You did not do that!

[Red Arrow]

A Missouri permanent trailer tag is about $55 all in. The registration on the tractor is about $105 yearly. I cite Missouri because I've been told they have the lowest rates in the region, and it's trivial to register your vehicles and trailers in any state you like as a trucking company. It does require renting an office, but that's not a very high bar.

I remember seeing signs on big rigs that stated "This vehicle pays more than $X,XXX in taxes each year".  Frequently that number was something like $6,000 and that was 15 to 20 years ago when $6000 meant something.  I don't know if that included the fuel tax or was above and beyond fuel tax.

Heiron,
You've driven the big stuff.  What about the taxes?

[nathanm]

Maybe they're including the tax on the driver's income?

[Red Arrow]

Maybe they're including the tax on the driver's income?

Unlikely

[guido911]

Stop everything. Obama said this is a "bogus issue". Time to move on now.

[Hoss]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/23/12904508-romney-to-olympians-you-didnt-get-here-solely-on-your-own?lite

Guess what Olympians?  You didn't do that!

LOL.

[guido911]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/23/12904508-romney-to-olympians-you-didnt-get-here-solely-on-your-own?lite

Guess what Olympians?  You didn't do that!

LOL.

^^^^

LOL is right.  Here's the retort to this dumb and desperate comparison. It really didn't have to be written since Romney's words were so vastly different. Still, I love the part where a R strategist asked for the whereabouts of "Julia" when he read it thinking it came from Obama and not NBC...

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/23/ugh-nbc-trying-to-manufacture-a-you-didnt-build-that-moment-for-mitt-romney/

Here ya go. You've earned them...

[Hoss]

^^^^

LOL is right.  Here's the retort to this dumb and desperate comparison. It really didn't have to be written since Romney's words were so vastly different. Still, I love the part where a R strategist asked for the whereabouts of "Julia" when he read it thinking it came from Obama and not NBC...

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/23/ugh-nbc-trying-to-manufacture-a-you-didnt-build-that-moment-for-mitt-romney/

Here ya go. You've earned them...

Problem is, NBC didn't manufacture it.  It was in NBC's archives.  Someone just found it.  Didn't come from the Obama campaign.

Point is, quotes taken out of context are just that.  Out of context.  Oh, but maybe only for you guys on the right....

[RecycleMichael]

Despite guido deciding there is a difference, I disagree.

What Romney said about Olympians succeeding because of friends, family and facilities is exactly the same as Obama saying that business people succeeded because of teachers, roads, etc.

[nathanm]

I think it's weird that we seem to have suddenly decided that the foundation isn't part of a structure. The denial of the teamwork that makes our country work at its most fundamental level is stupefying. It's like Republicans think our business leaders are such prima donnas they can't hear that others contributed to their grand project without somehow believing that their contribution is being dismissed as irrelevant.

[TulsaRufnex]

Star of Romney 'My Hands Didn't Build This' Ad Received Millions in Government Loans and Contracts

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/t/blogEntry?id=16839838

In a new TV ad, Romney features an offended New Hampshire businessman, saying, "My father's hands didn't build this company? My hands didn't build this company? My son's hands aren't building this company?"

The New Hampshire Union Leader's John DiStato today reports that in 1999 the business in question, Gilchrist Metal, "received $800,000 in tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority 'to set up a second manufacturing plant and purchase equipment to produce high definition television broadcasting equipment'..." In addition, in 2011, Gilchrist Metal "received two U.S. Navy sub-contracts totaling about $83,000 and a smaller, $5,600 Coast Guard contract in 2008..."

The businessman, Jack Gilchrist, also acknowledged that in the 1980s the company received a U.S. Small Business Administration loan totaling "somewhere south of" $500,000, and matching funds from the federally-funded New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.

"I'm not going to turn a blind eye because the money came from the government," Gilchrest said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm getting some of my tax money back. I'm not stupid, I'm not going to say 'no.' Shame on me if I didn't use what's available."

[Red Arrow]

I think it's weird that we seem to have suddenly decided that the foundation isn't part of a structure. The denial of the teamwork that makes our country work at its most fundamental level is stupefying. It's like Republicans think our business leaders are such prima donnas they can't hear that others contributed to their grand project without somehow believing that their contribution is being dismissed as irrelevant.

Nobody (I've heard) is claiming to have been left naked in a cave as a pre-teen by their parents to fend for themselves.  The disrespect for individual effort by some is disappointing and it is there if you turn your government supplied hearing aid up.

[nathanm]

The disrespect for individual effort by some is disappointing and it is there if you turn your government supplied hearing aid up.

This must be one of those eye of the beholder things, because, as I said, talking about the good of collective effort does not in any way disrespect or demean individual effort. As far as I can tell, you're hearing what you think some hippies said back in the 60s.

[Red Arrow]

This must be one of those eye of the beholder things, because, as I said, talking about the good of collective effort does not in any way disrespect or demean individual effort.

It must be because I definitely see disrespect, not a complete disregard though.

[nathanm]

It must be because I definitely see disrespect, not a complete disregard though.

Well, in the case of the comment that started this thread, I think this should have cleared it up immediately:

The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together.

That seems very much like respect, not disrespect.

[Gaspar]

The President hasn't revealed any bizarre conspiracy.  He has only given us a clearer picture of his philosophy towards achievement, a philosophy that many on this forum are 100% in agreement with. Sure, we can accomplish great things together, but none of that is possible without the spectacular achievements of the individual that reach far above and beyond their collective responsibility.

What should the president of The United States promote?

Is it more important for Americans to embrace initiative and recognize individual achievement, or collective endeavor?

Is it important for a government saddled with skyrocketing entitlement expense to promote independence as a value, or to market the expansion of a dependent society?

Should our goal be to encourage people to acquire the tools they need to succeed and promote the courage to take risk, or provide security in exchange for unenterprising mediocrity?

It's been over two weeks of the minions continually attempting to redesign and qualify what the president said, but his message is clear, and he has not veered from it.  For some it is sharp and insulting, for others it is comforting.  Either way, it is no shock that President Obama values collective effort and distributive achievement over individual initiative and success.  It is what he is about, but it is not what this country is about.

The smallest and weakest minority is the individual, who's rights and freedoms must be protected.  Individual achievement must be recognized and promoted.  

Individuals provide role-models, groups only provide roles.