5
edits
Changes
→"You didn't build that" Controversy
{{cquote|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.}}
{{cquote|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.}}
It is fairly clear that when Obama said "you didn't build that," he is referring to roads, bridges, and other [[infrastructure]] and technological advancements that government played a key role in funding and creating, though plenty of people may disagree over how much government is actually required for businesses to be successful. But many Obama opponents, including the [[Romney]] campaign, took that one sentence ("If you’ve got a business - you didn’t build that") out of context, making it seem like the President is not giving credit to business owners for having built their own businesses. Obama could have been more clear about what he was referring to, which is unusual because he is often praised for his [[Political_positions_of_Barack_Obama#Public_speaking|public speeches]]. This could be a case of Obama speaking off-script, providing further evidence for his reliance on [[teleprompter]]s.
It is fairly clear that when Obama said "you didn't build that," he is referring to roads, bridges, and other [[infrastructure]] and technological advancements that government played a key role in funding and creating, though plenty of people may disagree over how much government is actually required for businesses to be successful. But many Obama opponents, including the [[Romney]] campaign, took that one sentence ("If you’ve got a business - you didn’t build that") out of context, making it seem like the President is not giving credit to business owners for having built their own businesses. Obama could have been more clear about what he was referring to, which is unusual because he is often praised for his [[Political_positions_of_Barack_Obama#Public_speaking|public speeches]]. This could be a case of Obama speaking off-script, providing further evidence for his reliance on [[teleprompter]]s.
In contrast, here is Romney's quote from the 2002 Olympics:
“You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities. All right!"
Here, he is stating something very similar to that of Obama but in a different setting a full decade ago.
==See also==
==See also==