Patriotic Capitalism: What Does Corporate America Owe the Country?

In 2012, then-President Barack Obama gave a speech in which he referenced government investments in infrastructure. It was the kind of stump speech that might have gotten a day of coverage and then slipped from the collective consciousness, but for one simple line: “If you've got a business, you didn't build that.” A debate ensued as to whether business or government is the architect of American prosperity.

The phrase “you didn’t build that” became a rallying cry in the fight between those who want to invest in government and those who advocate corporate tax reductions. Lost in the noise were questions about the responsibility of the private and public sectors to help each other thrive.

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About the Author(s)

Erin Essenmacher

Erin Essenmacher is a board director and strategic advisor. She spent nearly 10 years in executive leadership at the National Association of Corporate Directors, most recently as president and chief strategy officer.


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