Romney Hits 'Didn't Build That' Obama Remark

Summary

In this speech, the speaker critiques President Obama's view that business owners do not build their businesses themselves, but rather benefit from government infrastructure and support. The speaker argues that while public services like teachers and firefighters are crucial, they are funded by taxpayers, and it is the individual entrepreneurs who take the risks and make the investments that lead to business success. The speech emphasizes a vision of America where the nation's greatness is driven by the freedom of individuals to pursue their dreams, contrasting this with a reliance on government for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Obama stated that if you have a business, you didn’t build it alone; others, including government, played a key role.
• 😀 The statement emphasized the importance of teachers, firefighters, and infrastructure in business success, suggesting that government contributions are vital.
• 😀 The speaker challenges Obama's view, arguing that people who start businesses understand the role of personal effort and entrepreneurship.
• 😀 The speaker criticizes Obama's statement as an indication of a philosophy that undervalues individual responsibility and free enterprise.
• 😀 The argument contrasts two visions of America: one where greatness comes from government intervention and the other from the freedom of individuals pursuing their dreams.
• 😀 The speaker claims that Obama's policies failed to create jobs or increase incomes, pointing to this as evidence of a flawed approach to governance.
• 😀 The transcript stresses that taxpayers fund government services, which are essential but should not be confused with being the sole source of business success.
• 😀 The speaker asserts that Obama's rhetoric is surprising coming from the president of the United States, highlighting a philosophical divide over the role of government.
• 😀 The upcoming election is framed as a referendum on the 'soul of America,' asking whether the country’s future should be defined by government or by free people.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by asserting that America’s greatness stems from its people’s ability to pursue their dreams and build their futures, without over-relying on government support.

Q & A

What is the central point the speaker is making about President Obama's view on business?

The speaker suggests that President Obama believes businesses are not built by entrepreneurs themselves but are the result of government support and contributions from various public sectors, such as teachers, firefighters, and infrastructure workers.

How does the speaker feel about President Obama's comments on businesses?

The speaker is critical of President Obama's comments, finding them both startling and revealing. He believes that anyone who has actually started or been involved in a business would not have made such a statement.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of government and business?

The speaker contrasts two perspectives: one where America is great because of government intervention and support, and the other where America is great because of the freedom and initiative of its people to pursue their dreams and build businesses.

What specific policies of President Obama does the speaker refer to as failures?

The speaker refers to Obama's policies that failed to create jobs or increase incomes in America, suggesting that these failures can be understood in light of his view on businesses and government.

What does the speaker think about the role of government in supporting businesses?

While the speaker acknowledges the importance of government services like schools, fire departments, and infrastructure, he emphasizes that these are funded by taxpayers and that entrepreneurs should be recognized for their role in building businesses, not the government.

How does the speaker view the relationship between taxpayers and government-funded services?

The speaker points out that taxpayers fund the government services that support businesses, implying that businesses are not solely dependent on government but on the contributions of people, including taxpayers who finance these services.

What does the speaker mean by 'the soul of America' in the context of this election?

The speaker refers to 'the soul of America' as the fundamental question of whether the country’s greatness comes from government involvement or from the freedom of its citizens to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions and dreams.

How does the speaker differentiate between the two visions of America's greatness?

The speaker contrasts two visions: one in which America’s greatness stems from government action and intervention, and another where America’s greatness comes from the ability of free individuals to pursue their dreams and build businesses.

Why does the speaker refer to Obama's statements as 'startling and revealing'?

The speaker finds Obama's statements startling because they reflect a philosophy that the speaker believes undermines the role of individual initiative in business success and reveals a belief in government as the primary driver of business success.

What does the applause at the end of the transcript signify?

The applause likely signifies support from the audience for the speaker’s viewpoint on the importance of individual initiative and the idea that America’s greatness is derived from the freedom of its citizens to succeed independently, rather than from government intervention.