"You Didn't Build That" Obama

Since we're talking about free markets and the dramatically different views Romney and Obama take of free markets, Obama gave some revealing statements at a recent campaign speech.  Paraphrasing, he said that the successful business owners are not due special credit for their success, because they couldn't have done it alone, and - apparently - "because there are other smart people and hard workers out there."

This does not seem hard for me, but apparently it is for Mr. Obama, so let's spell it out.  While of course it's true that none of us are totally "self made" and we benefit and learn from others - that is, we all contribute to one another's lives - it clearly is not true that all people take equal advantage of the opportunities afforded them.

Obama used the example of bridges and other public infrastructure that may be necessary for a particular business and business owner to thrive and succeed.  And yet, other businesses and individuals have access to the same bridges and roads but may not take advantage of this or succeed to the same degree - for various reasons, true, but the fact remains.

The harsh truth is that if you take Obama's reasoning to its logical conclusion, he's demeaning individual effort and innovation.  One business owner is motivated and outworks and outthinks his competitor and therefore succeeds - along with his employees and their families - but Obama gives no extra credit there because "maybe they had a teacher who taught them well" in the past, etc.

Consider a society which demeans any extraordinary individual effort and creativity - does that not start to look and feel like socialism, even communism?  This is critical because it reflects Obama's worldview.  Is it a worldview that will lead America to rise again as it has in the past?

Paul Ryan, in a Facebook post, says it well:

"The President recently suggested that a central government – not individuals – deserves the credit for building successful businesses. This sentiment makes for terrible economics, but also reveals a confused morality. In a free community, everyone co-operates by voluntarily offering unique gifts: some invent, some invest, others labor, or sell while customers reward the best producers and providers by buying their products and services. Government has a critical role to play in this process: establishing rules that enable open competition and securing peace and order with courts, defense forces, first responders, teachers, infrastructure, and a safety net for the most vulnerable. Government helps create the space for innovation and prosperity, but government does not fill that space – and it should not try to, as the last few years have shown us. Only free citizens create things that improve our lives. A free economy and strong communities are the best means to reward effort with justice, to promote upward mobility, and to build solidarity among citizens. The President’s vision of a government-centered society – reflected in both his troubling rhetoric and his failed policies – belittles fair rewards for labor and enterprise. To renew prosperity and rebuild our communities, we must recommit to the American Idea of freedom and justice for all."

And hear this from Mr. Romney today:



I'm going with Mitt Romney on this one.  You?

UPDATE: More great thoughts on the topic in this interview of Mark Levin.  Excellent.