by Dan Danner
The National Federation of Independent Business
President Obama’s jaw-dropping comments over the weekend, where he said "If you’ve got a business – you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen," felt like a punch in the gut to small-business owners all over this country. It was one of the more blatant examples of the lack of respect that I know you have felt from government – subtly or explicitly – since you started your business.
I know you were angry when you heard his words. I know you probably wanted to give the president a piece of your mind, and I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you have already called the White House this week. At NFIB, we did respond to the president’s offensive statement immediately. We talked to the press and took to the airwaves to share your outrage. This is the statement we sent to the media:
What a disappointment to hear President Obama’s revealing comments challenging the significance of America’s entrepreneurs.
His unfortunate remarks over the weekend show an utter lack of understanding and appreciation for the people who take a huge personal risk and work endless hours to start a business and create jobs.
Every small-business owner who took a second mortgage on their home, maxed out their credit cards or borrowed money from their own retirement savings to start their business disagrees strongly with President Obama’s claim. They know that hard work does matter.
Every small business is not indebted to the government or some other benefactor. If anything, small businesses are historically an economic and job-creating powerhouse in spite of the government.
We are encouraged to see that the news media is very interested in your reaction to the president’s words. They have already quoted from our statement extensively. If you would like an opportunity to talk to the press directly about how this moment made you feel, please contact NFIB’s media-relations office at media@nfib.org.
As an NFIB member, you may be inspired right now to increase your activism and involvement. If you have friends or family members who are business owners and are also outraged this week, I hope you will mention membership in NFIB as a way to fight back. Encourage them to join. After all, the more members we have, the stronger our voice will be and the less likely we will be in the future to have leaders in Washington, D.C. who just don’t get it.