America glories in its tradition of the self-made individual. Political candidates compete to be a friend to entrepreneurs, and policymakers, imagining the next Microsoft or Google, design laws to back the innovator in the garage.

The quote "America glories in its tradition of the self-made individual. Political candidates compete to be a friend to entrepreneurs, and policymakers, imagining the next Microsoft or Google, design laws to back the innovator in the garage," by Mark McKinnon, highlights the cultural and political emphasis placed on the idea of the self-made individual in the United States. McKinnon points out how deeply American society celebrates the narrative of individuals who rise from humble beginnings to achieve success through hard work and innovation. This notion is foundational to the American dream, where anyone, regardless of their background, can become a success story.

McKinnon also points out that political candidates actively align themselves with entrepreneurs, positioning themselves as champions of business and innovation. In this context, political figures often seek to build relationships with business owners and promote policies that support entrepreneurship, catering to a public image of fostering individual success. This competition among candidates to be seen as a friend to entrepreneurs reflects how crucial this identity is in American political discourse.

Furthermore, McKinnon highlights how policymakers, driven by the success stories of companies like Microsoft and Google, create laws and regulations that aim to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. This is especially true for those individuals working in small-scale or garage-based startups, as policymakers envision these small enterprises growing into the next tech giants. The emphasis on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is embedded in policies designed to provide resources, protection, and support to the innovator.

In essence, McKinnon's quote underscores how deeply the self-made ethos and the narrative of individual achievement are woven into both the American culture and political landscape. It speaks to the influence of entrepreneurship in shaping political agendas and policies, which aim to encourage innovation and economic growth through individual effort and vision.