LETTERS: Shake Shack shows American dream alive and well

To the editor:

Since President Barack Obama took office, he has continually harped about how entrepreneurs in this country didn’t build their companies, and how not everyone plays by the same rules nor gets a fair shake. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

This country was built by people who had innovative ideas, creating products and systems that make our lives better, and by our citizens who have a great work ethic and perform the tasks necessary to produce those products and systems.

Driving down Las Vegas Boulevard recently, I noticed a long line leading out of a business called Shake Shack. This business was started 15 years ago by Danny Meyer, who had been in the restaurant business since 1985, when he was 27 years old. Shake Shack started out as a Chicago-style hot dog cart in New York City.

Last week, Shake Shack went public, trading on the New York Stock Exchange, selling 5 million shares and raising $105 million. Mr. Meyer now will be able to expand and bring his burgers and shakes to millions more.

It’s a shame the president doesn’t get how our economic system works. Instead, he continually cons the American public by denying that in the U.S., the individual can create a company and rise from mailroom clerk to CEO through hard work. We can all do this by getting a good education, through college or a trade or specialty school, then going out and applying our skills.

We need to get past believing that this country is unfair. It is one of the fairest countries in the world, and we need leaders who can articulate that to the people. The American dream is still alive for all of us. Don’t let the politicians tell you otherwise.

MICHAEL O. KREPS

LAS VEGAS