Obama Admits Businesses Creates Jobs, Not Govt

The United States and Great Britain are bound by not only a shared history but also a similarity of needs and beliefs, President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in an Op-Ed published in the Times of London.

The two leaders reaffirmed that their partnership is “rock solid,” even as their respective countries face economic, social, and strategic challenges. The United States and England must cooperate in rebuilding their economies shaken by the global economic meltdown and that there must be strong and stable growth, reduced deficits and financial system reform, they stressed.

“Governments do not create jobs: bold people and innovative businesses do. We know that our nations are self-reliant and infused with the entrepreneurial spirit. We have proud traditions of out-innovating and out-building the rest of the world — and of doing it together. Today the U.S. remains the largest investor in Britain, and Britain the largest investor in the U.S. — each supporting around a million jobs in our countries. We want to encourage more of this exchange of capital, goods and ideas. So this week we will reaffirm our commitment to strong collaboration between our universities and research facilities.”

Noting that the two men came of age in the 1980s when communism was crumbling, they wrote that the time “reminded us that when the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama chat during a White House meeting in July. (Getty Images Photo)

“And that is the key to our relationship. Yes, it is founded on a deep emotional connection, by sentiment and ties of people and culture. But the reason it thrives, the reason why this is such a natural partnership, is because it advances our common interests and shared values. It is a perfect alignment of what we both need and what we both believe. And the reason it remains strong is because it delivers time and again. Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship — for us and for the world.”

Regarding the Mideast situation, the two noted that, although the death of Osama bin Laden was a significant blow to terrorism, “it does not mark the end of the terror. Al-Qaeda and its affiliates will continue to pursue attacks against our countries so we must work together to protect our people from their poisonous ideology and the violence that flows from it.”

Nonetheless, they concluded that bin Laden’s ideology has “failed to take hold,” and Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi’s “reign represents the region’s past.”

“We stand for something different. We see the prospect of democracy and universal rights taking hold in the Arab world, and it fills us with confidence and a renewed commitment to an alliance based not just on interests but on values. Yes, we are mindful of the risks and aware of the uncertainties. But we stand together, optimistic and confident that our two nations can achieve peace, prosperity and security in the years ahead.”