, its because you’re sooo great as an individual.

This, full of yourself, attitude of arrogance and pride is repugnant to me. Sneering at others who are less successful. And it’s not just people at the top of the corporate food chain. This vile self centred attitude filters all the way down to were even a person with the humblest of jobs will look down their nose at an un-employed person and sneer "we’ll look at me... i got a job, i must obviously be a better person than you"

Now while i agree that hard work and determination will help to get you to your life’s targets and dreams... you also require a good deal of luck. Especially in the current economic climate. Anyone who thinks otherwise is nothing more than an arrogant narcissistic fool.

This whole attitude of "F you jack i'm alright"... is a step backwards in human progress. It’s simply social Darwinism and seems to be engraved in the capitalist philosophy....

"Hell yeah" lets high five myself at how fracking great i am "Me... I... Alone... un-helped, struggled to the top"... Er... no you didn’t! For crying out loud... chill out, take a step back, and realise that you are not the centre of the universe!!

An interesting addition to this...

I watched a documentary once where they explained the ratio of people with psychopathic tendencies was far higher at the top end of big business then compared to the population in general.

No surprise really... absolutely no empathy shown to others, while crapping on them, on your way to the tope... and then the smug audacity to believe it was achieved because you are so great.


How far would these successful people have gotten if they had no teachers to teach them, no parents to raise them, no friends to encourage them, no banks to loan to them, no roads to transport them, no environment to sustain them, no colleagues to crap on, and no people to employ??

These people need to get off their high horse!!

Phew... no breath... in... out... in...out hehe

Peace

Originally posted by Beavers
reply to post by tamusan

 

It doesn't matter who you vote for, both candidates work for the same people.

Indeed... that is actually very very true!!

Originally posted by MidnightTide
President Obama: ‘If You’ve Got a Business — You Didn’t Build That. Somebody Else Made That Happen’

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.

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. 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.

www.theblaze.com...


Just a few quotes from President Obama's speech in Roanoke, Virginia and it speaks volumes of how that individual thinks. To me, those statements suggest we all should be so very thankful of the government, of how "they" built the infrastructure we all enjoy, and don't mind when we raise your taxes...it is paying back the government, who really built your business.

What a load of garbage, the government didn't build a damn thing. It is the people, their sweat, their tears and their blood that builds a nation. It seems that those in government, from both parties, have forgotten this. Without the people, the government is nothing.

This definitely seems to have gotten your blood pressure up, well I have great news for you! Obama appears to have made a bit of an omission in his train of thought in your out of context snippet, and it has already been mentioned, but ignored for some reason.

The very next line:
"The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don’t do on our own. I mean, imagine if everybody had their own fire service."

changes the meaning completely doesn't it? So I guess you must be relieved from your self -righteous outrage.

That is the great thing about taking things in context; you can tell what the person really means.