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Subscribe to RSSCHICAGO, Ill. -- Secret Service agents, bomb-sniffing dogs and police cordons usually mean a high-level politician or dignitary is nearby.
For the residents of a certain Kenwood enclave, it also means the neighbors are back in town. That was the scene Sunday evening on a certain stretch of Greenwood Avenue here as President Obama hosted some of his closest, $40,000 check-wielding friends for the first-ever fundraiser at his home.
Yuri Gripas / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama walks through the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago on Sunday.
Standing in a corner of the front yard of his classic Georgian-style brick home, the president greeted around 75 supporters sprawled out on his manicured green lawn, the lushness of which the president commented on.
“I have to say, the lawn hasn’t looked this good in a while. But I figured, but at least Michelle figured, that if everyone was coming over we ought to neaten up a little bit,” he said.
Speaking from a small stage that was surrounded with a small hedge, the president made light of the fact that he was once again asking his deep-pocketed donors to pony up.
“Being friends with a politician is a little bit like having a child perpetually in college because every so often you’ve got to write a big check. The good news is I’m about to graduate,” he joked as the crowd laughed.
But the comic asides did contain a serious undertone – that Obama is locked in a brutal spending war with his Republican rival Mitt Romney, and is currently being outspent.
Paul Ryan welcomed home with massive rally in Wisconsin
He cautioned his guests that the next three months of the campaign were not going to be easy, referring to, as he has frequently in recent appearances, the Olympics to make a campaign analogy.
“I just want to remind you this is not going to be a race like Usain Bolt where we’re like 40 yards ahead and we can just start jogging 10 feet before the finish line,” Obama said, name-dropping the famed Jamaican sprinter. “We’re going to have to run through the tape.”
After the quick stop at his own home, the president went back to once again being a guest as he attended two more fundraisers, both at homes in his neighborhood but none that could be called the Family Home of the United States.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
The president's fourth year at the White House in pictures — follow along as it happens.
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Who Built America?
By Rep. Paul Ryan on 8.13.12 @ 6:15AM
The rebuilding begins this November.
President Obama recently made a stunning remark about business owners in America's free enterprise economy. After dismissing the hard work and ingenuity of successful individuals, the president said, "If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." Who? Ultimately, the government.
Yet this was only the latest version of the president's four-year disparagement of American entrepreneurialism. In 2008, then-candidate Obama said he intended to "spread the wealth around" -- not his own wealth through voluntary transactions, of course, but the earnings belonging to American families through coercive redistribution. In April 2009, he claimed that the founding principles on which America was built are too weak to withstand 21st century pressures. He called our free economy a house built upon sand, destroyed when the financial storm of 2008 hit. America must be reconstructed, he asserted, upon a "new foundation" of "pillars" hewn from the solid rock of big government.
The agenda he promoted demonstrated in a practical way what his rhetoric meant. He pushed unprecedented stimulus spending, a government-driven health care overhaul, further distortions in the U.S. financial sector, an expensive cap-and-trade system to restrict American energy, and more. His transformative proposals were based on a vision of a government-centered society that conflicts with the foundational principles of freedom and equality rooted in our Declaration of Independence. To support his expansive new vision of government without limits, the administration sent Congress four massive annual budgets that called for crushing levels of debt. The Democrat-controlled Senate, cognizant of the political peril of voting for such reckless spending, taxes, and new debt, gave up on budgeting altogether. The U.S. Senate unanimously rejected Obama's budgets, without passing any budget of its own for over three years.
The failed leadership and the dismal results from a president of such great promise have been disappointing. The moment of truth in front of us is of course not entirely his fault. Both political parties have failed the American people over the years, and both political parties have -- time and again -- prioritized political gain at the expense of principle. Thankfully, we have a historic opportunity in the year ahead to chart a new course, build a broad coalition for reforms that apply our timeless principles to today's most pressing challenges. It begins by reclaiming the core of what makes America exceptional: our commitment to freedom.
Economic freedom empowers entrepreneurs who have ideas and imagination, investors who take risks, and workers who hone their skills and offer their labor. Our exceptional country was built with the ingenuity, capital, and sweat contributed by individuals who risked it all to provide a brighter future for their families. America was founded on the shared belief that government's primary role is to safeguard our God-given freedoms, as individual initiative and a strong civil society are what make prosperity possible. America is exceptional for this very reason: No other country in the history of mankind was founded on such a powerful idea.
The president's policies have stifled this commitment to economic freedom, which has resulted in millions of Americans facing painful economic hardships. In the president's revealing rhetoric, we gain insight into why the economy remains so anemic and the future looks so bleak: Success is a function of government beneficence, not individual initiative.
His outlook not only makes for terrible economics, it also reveals moral confusion. The question that separates the prevailing sentiment in Washington from that of our Founders is a moral one: freedom and individual initiative, or big government alternatives?
President Obama's comments reflect an ideology that casts the private sector as an arena driven by greed and indifference to the well-being of others. In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is equal results.
Enforcing this contorted view of equality requires sharp class division -- the wealthy versus the middle class versus the poor. In this narrative, success is a zero-sum game. There is only so much wealth to go around, and one person's gain is another's loss.
The ideology of classes in historically inevitable conflict has never fit the reality of America. Our free and open economy works because the amount of wealth is not fixed. It grows with hard work, investment, and saving; all can prosper. Unlike in the European vision of big government, prosperity in America requires limits on the size and scope of the state, to ensure that no group faces government-imposed barriers to its opportunity to rise. America's Founders wrote our Constitution of self-government and limited powers to protect our natural rights and foster a level playing, so all could freely pursue their happiness.
Embracing the politics of class division, President Obama's principal solution to the nation's fiscal and economic problems is to raise the barriers to success with higher tax rates and greater centralized control over our economy. As a fiscal and an economic matter, the argument unravels as he remains unable to explain how the tax increases he's put forward can ever catch the spending increases ahead, and how such polices improve incentives for entrepreneurial investment and job development. Given such problematic realities, his appeal is more often moral in nature. Higher taxes are our patriotic duty. We're all in this together. Forcing the rich to pay their "fair share" is the right thing to do. Yet, on moral grounds, the president's argument cannot withstand scrutiny.
Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement requires a community of persons working together. We strengthen our bonds with each other as we offer our unique gifts to others. Customers reward the best and most efficient producers by buying their products and services. We work to advance the common good through our free association with each other, not because a coercive government directs our actions. Each human being has inherent dignity and unique gifts. Individuals thrive as they voluntarily share those gifts and talents with each other, in mutual assistance to meet their neighbors' needs. We could never do this if we were isolated individuals as caricatured in the president's distorted view of America's commitment to free enterprise.
Of course government has a critical role to play in establishing neutral rules that enable open competition, and in securing peace and order with courts, a standard currency, defense forces, first responders, teachers, infrastructure, and a safety net for the most vulnerable. Government can help create the space for innovation and prosperity, but government can not fill that space. Activist government overreach and ongoing economic stagnation have shown us why Washington should never try to displace what is best left to civil society.
There are pernicious side effects from Washington's ever-increasing intrusion into sectors of our economy and into aspects of our lives. Big-government economics breeds crony capitalism. It's corrupt, anything but neutral, and a barrier to broad participation in prosperity. Both political parties have been guilty of this trend. Most recently, Washington has pursued polices that pick winners and losers in specific sectors of our economy, and that favor well-connected corporations and union bosses with bureaucratic access, tax loopholes, and regulatory waivers. Think Solyndra, bankrupt after a $500 million taxpayer guarantee, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which continue to stifle the recovery while draining billions from the Treasury.
The moral case for individual initiative in a free economy holds that people have a God-given right to use their creativity to produce things that improve their lives. A free economy and strong communities honor the dignity of every person, reward effort with justice, promote upward mobility, and build solidarity among citizens. The president's vision of a collective, government-centered society -- reflected in his troubling rhetoric and failed policies -- divides class against class and belittles fair rewards for workers, entrepreneurs, and investors -- those who have built America into the greatest nation in the history of mankind.
We face a defining choice in November. For four more dreary years, President Obama will pursue his economically and morally bankrupt approach -- if we let him. Governor Romney, on the other hand, has embraced the vision of our exceptional nation, which Americans have always held, to guide our policies in the 21st century. He will follow a better path, consistent with the timeless truths of our nation's founding. A Romney administration would not put its faith in nameless government officials, but would trust persons and communities to determine what is in their best interests, and to make the right choices about the future.
We don't need to change the nature of America. We do not need to disparage our success, deny our exceptionalism, or transform America. We need to recommit to our founding principles and rebuild what has been broken. The comeback begins this November.
The President's 2013 Budget is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same rules.
who is the "decider" of what is fair? The Government?. I get the feeling Obama thinks that those who built a successful did not build that, that "rich" people do not pay there fair share (whatever that is) and the HE needs to set those rules, and wealth should be re-distributed.
Fighting for the middle class one $40,00 check after another!
I remember a really dumb Republican Senator named Phil Graham from Texas stating that the Dems can out-think and outwork the GOP but will never be able to out- spend "us" in the big political campaigns....and he was right about THAT ! Obama might have to stand on a street-corner with a cup b/4 this one is over !
We can argue 'he said, she said and tit for tat until doomsday, but if Romney does not release more tax return statements and explain his reasoning behind tens of millions of dollars hidden away in foreign tax haven accounts, it will all be for naught.
The republican heiarchy is already contemplating whether they may stand a better chance with Ron Paul as the nominee.....Desperate circumstances require desperate measures........either that, or punt
Hey POMPUS Obama how much did Al-Qaeda "Contribute" to your Re-Election "Campaign" for your Support in Libya & Syria? As much as the Banksters on Wall Street?
Stand up America.....November may be Our last chance to say Enough is Enough to Their "Not Wars" for their Corporate Masters Fun & Profit!!
Remember.......
If the Incumbent is a Democrat...Vote Republican!
If the Incumbent is a Republican...Vote Democratic!
For NONE of these Transnational Corporate Sponsored Corrupted Political Minions work for US....
We cannot get worse than we have ALREADY and honestly what has Bailout Barry done to deserve a second term? Saved Goldman Sachs a few Billion dollars worth of fines for what they stole from US in the First Place?
Well I for one refuse to support their UN "Criminals", to fight their UN "Wars", or Eat their UN "Soylent Green", and refuse to let them turn American into their personal UN "Gray State"!
Once again America...Refuse to Re-Elect ANYONE not even the Bumbling Be!
What did he promise this time? NOBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only folks that could possibly want four more years of this hell must have cushy government jobs. Romney/Ryan may not be perfect but come on...four more years like the last four?!
President Obama has spent about 1/3 of his time in office in out-and-out fund raising, and a lot of the rest of the time in covert campaigning.
Think what the economy could be if he spent the equivalent amount of time working on fixing the economy.
The Political Wisdom of Forrest Gump:
Why don't you go back into your highly partisan hole?
By the way, why don't you use a larger font, more bold, and more caps?
I'm sure it will support your specious logic better.
Naw the Stuper Bee is UN Educated piece of chocolate and that kind doesn't allow room for Logic!
He still believes in POMPUS Obama's support for both Goldman Sachs (Bailout Barry's #1 supporter in 2008) and in supporting Al-Qaeda against US in 2012!
That's why he's the Stuper Bee and the rest of US are just UN Soylent Green Fixins!
Well I for one will give them all the chocolate they can possibly want before I see them turn America into their UN Gray State!
No how about the rest of US? The Recipe is easy....Just Refuse to Re-Elect ANY of them!
Let the new Guys & Gals sort out their old UN Crimes against US!
The Political Wisdom of Forrest Gump:
Moron!
The Political Wisdom of Forrest Gump:
Moron!
The Political Wisdom of Forrest Gump:
Moron!
The Political Wisdom of Forrest Gump:
Bruce - maybe you should try your hand as a film critic, because as a political commentator, you suck.
mikeSanJacinto says…
But Bo-1925019 correctly reminds us that
So whereRthejobsBoehner aptly warns
And BrianJ concludes that
So, when you put that all together you get...
LATE BREAKING NEWS UPDATE ...........
Steve Baker-338532 says…
Cogito Ergo Sum 1 confirms
and Zardoz8238 informs us that the The Romney Ryan Express is
So there you have it folks. Officially verified confirmed reports that ...
The truth brought to you by all our intrepid reporters!
Bruce - President Obama has elevated pandering to a fine art.
Try to take off your blinders, and see the light of reality. I know it's difficult for a moron.
What is REALLY sad in some People are just stupid enough to accept and believe in Bailout Barrys UN Disinformation & Propaganda Campaign!
All they have to do is have enough US Military Industrial Corporate Computer Generated "Sock Puppets" out manipulating the Social Media Outlets and "Wallah" False Consensus is obtained!
97.8% of all "Sock Puppets" Polled by the MSM agree with Bumbling Barry that "We" should just Re-Elect Everyone in Washington DC for doing such a "Good Job"!
We've always been at war with Eastasia" Winston.....
Once again America....Our only choice is to STOP Rewarding these UN Criminals with Re-election for Lying to US! Refuse to Re-Elect EVERYONE OF THEM especially including that UN Not War Monger POMPUS Obama!
For "We" do not want our Children to fight & die in their UN Not Wars or to live in their UN Gray State or be forced to eat their UN Soylent Green. For the UN Educated.....Google it!
I wonder if they invited their spiritual mentor and the person who married them, Rev. Wright?
The media didn't report how many drug gang leaders showed up supporting Obama. Face it, Obama is letting the Chicago Drug Gangs shoot 10 people per day; he guarantees free flow of illegal drugs from Mexico. Heck, the Mexican Cartels were probably invited to Obama's home.
Every American, should see Dinesh D'Souza's 2016 Obama's America. That poor brother of Obama's living in sh*t. I thought that hypocrite in the White House said we are our brothers keeper. George Obama, is living in horrible third world living conditions. I guess Obama, doesn't mind when he is spending other peoples money, just not his. Obama you're an ass! I bet George Obama, didn't get an invite.
Smug and arrogant amateur.
Don't believe any polls that show Obama with a large lead. They are being manipulated by republicans to get Democrats not to vote, assuming Obama has it made and doesn't need their vote. Do not stay home. Remember 2010 when Dems stayed home and turned Congress over to teapublican idiots. Don't let that happen again. Please vote.