Back in November, President Obama told business leaders at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that U.S. policymakers have been "a little bit lazy" when it comes to attracting businesses to American soil. Republicans spent a week attacking the president, saying he was calling Americans "lazy." They simply ignored the context.
It's a bad habit, and this week, as my estimable colleague Kent Jones dutifully noted yesterday, it's happening again. For the record, here's the speech the president delivered over the weekend in Roanoke, Virginia.
Towards the end of the speech, echoing a sentiment Elizabeth Warren articulated quite well last year, Obama stressed the way in which American society helps people prosper.
"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.... 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."
Fox News took the quote, carefully edited out the context, and soon after, Republicans decided they had a new talking point on their hands. Paul Ryan, the right-wing chairman of the House Budget Committee, helped lead the way.
A conservative writer ran this item last night.
It was Rep. Paul Ryan's wife, Janna, who first saw -- via Twitter -- President Obama's recent comments about American entrepreneurs, that "if you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."
And the Wisconsin Republican -- thought to be on Mitt Romney's running-mate short list -- couldn't believe it. He thought someone must "have been putting words in the president's mouth."
But Obama said it all.
Well, no, actually he didn't. Ryan argued that Obama "slipped" and accidentally mentioned his radical leftist ideology, but that only makes sense if you deliberately feign ignorance and ignore the context.
And that's precisely what Ryan, Rush Limbaugh, Fox, and a motley crew of activists are doing to manufacture outrage where none should exist.
As Jonathan Bernstein explained, "By 'you didn't build that,' Obama clearly means business-people didn't build 'the unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive.'"
Perhaps this concept is too sophisticated for the president's critics; perhaps they understand it well but are hoping their hysterics will distract from Mitt Romney's recent troubles.
Either way, this is just cheap. There's nothing even controversial about the concept of Americans relying on public institutions and one another for success. If you start a business, you rely on the police to protect it if someone tries to break in; you rely on public schools to provide you with capable employees; you rely on public roads to move goods and services; you rely on the Internet; etc.
That's obviously what the president was talking about. If the right disagrees with the observation, fine, let's have the debate. But to pretend Obama said something he didn't by way of selective editing is kind of pathetic.
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To be fair, Fox distilled the quote down to a form most easily digested by its viewers - Red meat.
So fox viewers all have A.D.D.? The rest of us who can retain more than 3 seconds of video should watch this and make our own conclusions. The message is that it takes more than individual initiative to succeed in America. It takes participating in the system that makes America great. Instead of thinking, "I made all this money cause I'm awesome", think, "I made all this money because AMERICA is awesome!" Frankly, it's true. We don't always give credit to the unique environment that is America, that has allowed us to succeed in the first place. Everything from education to public services play a role in every Americans success or lack thereof.
I know that you recognize a lot of people help you in a business. Perhaps the bank, the investors. There is no question your mom and dad, your school teachers. The people who provide roads, the fire, the police. A lot of people help." -Mitt Romney
OReilly was saying last night that he paid for his education, the government didn't pay a dime. And he built Factor, the government didn't do a thing. He kept cutting off the guy that was saying, ummmm. You do know that most universities are government funded in some way or another, right? If not directly via being a public institution, then through government funded research. And Fox is licenced to be a television network? Licenced by the government. But he wasn't able to get all that out 'cause OReilly kept interrupting him.
Thank you for watching O'Reilly so I don't have to . I can't take more than 30 seconds of him without throwing something at the TEEVEE box.
To be fair, Bill-O didn't pay for his education - his parents did. So Bill-O got "free stuff" from someone.
Snark aside, Bill-O most likely got some public schooling in his life, provided by the local government. Bill-O got to and from college via a series of roads paid for by the government. He worked his way up to the "Factor" by attending a college that is accredited by the government to hand out diplomas, and was taught by people who were not himself. He is currently on a network that has to stay in compliance with a dozen federal agencies as well as being broadcast on airwaves owned by the government and leased out to cable/satellite providers. He is only still on the program because the Fox executives allow him to be. Not to mention that he also most likely has at least a few writers that write some of his more witty quips...
Given all that he has relied on someone else for all of his success, you'd think that he would be thankful for all those people...
We expect too much from Republicans. Very few Republicans can learn to think for themselves. If they were taught that 1+1=5, they'll spend their whole lives defending that even when proof is shown.
You just do not believe in alternative universes where the laws that guide us in Physics and other "hard" sciences do not apply.A rock is a rock to you but to them a rock is merely a trick to deceive you into thinking what you can feel is real.
Now please do not confuse this with the latest science that delves into ideas like we are living in a two dimensional world. No to the right the truth is what you decide to accept and reality is a delusion caused by "thinking".
I wish I could explain their belief better but unfortunately I took my meds today.
Thanks Joe, that is the quintessential description of this chain of fools and ghouls.. Too much change too fast makes the fearful and easily spooky regress.
I guess they call it "shoring up the base", because "Our Side" sees it as utter nonsense, and those so-called "Undecided Voters" are really folks who have not been paying any attention to the political process. And won't, until they (maybe!) enter the voting booth.
When they stare at the ballot, they go for name recognition- he with the most yard signs wins.
But but ..... Republicans are just Outraged, outraged I tell you that Obama's campaign is saying mean things and lying about Romney using facts-n-stuff .... They would never do that
Bill Maher has said it all along . They can't run against the real Obama , so they made the Obama opponent of their dreams up . This is just a reinforcement of their Faux Nooze Alt reality
It's not enough that the President make it plain, it seems. Now, he also has to phrase it in a way that cannot get taken out of context.
So much better just to call out Fox News.
If you play the speech backwards, it sounds like the muslim call to prayer.
HAH! I knew it. Love it, love it.
and Paul is dead
Some say Paul Ryan is a verbiage-spewing simpleton. Others say he is the leading intellectual light of the Republican party.
I say they're both right.
-Most excellent, sir!
To understand how ridiculous the notion that businesses do it on their own really is, you only have to look as far as how business - in the real world - works.
When a business is looking for a location for a new factory or store, do they look for a nice piece of vacant inaccessible land out in the middle of nowhere? Of Course not!!
They pick a place that already has roads, electricity, sewers, (railroad or port if their business needs it), security (no high-crime neighborhoods), local labor that has the skills they need, and a good quality of life for their executives who will be moving in (good schools for their kids, recreation and entertainment - golf courses) and - of course customers.
Why do they do this? Because their new factory or store will not be successful if they have to build all of the infrastructure by themselves - (or maintain it all by themselves) - from scratch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And if they're WalMart or Home Depot or some such they also poll the local governments for who will forgive all their tax burden for the longest period of time.
Context helps, but it was still a dumb thing to say, given that you know the Republicans WOULD take it out of context and create a big fuss.
Great. So the Republicans can put out their philosophy of government. And any competing philosophy just runs the risk of being taken out of context . . .
i know you dummycrats don't like the four letter word but i have to WORK and pay taxes so you can rent the basement from mommy+daddy get welfare and play on here 24/7 on the dial-up that mommy+daddy pay for
Sorry - would love to stay and chat but I have to go to WORK!!!
Oh, you poor baby!
Shooter - I wish you would pick a name and go with it .
dummycrat , wow you are sooooo mean . We are all deeply hurt here at Maddowblog
I think we will all go out and change our registration to Republican so we can be smart like you.
rent mom+dad banned, reregistration of banned user mom+dads basement. Multiple account cellar ppl also banned.
Can someone ask Paul Ryan if those billions being gifted to BIG OIL/COAL/PHARMA/Ag/Finance - that the GOTP voted against cutting don't fit "the concept of Americans relying on public institutions"?
Vote out the GOTP in November!
i think its only fair that Rachel or Ed Shultz should give up there timeslot to Obama in Nov.
If Obama had to always concern himself with how ppl might twist his words, then he would just run a campaign filled with generalities, dodging important questions, not stating his views on any issue of substance. In other words, he would be mirroring Romney.
Exactly. He needs to react to their baloney just like he did to Romney's demand for an apology. Treat the people like adults and the Republicans like the silly asses they are.
American business is far more concerned with making as much as they can today than building a better future for their company. They ignored recommendations on upgrading the steel industry and now Japan ,which has no natural resources, produces the steel we use. They chose to outsource labor ignoring the FACT that most countries clamored for American made goods due to the quality and now you can not buy a decent TV or even clothing that fits.
Obama was too soft on the business people.
Now-just who the hell wants to listen to Cheney? He is a psychotic freak.
FOX hires pathological liers.
Liars. Sorry I guess I was using the right side of my grey matter.
You nailed that one! If the shareholders don't make out like banditos (each quarter!!) then outsource or stop making the fritos! ..Pathetic and ultimately self destructive.
Let me say I had a Sony TV which I discarded after 16 years, I have a 20 year old Toshiba which I moved to a guest room. I upgraded to 2 Panasonic HDTVs which are excellent. Face it, we have been a global economy for years. They automate production, shift production overseas to remain competitive, or get closer to their buyers.
We have a mismatch in employee skills and job needs. There are many jobs left unfilled because of many people unqualified to fill the jobs, mainly technical. Our schools are not filling the needs. This is where corps can help. Go to technical schools and help set up programs to fill the need. Many are.
The work force is changing and people don't recognize it. I do believe we are becoming more an entitlement society. "What are you going for me"?
I bought a Sony that lasted one year, thet sent a repaired unit in its place which also died in one year-American companies used to warranty televisions for five years. I find it amusing that people defend crap. Sorta like the foreign cars that run at 2000 rpm instead of 6500 and couldn't pull a rat out of mud, but they did show us tolerances could be tighter.
Those motors might last 200,000 miles but they are scrap once they go. They can't be overhauled in your garage unless you have equipment to sleeve the cylinders. but such is life.
I still hate your light blue type for quotes.
The difference between the campaigns quoting each other: When the GOP 'quotes' Obama, they have to selectively edit it to make him look bad. When the Dems quote Romney, they can just take it straight up and he'll look bad.
Just like when SNL parodied Palin; they didn't have to change a single word and it was hilarious.
remember Wi. see you in Nov. lol
Please, feed the low-rent trolls!
all i know is the heat in the US blame it on Bush
Obviously the time has come to prepare the rejoinder.
Steve, someone needs to put together a list of a few dozen completely out of context remarks that Romney has made to illustrate the point. Things like "We needent worry about poor people" and "I love to fire people". There must be millions of them out there. With the gloves off, it is time to start using them.
As the wife of a man who used the GI bill to get his college education I am thankful this was available. However my father-in-law never got to see his grand children or meet his sons wives because he died in France during the Battle of the Bulge. While some may think the GI bill is a free education I disagree. When you pay with the life of your father it is not free at all.
My President was correct – everyone, at some time(s) in their life needs help to
move forward. No one can do everything by themselves. I have had help and I
have helped others. This is the proper way to live one’s life. The other side of this
is greed and selfishness – the reason we are all in this mess.
The man is a wizard with a teleprompter but he obviously never took, or at least passed, public speaking 101. And I watched the ENTIRE SPEACH. No POTUS should ever address the American people with "You Didn't" when speaking of their individual accomplishments. Axelrod obviously has lost control here. Obama and Cutter have jumped the fence. I'll bet he's pissed! Ahhhhh grasshopper David is the teacher, you are the student. Remember where the Hope & Change strategy came from. LOL
Context is still king, but Obama is trying to take his job!