The sad part really is.

[VTA]

That his supporters will continue to deny he's trying to transform the U.S. into a socialist state.

President Obama, in a speech to supporters, suggested business owners owe their success to government investment in infrastructure and other projects -- saying “if you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that.”

Obama’s comment Friday during a campaign stop in Roanoke, Va., came just days after he urged Congress to extend tax cuts enacted during the Bush administration only to families earning less than $250,000 annually -- part of his argument that top earners have an obligation to pay more to trim the deficit.

Link

[erdawiro]

In the full quote it's obvious he was saying that even if you've built a thriving business, you didn't build the infrastructure that allows your business to succeed.

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.*

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.* That would be a hard way to organize fighting fires.

So we say to ourselves, ever since the founding of this country, you know what, there are some things we do better together.* That's how we funded the GI Bill.* That's how we created the middle class.* That's how we built the Golden Gate Bridge or the Hoover Dam.* That's how we invented the Internet.* That's how we sent a man to the moon.* We rise or fall together as one nation and as one people, and that's the reason I'm running for President -- because I still believe in that idea.* You're not on your own, we're in this together.

That's not socialism.

[VTA]

Of course it's presented flowery enough, but it's proper interpretation is predicated on actions. For the sake of allowing an argument to be made, it's opened up to sounding prettily unified, when in reality, coupled with his actions of creating rights from thin air (see the enabling of joblessness, the healthcare tax, bill, law, whatever and a further reliance of government) you see someone ingratiating himself in order to draw closer and become more integrated. You really didn't think such a concept would come with a mini-moustache and an iron first?

Having a reasoned explanation doesn't readily equate to utter honesty in intent. I don't need to see anymore to see what this guy is all about and yes, the side that voted for him for years was lamenting our lack of progressive social models while using Europe as it's model of who and what is considered 'progressive' and successful. It's a clear and logical line of understanding. Predictable and readily recognizable. It may work for the people who are invested in the political process beyond duty and who have bought the line that your vote is based on your IQ, but it doesn't work on me.

What I'd said Here merits repeating.

I really don't know what you think; whether or not you're being dishonest to keep up the good fight or really are missing the obvious. You're obviously not dumb, but obstinacy isn't based on intellectual abilities.

[iceberg]

In the full quote it's obvious he was saying that even if you've built a thriving business, you didn't build the infrastructure that allows your business to succeed.

That's not socialism.

so it's not socialistic, but you can't succeed without others? society?

wow. dumbass statement of the year so far by obama:
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.

and government research didn't invent the internet so we could make money off it. i don't care who you are that was a very stupid thing to say. glad to see mr blackberry has such a solid understanding of how the internet came to be.

[erdawiro]

so it's not socialistic, but you can't succeed without others? society?

and government research didn't invent the internet so we could make money off it. i don't care who you are that was a very stupid thing to say.

You can't build a business without utilizing the benefits of society, no.

And yes, saying government research invented the internet so businesses could make money off of it is a stupid thing to say. In light of the rest of his comments, I imagine he meant something along the lines of this: "Government research laid the groundwork for the modern Internet that businesses now use to reach more customers and sell more products". I doubt President Obama really things the Internet was created with private businesses in mind.

[iceberg]

You can't build a business without utilizing the benefits of society, no.

And yes, saying government research invented the internet so businesses could make money off of it is a stupid thing to say. In light of the rest of his comments, I imagine he meant something along the lines of this: "Government research laid the groundwork for the modern Internet that businesses now use to reach more customers and sell more products". I doubt President Obama really things the Internet was created with private businesses in mind.

don't know what he meant, i know what he said. in this instance he has said:

1. you can't succeed alone.
2. the government intended the internet to turn out the way it did. even if take your stretch armstrong reach here, no way in hell did darpa say "my god, we can secure our country, allow the free flow of porn, and setup ebay in all this!

so, the government didn't set out to setup the internet to do anything of the kind. smart, intelligent people drove this to where it is today taking advantage of opportunties presented to them. to say "well someone had to pay to put down that road you drove on" well 'cha. no brainer. so what did he really mean? it *sounds* to me like it means we're all in this together and people who succeed should carry those who are the day to day infrastructure cause w/o them, we're all toast.

again, i have no idea what he hopes to gain out of saying the obvious unless the obvious isn't what he really means.

[iceberg]

also - if the internet is such a shining example of government success, understand it is also the least regulated "beast" out there.

coincidence or common sense? :)

[VTA]

Where oh where does government funding come from? Is government a self perpetuating entity that the people benefit from?
This is getting ludicrous.

[iceberg]

Where oh where does government funding come from? Is government a self perpetuating entity that the people benefit from?
This is getting ludicrous.

great. those roads and infrastructure and gains of the past were paid for already through taxes and the like. that's what taxes are for!!!! if the democrats would ever pay them maybe it would make more sense.

[VTA]

great. those roads and infrastructure and gains of the past were paid for already through taxes and the like. that's what taxes are for!!!! if the democrats would ever pay them maybe it would make more sense.

The idea that a bunch of do nothings want to take the hard work of the people who fought and died for this country's freedom and throw it in your face should be an insult. Fucking ludicrous to the extreme.