President Obama's recent attack on the free enterprise system, small business and the entrepreneurial spirit of America, stands in sharp comparison to that of another president -- Ronald Reagan. Even Obama's response to the attacks on his "if you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen," comments demonstrates a shocking ignorance about the free market system.
Obama finally responded to the relentless attacks of his opponent Mitt Romney with an ad claiming his words were taken "out of context." Of course, that is nonsense. But his response provides a further glimpse into the anti-market mindset of the 44th president.
Obama promised that he would stand by small business by "Investing in education and training, roads and bridges, research and technology." In other words, Obama believes that he can stand by business by spending more tax dollars on more programs.
Even on his own TV ads he can't feign support for the free enterprise system.
This stands in sharp contrast to Ronald Reagan who throughout his political career would defend, inspire and promote freedom. We should never forget Reagan's inspiring words:
“We who live in free market societies believe that growth, prosperity and ultimately human fulfillment, are created from the bottom up, not the government down. Only when the human spirit is allowed to invent and create, only when individuals are given a personal stake in deciding economic policies and benefiting from their success -- only then can societies remain economically alive, dynamic, progressive, and free. Trust the people. This is the one irrefutable lesson of the entire postwar period contradicting the notion that rigid government controls are essential to economic development.”
"The government's view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
"Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor's fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last."
"The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing."
These are just a sampling of the words of a man who understood that freedom rests upon a pillar of free enterprise. One day, hopefully in the not to distant future, we will have a president who shares that view. America does not have the luxury of time to wait for such a day.
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