Romney’s “I built it myself” Campaign Prop is On WELFARE

OK, not “welfare” exactly.  But that’s what Mitt Romney — and the rightwing oligarchs financing his campaign — would call it.  In the ongoing soap opera, President Obama has been hammering away at the obvious fact that we need roads and schools and other taxpayer-financed projects in order for businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive.  It’s a no-brainer.  Move on.

But Mitt Romney is still blubbering away over Obama’s out-of-context quote, “you didn’t build that.”  Romney‘s latest TV commercial features Jack Gilchrist, owner of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating.  In the ad, titled “These Hands,” Jack Gilchrist says:

“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? …Through hard work and a little bit of luck, we built this business. Why are you demonizing us for it?”

Except that, uhh…Gilchrist Metal Fabricating has received some generous help from the government.    The company has received $800,000 in government loans, and has two contracts with the Navy.  Your tax dollars at work.  Nanny State Alert!  There’s been a “Government Takeover!” of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating.

Now obviously Gilchrist Metal Fabricating is a productive business run by hardworking people.  And just as obviously — this company, like all companies, NEEDS a strong government infrastructure in order to do business.  This is exactly the point that Obama has been reiterating again and again.  And it’s exact same point that Romney and his bots keep pretending not to grasp.

And now, Romney’s hand-picked campaign prop for his “Obama said I didn’t build it” meme turns out to be a perfect example — the personification — of what Obama has been telling us.

The irony — undetected by Republicans — is overpowering.