Business Owner‘s Response to ’You Didn‘t Build That’: Kiss my A**
- Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:02pm by
Becket Adams
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Although several small business owners have already taken the time to correct President Obama for his infamous “You Didn’t Build That” speech, none of them have done it with the bluntness of this this one lumberyard owner.
“I built this business without gov’t help. Obama can Kiss my ass [emphasis added],” reads a sign outside Gaster Lumber & Hardware in Savannah, Ga.
Owner Ray Gaster decided to put signs with similar messages at all three of his company’s locations after he heard President Obama’s Roanoke, Va., speech. A former Vietnam veteran, Gaster told FoxNews.com he built his now 28-year-old business from the ground up — without ever relying on the generosity of government.
“I started on my own,” Gaster said. “The government wasn’t there. We work long, hard hours and what he said is an insult to any businessman.”
Of course, critics have attacked the “harsh rhetoric” of Gaster’s signs. He argues “rough words were necessary.”
“When I heard what he said, I said ‘I’m going to give him an answer in Chicago language–something he’s used to,’” he told FoxNews.com. “If I would have said ‘Dear Mr. President…‘ there wouldn’t have been as strong of a response.”
Gaster sent a photo of his sign to 45 of his personal friends and business acquaintances, Fox reports. His hope is that other businesses will follow his lead and send a strong message to the president.
“We need to stand up to the criticism coming from our own government. If this economy is to get better, it will be driven by small and independent businesses. We are part of the solution, not the problem,” Gaster said.
“I want to use this sign to urge other businesspeople to stand up and say ‘Mr. President, you’re wrong. I built my business,’” he said. “I represent the majority of business owners in my belief.”
And just in case someone tries to accuse us of taking the president out of context, here are his exact words:
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.
Team Obama claims the president was just trying to explain how government-funded infrastructure helps businesses grow. And while this is technically true, someone should ask the president this: Where does government get that money?
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Comments (125)
buzzkill59
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:07pmA visit from the IRS in 3,2,1……
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:34pmBingo. Hope the guy keeps us all informed. Putin is rounding up people and Obama said he could be “ more flexible ” after the election. Wonder if Putin will send him an old bust of Lenin ?
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:37pmHere is the bottom line. Did they build the road? No, they paid inflated union Davis-Bacon wages through their tax dollars to a union employee who will vote for or at least contribute dues against their wishes to re-elect a tax and spend liberal who will castigate the tax payer who wagered everything to start their business, except for the “green energy” business who WAS sponsored at every step by the same struggling small business owner. But as soon as “green energy’ got the money they declared bankruptcy and pocketed our funds. Ask the 49 per cent who suck from the taxpayer to do their share like clean up their taxpayer funded public housing or volunteer an hour or 30 to help clean up their taxpayer funded school or perhaps even insist that their children avoid the taxpayer funded prison and use the taxpayer funded schools to finish high school without a record so they too can become a taxpayer. In my book, if you cannot get a job because you are a convicted felon, you had better find a way to support yourself, pronto, because I am not down with giving you a retirement before you are 20.
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:33amRay Gaster is now officially on the “terrorist watch list” for speaking out against our Dear Leader. I’m sure Homeland Security has a 95 page file on him. All for exercising his 1st Amendment right. Homeland Security is one department that needs to be unfunded. That department is completely out of control.
Report Post »MAX0O1
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:49amAND if they do please call on all of freedom loving people to help. GOD BLESS!
Report Post »1HonestInjun
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 1:26amBarber2. I smiled when you said perhaps Putin might sent Obama a bust of Lenin. Right now
Report Post »the russia government (that is Putin) is trying to decide if they should finally bury Lenin. His corpse
is on display in Moscow. Maybe Putin can send the corpse to Obama to display Lenin in the whitehouse. That way Obama can pray 5 times a day over him. Muslims pray 5 times a day. It’s a bit of an oxymoron though as Obama said in 2009 on “This
Week“ with George Stephanopous in a slip of the tongue ”My muslim faith.” Obama, the muslim praying over an athiest. Oh, Barry Soetoro (his name on his ID card at Columbia) under it Obama
says he is a foreign student. I do believe Hawaii was a state when Barry was at Columbia. So why
would he ID himself as a foreign student. Wonders never cease.
godlovinmom
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 2:00amBuzz…I don’t know that may be worth the visit…good to see Americans stand up to this socialist piece of garbage.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:15amI would not let Obama kiss my butt with someone elses’ purple lips, but he can run with the ‘ Kiss My Azz” too just because this criminal does not even qualify to be in our government. He is a treasonous (select your own bad word) and needs to be in jail. He joined up with a bunch of Communists and Marxists and they tricked the weak of mind into putting him in office. He never earned where he is. He is ineligible. For him to say others “didn’t do that” is his sick attempt at making the American people feel they are less than who they are as well.
Report Post »KissMyAmericanFlag
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 11:57amHow refreshing! Standing tall, Mr Gaster.
Report Post »NO_MORE_OBAMA
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:05pmDoes this guy take online orders :)
Report Post »Starknerd
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:55pmCan’t find a proper website in order to place a HEALTHY (like Eat-More-Chicken healthy) sized order. Darn. Maybe I should call and offer to build him one for free.
Report Post »thibx
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:05pmamen brother
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:00pmI just LOVE this sign and the fact that Mr. Gaster has the courage to have his picture taken standing next to the sign.
WELL DONE, SIR, and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LIFE SINCE!
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:57pmCivility be damned! It’s about time we start saying what we really think instead of minceing our words like a bunch of pansies.
Report Post »Great sign, keep it up.
The Chick fil a by us was so busy tonight that they actually ran out of food! We ended up eating at Fridays because of this. Wonderful to see so many of us supporting this man and his company!
ConservativeFirst
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:56pmNot only were Obama’s words insulting, but it is his hostile tone that is so disturbing. Not many have mentioned the disgusted tone in his voice as he discusses those individuals who dare to think they worked hard to create a successful business……
Report Post »vpeva1
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:48amComes to my mind every time he speaks. Makes me nauseated! I can’t stand to hear his voice anymore. So full of hate. He has certainly helped to devide our beautiful nation.
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:45pmTeam Obama claims the president was just trying to explain how government-funded infrastructure helps businesses grow. Well, yes, this is technically true….
It’s been pointed out that infrastructure is paid for by local, not federal taxes derived mostly from property taxes. From homeowners/commercial revenues. Known as taxpayers.
When we built a business and used our house, furniture, jewelry, as collateral- I can’t remember thinking if this fails, government is going to bail me out! How many restless nights that would have avoided! Or getting up at the crack of dawn to be at the job site, after figuring the costs the nights before. But thanks for paving the roads with my hard earned tax dollars so we could accomplish this and pay 50% of all we made back to the Feds, who suffered NO risk. -I’ve often wondered were those dollars went.
And thanks for the clarity on who is responsible on infrastructure too! What would we do without you?
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:01pmIn addition I like how the term government-funded masks the term “hard earned risk-on -tax dollars. Representing 50% of my efforts,” More commonly known as tax dollars. They are not government- funds sir. They didn’t come easy as you make them out. If you were my kid….
Report Post »theprophetofpax
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:37pmGee, I didn’t know that I had him to thank for the roads that I drice on, the price, of gas, even the internet im using right now. a) ya‘ll need to listen to the speech and not take Obama’s words out of context. b) he may have “built” this business himself, but he didn’t build the infrastructure that supports his business. for example, I guarantee that he and all his Cust over the years have not paud enough in taxes to be able to pave a road from my house to his lumberyard.
Report Post »Tractorboy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:44pmTaxes are generated from what then, without businesses I don’t think there would be taxes, it is the art of conducting business that taxes are derived from. Oh, and Obama can kiss mine also, as I too am small business guy.
Report Post »ZaphodsPlanet
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:48pmHey IDIOT…. I’m sure he paid a hell of a lot more towards the costs of those roads in one year than you have your entire life. You seem to forget who picks up the tab for everything the government does. I do, as does your idiot butt. Wake the hell up. Are you really that stupid? Or are you just stupid enough to think we’ll buy your tripe? In either case, the more you speak the more you manage to remove any doubts about your mental inadequacies.
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:49pmYour thinking is warped and twisted. Did you actually read what you wrote? It is insane.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:54pmThat POS Sotero ain’t smart eniough to build a case of hemmorhoids.
Report Post »okredstate
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:45amOh really! The man has three lumber yards. I would guess he pays more than a million dollars a year in sales taxes, property taxes, and income taxes. He has been in business for 25 plus years. Unless you live in a liberal town out of the state of Georgia, he probably has not payed enough to pave a road for you. But he has paid 1000 times more taxes than your sorry ass ever will. Stinkin lib. Shut your 3 time flunked out of third grade mouth.
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:35pmWish I was close enough to do business with this company. Then maybe Obama could kiss both of our a$$es at the same time and save $70,000 in jet fuel!!! Just trying to do my part :-)
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:31pmFirst Romney has totally distorted what Obama really said by taking his words of context. Independent fact checkers at the Washington Post and Factcheck.org called out Romney for his calculated distortion. In fact I heard the speech Obama gave. Obama was referring to the roads, bridges and infrastructure that the businesses use, not businesses.
I find it amazing how easily Romney Lies…. the man is a serial lier.
Not only are Romney’s ads lying abut what Obama said, but he is lying abut the businesses featured in in his ads. The majority of as the businesses featured in these Ads have gotten millions in government contracts, subsidies, small business administrations loans and or other government loans. Proving what Obama really said is true..that Government has a role in helping business to be successful.
You would think Romney’s campaign would do some research, but I guess when your used to lying and your audience is used to being lied to, and uninformed it does not matter.
Report Post »Danthebugman
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:37pmYou….my liberal socialist bottom dweller….are an IDIOT!
Report Post »Danthebugman
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:38pmI’m sorry……BERNFART.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:38pmSo you’re not voting for Romney?
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:40pmI heard the ENTIRE speech! NO-Romney (and alot more of us) ‘Got It’.
In a nutshell-it was a condensenced version of that GREAT “Native American” Elizabeth Warren’s speech. ‘Ya know, the one where SHE made more sense regarding infrastructure enhancing AND enabling free enterprise.
One leeeeeetle point YOU might be overlooking is this…WHO DO YOU THINK PAYS THE TAXES TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE? WHO DO YOU THINK PAYS FOR FIRE/POLICE/EMS/SCHOOLS/WATER/SEWER/ ETC.???????? The TAXPAYER – NOT THE WELFARE GENIE!
Report Post »cmi
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:42pmApparently your’re just as stupid as Obama!!!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:48pmKangaroojack,
In all due respect, Glenn Beck was wrong. You cannot argue with idiots. Makes sense to you and me but bernfart is braindead. You are wasting your time there…
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:53pmComrade (in the true socialist meaning of the word) I heard Dear Leaders entire speech. Perhaps you should have your ears checked, or learn American English because it is obvious that you have some kind of hearing, or speech comprehension, problem.
Report Post »Don’t worry, with just a little bit of work, the problem can be corrected, and your health will be restored.
If that isn’t your problem then you must be what Stalin referred to as an “Idiot”, because you aren‘t useful so you don’t qualify as a “useful idiot”. If this is the case while I feel truly sorry for you, you deserve what Stalin called you.
I’ve built three businesses, worked my butt off every time, and the only thing any government ever did was get in my way! Since you, like Dear Leader, think it is so easy, try it, because the only thing Dear Leader has ever done is suck on the governments tit!
ConservativeFirst
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:11pmDid you actually listen to Obama’s speech. He has complete disgust for anyone who started their own business and is successful. You can hear it in the tone of his voice, especially when he talks, with disgust, about successful business owners who “think” they are smarter than everyone else or work harder than everyone else. His words, not my interpretation. I do not know any business owner who thinks he is smarter than everyone else and I know of plenty successful business people who do work very hard to keep their business running and profitable. I am very tired of Obama’s Class warfare speeches, his blatant disgust for business, profit, and capitalism. Please don‘t blame Romney for Obama’s words. Romney did not have to twist any of Obama’s words. They are damning enough on their own, and the more of the speech you read, the worse Obama’s words become.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:26pmThe govt doesn’t build much of any thing. They contract it out to private businesses.
Report Post »The rest of BHO’s speech does not help your argument much. It takes more than working hard and being smart to be truly successful, namely taking risks. One can’t just go to work and expect to be showered with prosperity. If you expect big rewards, you must take big risks. That almost always means going it on your own.
barber2
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:47pmTRAINER: Bern is not as much brain dead as brainwashed. Been water-boarded by the Marxist profs in his probably over-priced, no bell- curved , high end university ! Been so long since they taught real American history that the young are fodder for the crap these profs are stuffing our little geese with. But, not to worry Mr. Marxism is going to promise to wipe away his school loans so the university can pay those fellow Marxists profs and stick us sucker taxpayers with this debt too. Bail out to buy votes ! You go, Comrade Obama. Go build those roads. Build those bridges. Brainwash those kids. And stick it to us : those “rich,” nasty , evil people who not only pay for all of this, BUT get to buy you votes ! You go, Comrade Santa Claus Obama ! Don‘t know what you’ll do when the young wake up from life under the nightmare you will bring to them. Guess that is when the next American Revolution happens ! Prevention ? NObama 2012
Report Post »florida123
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:51pmI listened to the Video and Obama did say business rely on Gov’t built roads, bridges, etc. Well Einstein who in the hell paid for this infrastructure? Did the money come out of Elected Officials pockets or was it the private sector TAXES?? Without business there is nooooooooooo money for gov’t to spend, check the history of USSR, they went bankrupt…………..DUH
Report Post »whatzzhername
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:26pmAll your words are true, except one. Where you say ‘Romney’, you mean Obama, right?
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:40amAnd O-vomit never lies? You are a complete idiot.
Report Post »georgepatton
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 5:26pmBERNBART,
Report Post »Did your parents have any children that survived??????????????????
adouglass1
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:27pmNow that’s change I can believe in….lol
Report Post »g.prunty
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:34pmu summed it up 4 sure
Report Post »victorincalifornia
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:27pmyea phelps didn’t build the pool or the hwy, roads and bridges that he took to the pool, and there are plenty of strong swimmers, Im struck by how these athletes say oh I’m so strong, well there are alot of strong people, or I devoted my life to being the best and sacrificed some of lifes pleasures, well alot of people are devoted to being the best, who do these olympians think they area
Report Post »mash4077
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:27pmstand up america! send obozo back to his favorite bath house in chicago!
Report Post »g.prunty
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:33pmlol agreed
Report Post »sandtown
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:25pmWhat the libs fail to understand is that the public sector produces nothing and all their resources are funded by the private sector. All of it!…………..including the income taxes they think they pay.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:25pmLook people, he has a pet donkey, and the donkey is feeling down. So when he is saying Kiss his A$$, he is just looking for people to cheer up his Donkey. So come on Dems, cheer up his donkey and give him a kiss. Hopefully he never tries to sell the donkey, it is illegal in 49 states to sell your A$$.
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:33pmRomney’s ADs are calculated LIes
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:53pmI guess you aren’t getting paid by he word.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:18amBern: And Obama’s secret agenda is calculated to end American Capitalism ! You go, Comrade Bern !
Report Post »Pilgrimsarbour
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:25pmKiss my a$$. Hmmmm. That’s undoubtedly code for: “I don’t like black people,” or something. No wait! It isn’t!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:25pmnow THAT is all-American!!! God bless Mr Gaster!!!
Report Post »Spqr1
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:24pmHow much lumber has he sold that was logged from FEDERAL land? How much of that was hauled on FEDERAL FOREST SERVICE roads? Let alone FEDERAL roadways. And don’t forget the fact that his business is protected by law enforcement that gets FEDERAL grants. And as a vet, how much FEDERAL health care has the owner received over the years? Try again sheeples.
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:35pmThe majority of businesses featured in Romey’s False Ads have gotten miliions in government subsidies, contracts and loans.
Report Post »txjb
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:40pmYour point falls flat . You‘re forgetting or maybe didn’t know that government does things when it collects taxs from the people . The only people that didn’t build their business are those foreigners getting money from us tax payers ,from the gov. , to run their business .
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:37pmSPQR: And how much of our tax money was wasted on Obama’s crony Green energy project companies ?!! Ho. Ho. Don’t go down this street, Lefties. It’s a real Dead End !
Report Post »Spqr1
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 4:38pmbarber2: Answer: a miniscule amount compared to what was wasted in Iraq, just in how the operation was carried out, let alone the operation itself. You know, that war that was cheered on by conservatives? Where was you fiscal conservatism then? I know, being overwhelmed by your desire to blow stuff up in other people’s countries. What a pathetic attempt to change the subject.
Report Post »victorincalifornia
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:21pmwho is the somebody else who built it that obama talks about. didn’t the business owner pay taxes before and after he started his business, isn’t he part of the collective ? you didn’t build it, others are smart, others work hard, ok so he’s admitting business owners are smart and work hard but dont deserve what they built ? so much in that speech to disect
Report Post »infidelsaplenty
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:19pm‘Right to the point! I fear we finally have a President who bought a bridge in Brooklyn.
Report Post »BetterInformed
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:16pmI understand that when Obama was asked what he thought of Micheal Phelps he said “he didn’t win that”.
Report Post »forthepeople
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:15pmObozo‘s House of Cards is a Fallin’ !
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:12pmLove it!
Report Post »Pilgrimsarbour
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:27pmHey, just wonderin’. Is your home called the Tri-Ox compound?
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:10pmThe critics don’t like that kind of talk….. but have no problem finding out who Mitt Romney’s donors are, publishing the donor list, harassing them, making dishonest ads, IRSing them…
WE WIN, YOU LOSE – who said that????????????
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:03pmAnd don’t forget the Zimmerman media circus ! Our Democrats had no problem with that mess. Al and Jesse and the NBPP against that “ white Hispanic” Zimmerman ?! LOL.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:06pmHe must have Romney’s press secretary!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:59pmGood point. Our Democrats, who “ feel the frustration ” of our class act OWS Crowd, are so easily offended when a conservative does not behave with traditional American values of 1040′s politeness ! What about : ” Obama, Kiss My Capitalism ” …or would that word be MORE offensive than @ss ?!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:10pmI think “kiss my ass” is very appropriate in this case. Not so much with Romney’s guy, but I applauded that all the same.
Report Post »