Mitt Romney's massive fortune is once again in the spotlight as two recent reports highlighted his offshore accounts and raised questions about how much the Republican presidential candidate has revealed about his various assets.
An AP report released Wednesday pays particular attention to Sankaty High Yield Asset Investors Ltd., a Bermuda-based company that was transferred to a trust under Ann Romney's name the day before her husband became governor of Massachusetts in 2003.
From the AP:
The Bermuda company had almost no assets, according to Romney's 2010 tax returns. But such partnership stakes could still provide significant income for years to come, said tax experts, who added that the lack of disclosure makes it impossible to know for certain.
The candidate's 2010 tax returns listed at least 20 investment holdings besides Sankaty that had not been previously disclosed on federal reports. At least seven were foreign investments. Bain Capital Inc., the holding that posted the $1.9 million earning, was listed on Romney's state ethics reports in 2001 and 2002, when he ran for governor, but was missing from any annual ethics report until Romney's trust included it last month on his 2012 financial statement.
An August Vanity Fair article released earlier this week on Mitt Romney's offshore accounts is also helping Democrats keep up their critique of the former governor as an out-of-touch rich guy who only cares for the 1%. The Obama campaign released a statement following the Vanity Fair piece questioning Romney's offshore accounts as "hedging against the dollar" and once again insisting that he release his tax returns.
And now the president is on a two-day bus trip in Ohio and Pennsylvania dubbed the "Betting on America" tour.
Romney has released only one year of his tax returns and an estimate for 2011—which showed his tax rate to be about 14%, lower than many other wealthy Americans—despite pressure from both the left and the right.
Both articles are careful to point out that it does not appear Romney has broken the law in any way regarding his investments or his failure to disclose certain aspects. And Romney continues to defend his offshore dealings as being part of a blind trust, which makes financial decisions for him so he does not compromise his political life. But, his continued reticence will only fuel further speculation over not only the candidate's wealth, but how he made it and what he's hiding.
Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist, explained how the secrecy around Romney's wealth impacts voters' perception of him. “They think this is a candidate who is out of touch and doesn’t understand them,” he said Tuesday on MSNBC's NewsNation.
A point not lost on the Obama re-election strategists.
"Campaigns, especially presidential elections, are battles between narratives. Each campaign is trying to define themselves, trying to define their opponent," Kofinis added. "When you look at Governor Romney and the issues that have come up—that he pays a lower tax rate than most Americans, that he has these offshore accounts, that he has outsourced jobs—it creates a really damaging narrative. And the Romney campaign through their silence, and I would say missteps, have not filled that void."
Nia-Malika Henderson, national political reporter with Washington Post, also appearing on NewsNation, agreed.
"[The Romney campaign] has this sense that Americans don’t really care about this," she said. "The problem is you’re going to see Democrats twin this narrative about offshore bank accounts with this narrative out of Bain [Capital] and this whole idea that Mitt Romney doesn’t need to play by the rules."
Even The Wall Street Journal knows this is a dangerous narrative that Romney is playing into. In an Op-Ed Wednesday, the Journal noted that "the Obama campaign is assailing Mr. Romney as an out-of-touch rich man, and the rich man obliged by vacationing this week at his lake-side home with a jet-ski cameo" a reference to the candidate's recent vacation activities.
And from Vanity Fair:
While the Romneys’ spokespeople insist that the couple has paid all the taxes required by law, investments in tax havens such as Bermuda raise many questions, because they are in “jurisdictions where there is virtually no tax and virtually no compliance,” as one Miami-based offshore lawyer put it.
That’s not the only money Romney has in tax havens. Because of his retirement deal with Bain Capital, his finances are still deeply entangled with the private-equity firm that he founded and spun off from Bain and Co. in 1984. Though he left the firm in 1999, Romney has continued to receive large payments from it—in early June he revealed more than $2 million in new Bain income. The firm today has at least 138 funds organized in the Cayman Islands, and Romney himself has personal interests in at least 12, worth as much as $30 million, hidden behind controversial confidentiality disclaimers. Again, the Romney campaign insists he saves no tax by using them, but there is no way to check this.
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I do not understand why MSNBC thinks they are going to be the deciding factor in the upcoming election. I do not care one bit how much a candidate is worth, so long as he or she is honest at tax time. If you think about it, Mr. Romney's wealth is a direct result of his success in business.
Mr. Obama came in with no personal business experience whatsoever, and it shows. He surrounded himself with a group of self centered, What's In It For Me people. I would much rather see these candidates talk about what they want to see done to fix things here, and knock off the attacks. Mr. Obama is the one bringing a knife to a gun fight, and I certainly hope the voters see this.
Our financial situation is a result of bad bets with the people's money; Solyndra is a classic example. It is NOT his money! When will the people in Washington actually do what is right? I guess the threat of having their proverbial butts thrown out of office could work.
So, I say we stop this attack on the other guy routine, and start telling us what we NEED to hear. Honesty is the best policy.
Candidates are required to release a few years of their Tax Returns. I personally want to know if they're paying their taxes. That's the least the man could do after gutting factories all around the US. It's a reasonable question. If he wants to keep everything private, he's not a good candidate for public office. He should go to one of his nice homes & enjoy his family. He's a shady, secretive guy who has contempt for the people he supposedly wants to serve. A horrible candidate for president.
Notice complete lack of fact followed by the classic Obama attack. Here is a clue GWB was a business man who bankrupted every business he was in control of gee that worked out well. Here is a fact government is not a for profit business, the government was set up so all people could put into the government and get help from the government. Why should the wealthy who use the most government services pay the least. BTW when Mittens was at Bain stealing workers pensions and off shoring them into his accounts guess who picked up the tab. Yeah that is the guy who puts country first according to the tea bagged republicans.
Jeffrey - It isn't what Romney has made in his life that is in question. It is his tax returns that he won't share. Why not? Honesty as you say is the best policy so why won't Romney come clean and be honest with his tax returns?
You sound like a fox news groupie that believes all their lies....What does Romney bring to the table? A man that will do anything and say anything to get a vote. I call that a weak person that this country certainly doesn't need or want....
Mr. Geyer,
Exposing the lie that Romney is throwing around "that he is a good business man" is fair game! It is right, correct and proper for the Obama campaign to expose that lie and tell the facts of the situation! How gullible are you?
President Obama has every right to expose Romney's assertions and let's talk about attacks shall we!? There are constant outright lies and slander by the republicans daily on President Obama..........don't start with this ............stop attacks crap! Tell the republicans to stop denying that President Obama is an American citizen ... how about that LIE?!
Hey Democrats across this nation...........get your butts to Charlotte this September and act like a Democrat!
Obama/Biden 2012 For Sure
Cat, Can you provide a list of all the Companies Romney has Gutted? I know he was responsible, at least in put for saving Staples, Domino's Pizza, Sports Authority, Brookstone, Sealy mattresses, and others. In doing so he saved countless jobs. What Companies did he distroy or gut as you put it?
Jeffrey, Romney has done much better than Obama when it comes to releaseing personal information. I have seen some of Romney's Tax Returns, but I have yet to see Obama's College Transcripts or writtings. You may want to know more about Romney and his Taxes, I would like to know about Obama's grades and what he wrote while in college. If any one is hiding something I think it is Obama.
Companies Romney gutted put in Google search and you will get
Search
About 761,000 results (0.12 seconds)
That way you can read it for yourself. Gee doesn't that make life easier then begging on blogs for information you can get all by your little self.
Whom, It appears you cannot identify this long list of Companies distroyed by Romney either. Could it be there are only a few Companies that Bain couldn't save? Could it be Bain Capital saved more businesses and jobs than they lost?
So another words you just try your hardest to get out of doing the work yourself. Well at least you prove my point about how lazy tea bagged republicans are.
Whom, No, I proved my point that Liberals don't have facts to back up thier arguement. You just keep sticking with the Left Talking Points and leave them to do your thinking for you.
Did Romney or Obama lose more Jobs?
Not directly, but since the lobbyists and corporations control all of it, any legislation that happens (even under Obama's administration) some corporate interest profits from.
This definition you've outlined is absolutely absurd. It's nothing more than Obama's idea of redistributing wealth which obviously you are for.
Also your definition suggests that "putting in" is voluntary when the reality of the situation is that the government TAKES (as in by force) from some and GIVES to others. Some people would call that theft.
There is a huge difference between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal. The latter is what Obama is trying to do.
The federal government was set up to protect and defend individual freedom as outlined in the Constitution. It's not supposed to do anything beyond that and it's for that reason and that reason alone we're in so much trouble now.
All you saying why don't Romney release more information about his finances. what is he hiding and assume its something wrong or even illegal
But you conveniently want to forget that your King Obama has sealed all documents pertaining to his both times in college he wont release his grades, his thesis. any of his papers while he was in Harvard law review his student loans nothing not a dam thing so what is he hiding
No you did not ez all you proved was that you want others to tell you things you could learn yourself but because of your poor working skills you want someone to tell you what facts are. Which is why you listen to people like OxyRush and Fox news to get your opinions. Really ez all you do is prove that you are lazy and lack the skills needed to form your own opinion, you find it easier to repeat whatever others tell you which is why you believe the dumbest Fox news fake outrages.
No, they aren't required to do any such thing.
Do you believe that an Economic Crisis that took years to develop was going to be resolved in 3 1/2 years? If his policies are so bad, why do the Republicans in Washington keep "Just Saying No"? Why do you think going back to the policies that got us here are where we need to go back to? Have you benefited from the Trickle Down Economics of the Republican Party? Romney had the same business experience when he was elected Governor of Massachusetts and when he left office they ranked 47th in job creation. How did his business experience make him a productive successful governor and improve the state?
Teapublicans support a bigger military but scream smaller government! Since 40% of the budget goes to the military it would seem there needs to be a direct connection between the two. War is very profitable just ask Dick Cheney. The US has the two #1 air force's in the world. The #1 navy by leaps and bounds and every war since WWII has been for the large part a big waste. Its time to go in different direction and be peace makers and not continue with a proactive invasion crusade with a feeble excuse to kill and then steal the resources of a helpless country. The US is the White Horse and it must end.
Time to do some nation building here at home. Romney's policies will go back to the GWB policy of endless war and bloated defence budgets. We cannot sustain that. It is an immoral policy to start with. While we are being the watchdog of the world, our own country is falling apart due to the DOMESTIC enemies in the Congress.
Romney cares about two things: Money and Power. Period. That is not going to help anyone in the country but ROMNEY and his peers in the upper 1%.
No, but Obama should have known better than to say he could fix it in his first term. Either he was totally clueless about it going in, or he flat out lied about it.
His policies are bad and someone needs to say no.
No, but the proposed solution (spend spend spend) is not going to work either.
No, but I can't support a candidate that wants to take money I earned out of my pocket, borrow and spend under the guise of it being for my behalf, and redistribute it any way he wants to.
It didn't, and who cares about Romney anyway? He's not going to get elected so who cares? I never thought Romney was the answer to anything, but you're just kidding yourself if you think Obama is.
Libya is next and it's going to happen under Obama's administration.
Well it won't be the same mess that GWB caused as Obama has proven time after time get in get er done get out, no endless war for profits for Haliburton.
Chitown: So who's your choice? A libertarian? Tea Party? Lots of bad mouthing no answers...
Time after time? To my knowledge he's got er done exactly once with Bin Laden.
That is hardly a track record and was a totally different set of circumstances that what's coming up with Libya, where we will be going in to remove a regime.
Additionally, we will be further involving ourselves with Israel in the near future (after the election) when we arm them to fight Iran. Then when they get in over their heads (because Iran has a real army) guess whose going in to bail them out?
And none of these things will be called wars because Obama will use the War Powers Resolution and NATO to get around Congress just like he has time after time.
Military intervention, regardless of whether or not you call it a war, is profitable to the exact same military contractors that profited from Bush.
xxx-
My choice is Ron Paul, but he's not going to get elected because nobody wants to face the truth about what's happening to this country. I don't take any pleasure in knowing that soon we will have no choice but to face it.
Feel free to run down my candidate if you want to turn this into a pissing contest. I've heard it all before, and I won't engage in it with you, (because RP isn't going to be President anyway) so know you'll just be wasting your time if you do.
Cat....Let me debunk another lie that has been posted on this blog...
There is no legal requirement for candidates to release their tax returns. Just as there is no legal requirement for candidates to release any of their school records.
just saying...
I know you like Ron Paul, and hope he wins, but he has no chance, Chitown! I agree with his foreign policy myself!
I am completely aware he has no chance, but that's not going to stop me from writing him in, because I can not and will not vote for liars. Ron Paul is living proof that what's right isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always right.
Unfortunately, America has no chance either if we keep getting more of the same, and no matter who wins, that's what we're going to get this time around. Romney or Obama... it's all the same and the best I can do is prepare for the next four years because things are only going to get worse.
Chitown, No, it is not the same. Their policies are antithetical! Obama is for the people. Romney is for the wealthy people. Obama has morals and is not a liar. Romney lies constantly.
I agree that Ron Paul is smart and moral and I agree with many of his ideas. But if you write him in, Romney wins and we all lose. Every vote will count. In my state, our GOP governor has disenfranchised 700,000 people. All Democrats, and my son is one of them. He's had to go to extraordinary lengths to be able to vote now and has voted since he was of eligible age!
What does that tell you about the party Romney heads?
Here is what you RP supporters keep ignoring, when the GOP tugged on RP's purse strings RP dropped out faster then you can say RP is a racist.
How Did Mitt Romney Get So Obscenely Rich? Robert Reich Explains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rodifJlis2c
How exactly did Mitt Romney Get So Obscenely Rich? Robert Reich explains The Magic of Private Equity in 8 Easy Steps.
Not just a Democrat talking point, BAIN is a good example of what is wrong with the new "casino capitalism" and private equity/ betting with other people's money.
This is a must see video if you have questions about the ethics of BAIN.
Chitown:Instead of what you think I may say I will say this about RP I think he is genuine and speaks his mind and backs it up. I agree with some of the libertarian ideas not all. I think we are moving in that direction, but as you said he may not stand a chance. His take on disarmament is about as popular as the teatards calling Obama an appeaser. The Koch brothers won't back him or Citizens United. Dems don't like cutting social programs they paid in for years. I think you may agree we got to get BIG money out of politics and stop being the world police. I think it may have been to early for some to have a black president or even a woman is too much for them. No doubt Obamacare has been a point of which has been under attack from day one. And the dems pushed it though. But let me ask you this would we have anything like this LAW if the Teapublicans had any say in passing healthcare reform? After almost two years of filibustering it was passed. And much time was wasted at all of our expense. And a budget has been a nightmare to say the least with every bill the teapublicans endorse has got to have other attachments to it of which the president said he wouldn't pass but they did it anyway. And for what reason? We all know what McConnell said.
This is where you are misguided.
Their policies are not antithetical, their rhetoric (the rhetoric of division) is. Until people recognize this, nothing is going to change.
Obama is just as big of a liar as Romney is. He's just better at disguising it with feel good speak.
The grand plan is to keep everyone arguing while they serve the exact same agenda. Obama's policies serve the exact same corporate interests as Romney.
If I vote for Obama, I lose sleep because I agree with absolutely nothing that he's doing.
I'm not voting for Romney for reasons that should be obvious.
I prefer to vote my conscience, and for the record to vote for Obama because I don't want Romney is a ridiculous reason to vote. You're supposed to vote FOR the candidate you want. Not vote against a candidate by casting a ballot in support of someone else you can't stand. This logic is the exact reason why we have morons and liars in Washington.
My apologies if you think my comments were directed at you specifically, they weren't.
I appreciate what you're saying here and I think what you say about RP is true. He does speak his mind, and I don't know if you watched any of the debates but he refused to engage in smear tactics against the other candidates. Instead he wanted to focus on the issues but as usual the press did not give him equal time.
His take on disarmament may not be popular but I'm afraid it's going to become an economic reality, and probably soon. We are following in the footsteps of Russia in our quest for empire, and the result will be the destruction of this nation, just like Russia. We learn nothing from the consequences of the actions of others. We think it can't happen to us. We are wrong.
As for Koch Bros and Citizens United not backing him, it's not surprising to me. He tells the truth, has allegiance only to his oath of office, and if he had it his way it would severely affect their bottom line.
Chitown: Disagree Romney has picked the same guys GWB had. Obama doesn't get a pile of Wall St. money for his campaign but Willard does. I know your gonna say Obama has that big shot from GE on his team, but he has been bringing jobs back from China. Unlike Willard and company.
Obama doesn't need Wall St. money to campaign, he's the incumbent and has a pile of money to spend on his campaign because up until Romney won the nomination, he didn't have to spend a dime.
You're forgetting that Romney had to put out an ass load of money to win the nomination. Obama didn't have to do that.
But while we're on the subject, do these look like Wall Street supporters?
University of California
$1,648,685
Goldman Sachs
$1,013,091
Harvard University
$878,164
Microsoft Corp
$852,167
Google Inc
$814,540
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$808,799
Citigroup Inc
$736,771
Time Warner
$624,618
Sidley Austin LLP
$600,298
Stanford University
$595,716
National Amusements Inc
$563,798
WilmerHale LLP
$550,668
Columbia University
$547,852
Skadden, Arps et al
$543,539
UBS AG
$532,674
IBM Corp
$532,372
General Electric
$529,855
US Government
$513,308
Morgan Stanley
$512,232
Latham & Watkins
$503,295
All of these companies provided funds (amounts shown) for Obama's 2008 campaign.
As for bringing jobs back from China, Obama is for green energy and 68 percent of solar panels sold are (still) manufactured in China. Obama is providing tax incentives for green energy companies even though the market doesn't want it. There is absolutely no point in bringing workers back to this country to build things nobody wants.
Well, You are simply wrong, Chitown, Obama is not a liar and I am an educated person and have never been swayed by rhetoric. I check facts! I consider myself a good judge of people, too, and if you doubt that, 99% of the righties on this blog are on ignore. You aren't. (not just because you love cats, either), I understand where you are coming from. (most of the time, LOL)
And the fact as I see it is: You are wrong. I understand vote your conscience, but in this case, why vote at all? IT means nothing to vote for someone who's not running! Can't we agree that Obama would be the better of the two choices? My conscience is intact, yet when I wanted to vote for Ralph Nader but knew it was a wasted vote, I voted for the Democrat who was running. I don't regret that. I hope you will at least think of that a little bit.
I will concede that Obama is the lesser of two evils. If that makes him better so be it.
As for lies, here's a clip of Obama lying seven times in under 2 minutes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UErR7i2onW0
And for what it's worth, I wasn't posting my opinion to make you mad (or put me on ignore.) We just disagree about Obama's agenda. Lots of people here do (disagree with me,) and I'm totally cool with that.
Furthermore, I hope I'm wrong about Obama because I want what's best for America just like everyone here. He's going to be re-elected so I guess we will find out if he can really enact the change he's promising. I'm perfectly willing to wait it out and see where this thing goes.
Give me 2008 huh! What about now?
And as far as nobody wanting them you are very wrong. We want good quality solar panels and wind power at a price that doesn't cost more than it would cost to do otherwise. I for one would love to be able to sell the excess power back to the power company, even though they would pay me less for it than what they would sell it to me for. There is another reason to be off the grid, I would think there are a whole lot of people in the Mid East after they have lost their power until the end of the week. I guess they are off the grid really aren't they? And this is the future if we don't change our ways!
Say what you will about Obama but he beat a heavy Hillary and latter a rich Senator POW war veteran in 2007 and no one even knew who Barrack Obama was before that. Explain that?
Now doesn't matter because he's the incumbent and doesn't need as much money as he did in 2008. In 2008 the playing field was level and both parties had to campaign equally because Bush's terms were over.
Then why did Solyndra go bust?
The question is not whether you'd love to, the question is why aren't you? The answer is because these things are not affordable or effective in the capacity you're suggesting. Have you done the calculations of how many panels you'd need based on your current energy consumption? The answer may surprise you. Also you need a place to put all of those panels and most neighborhoods have zoning regulations that won't allow you to have a solar array in your back yard.
Chit:
1. Romney has put up very little of his own. Citizens United and PAC money and other billionaires have. And your point was that Obama was getting money for re-election and he is not they have put their money on the Mormon.
2.Soylndra when belly up because they foolishly invested in old tech materials that were not up to current specks and should have known better.
3. Indeed old law need to be thrown out so the new tech can be implemented. And soon as I can I will get some of this FREE power. Don't be a fool its coming even if you don't want it. And you can keep your antiquated oil burner.
And thanks to people like you and your ignorance most of us will starve to death.
Thanks allot!
I'm aware it's coming, but the price and efficiency (output) of these devices need to be improved vastly before anyone will buy into them and we are a good decade away from that happening unless the oil runs out before that. It might.
None of this is a result of my ignorance. The truth is that we probably will run out of oil before any of this alternative energy is ready for prime time because this should have been addressed in 1970.
It's already too late.
And I did the calculations for solar in my parent's home. A system to totally eliminate their dependence on the grid would cost in excess of 15 thousand dollars. To recoup that cost it would take them nearly twelve years.
This is not taking into account how much space it would take up (three quarters of their .9 acre back yard) or the maintenance costs when the wind or weather damages the panels or they fail. Not practical.
Chit: Meanwhile back in reality the Bakken in ND is flaring off over 30% of the natural gas. Just so the greedy rich oil barons can rape us some more. The tech is here in more ways then one. What are those big pinwheel things in Europe? A relatively small area in the Southwest US could supply the whole country with electric power today but has been stalled. Another not so new tech is the artificial leaf which works like one in nature. Fuel oxygen & hydrogen that can be used for autos and electric power if the winds not blowing or the sun shining. Nah lets wait until we are killing each other for the last drop.
http://voices.yahoo.com/mojave-desert-southwest-could-supply-solar-power-5802962.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/may/11/scientists-cost-artificial-leaf
http://shaleblog.com/category/bakken-shale/
Ah but lest we forget that petroleum and other fossil fuels are used in nearly everything manufactured from formica to plasterboard to adhesives to the plastics in medical supplies. There is scarcely anything in your home that isn't at least partially manufactured using petroleum of fossil fuel.
It's also interesting to note that photocells themselves are manufactured using petroleum.
There is no practical known substitute for petroleum in any of these manufacturing processes.
So while I agree with you that we must find alternatives, I've stated before that our dependency on petroleum and fossil fuel has gone on way too long. There is no question we are going to run out. And there is no question that we will not be ready for that eventuality.
here is what is missing. Those accounts earn interest that is taxable. He does not pay tax on that until he brings the money back. So while his millions are setting in bank accounts overseas the Romney's are avoiding taxes. Legal but how patriotic is this. I see people who do this as un-American.
I think it is a despicable practice for a man running for president. Of course, I never saw this four time draft dodger as a patriot to start with. Why is it that the draft dodgers are often the biggest warmongerers? He was on the streets of Paris supporting the war and the draft! What kind of hypocrite does that?
I saw him then and now as an elitist coward with very little intelligence or sophistication. A lying corporate raider. Possibly a psychopath.
I guess I won't be voting for him. LOL (He can bet his Swiss bank accounts on that!)
It's rather un-American to tell someone (who is free and is an American) what they can and can not do with their own money. The fact of the matter is, he is banking offshore legally and as long as he is, this is nobody's business but his.
There are so many other reasons to dislike Romney. I don't understand why you can't focus on something negative about him that actually matters rather than this load of media hype.
I enumerated a few, Chitown. I wasn't going by media hype.
LOL aren't there better reasons to dislike Romney? There are about 15 reasons on this thread alone that I could identify in about five seconds.
I don't like the man. I've made that clear, but it's not because he's wealthy, and what he does with his own money is none of my business.
Chi = Here-in Lays the Problem - His Money - Is - Other Peoples Money - you know OPM - Thats What Makes It America's And Americans Business !!!!!
MD this is true but is also true of most corporatism. I hate the game more than I do the players.
I'm for a free market economy (where price and demand is set by what the market dictates). I realize that most people disagree because they confuse capitalism and free market economies with corporatism.
Corporatism (and it's influence in Washington) stands in the way of anything good happening.
Hope ya Had a Nice 4th -Bud ---- ----- And Yep Corporatism = Thievery - Especially the way that robME and bain Do It and Have Done It - Stealing Peoples{Workers} Retirement Money + !!!
Thanks man. It's HOT here! 4th was fun... but the heat wiped me out.
I'm leaning more and more towards just enjoying life and not worrying so much about the things I can't change. Life is pretty short. I'm spending the bulk of my time appreciating what I already have instead of lamenting over what I don't, and helping people in any way it is within my means and power to do, one person at a time.
When I'm not working I volunteer quite a bit of my time and services free of charge to disabled veterans. I also help out a few times a month at a local homeless shelter. I find this much more effective and rewarding than beating a drum for Washington to make everything fair. Individual results may vary but this seems to be working for me.
I think it's time for all of us to do what we can to make our individual worlds a little better. Maybe together (as the 99 percent) we can enact change without depending on some guy in Washington to do it for us.
Well Now - Those are some Most NOBLE Things that You Are Doing - Many Americans Thank You - I Am Certain - And I Also Thank You For Doing These Things - See - I Knew You Were A Good Man / American and I Also Agree That We Are Unable To Do Much of Anything About the Imbalance In Wealth/Power in This Country -- To An Extent !!!! Believe ME - I Hear and Know the Frustration - as Many Americans DO !!!
In all honesty friend, I thank you but the reward for this is the feeling I get when I help people who need it. It makes me feel lucky that I can do something good for someone and it makes me appreciate what I do have even more. Things can always be worse, trust me, I've seen it first hand.
Yes Sir - I can Appreciate That !!!! I Believe that You Understand How President Obama Feels Also as He has Tried and Tried and Made Some Headway to Help Other Americans and Yet He Receives Nothing But FLACK From a Certain Part of This Country !!!!!
I think a lot of folks in Washington are frustrated these days. Symptom of the beast we've created.
When Mitt's father ran for president in 1968, he released 12 years of tax returns. He stated "one year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show." Mitt has released one year, and that revealed he had declared accounts in Bermuda, The Cayman Islands and Switzerland. All countries that are tax havens and have secrecy laws to protect depositors. Not illegal, but highly suspect. Why not Germany, France or Italy? He may and I repeat may release a later year tax return, but he can't release a previous year. You see Mitt doesn't like to pay taxes. When he worked for Bain, they lobbied for the tax break that allows them to pay 15% on carried interest. When they wanted to close the loophole, Bain spent millions again on lobbying. When he was on the board of directors of Marriott, he was Audit Chairman. He reduced their tax rate to 6.8% through offshore tax dodges and sleazy loopholes. Enough of this, the real story starts below.
In 2009 the IRS had a tax amnesty for people that had money in undeclared Swiss bank accounts. The IRS was given a list of 4,500 names, and let the financial world know they were going to go after these people. More than 30,000 people came forward and the government collected 2.7 billion in taxes and penalties. The company that came forward with these names was UBS, the same company that Mitt has his "declared" account with. Some believe up to 10 trillion dollars are stashed in tax havens by Americans. His staff was sweating bullets in January when he released his tax release. Now that there are calls for him to release his previous tax returns, they are back in panic mode. They have no way to explain the mysterious appearing accounts and the sudden surge in assets. If he does release them, look for white out and a copy of Photo Shop at his campaign office.
So what is Obama hiding with not one disclosure from his time in college
Why is it when Romney wont disclose everything you want him to he is hiding something But when your King Obama hides 6 years of his life by paying lawyers to keep all those records sealed nothing is said
Wrong again all school records are sealed that is the law. Funny how to you school records are more important then tax records which can show illegal tax evasion activities. So yet again nonsense from the Fox news fake outrage brigade set up by rimjob over at free republic, or better known as pure 100% bull@!$%#.
And that is where you are wrong not all information is sealed from the public for employment sake as an employer you are allowed to verify grades, courses taken and if passed and degrees. also collages are allowed to see your grade and high school and other college transcripts for enrollment purposes
When Romney's cronnies have nothing that the draft dodger wants them to talk about, they bring up schooling
How about his stealing from honest tax payers?
John, How about his job creating record in MASS? How about his being involved in an outsourcing, immoral operation like Bain?
How about a man this wealthy wanting to take away the few benefits the poor will have through the AHCA and do it in favour of giving more tax cuts to the rich? (like himself). To me he is all around a despicable man.
This is no compassionate conservative; quite the opposite. In fact, I do not even think he's a patriot. I don't want him near the white house!
Yes, the "immoral" Bain Capital - so immoral in fact that the Obama campaign has spent almost $18,000 at Bain created Staples this year alone.
Since all you liberals are upset that Romney legally places money in Switzerland and you all hate corporate/big money in politics - I can conclude that you are upset Obama is holding a fundraiser in Switzerland, right?
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/1/17/at_times_romneys_bain_capital_profited
During his campaign, Republican candidate Mitt Romney has preached a message of economic populism by vowing to fight to keep jobs in America. We take a look at Romney’s days heading up the buyout firm Bain Capital with Los Angeles Times reporter, Bob Drogin. He writes, "From 1984 until 1999, Romney led Bain Capital, a Boston-based private equity group that earned jaw-dropping profits through leveraged buyouts, debt hedge funds, offshore tax havens and other financial strategies. In some cases, Romney’s team closed U.S. factories, causing hundreds of layoffs, or pocketed huge fees shortly before companies collapsed." [includes rush transcript]
TM, Exactly right. BTW, what a great photo!
Yes TM = You Are a Mighty Pretty Lady !!!!!
Interesting argument all - except for me this is a question of character. Just tell the truth. There are some things that the media finds because they have assets to do so . . you don't want them to find something different than what you say or imply, period. And, sorry to say, private or public business experience, in this instance, the office of the President, is not a prerequisite because the systems are not the same. Lie to yourself if need be, but we all know that a CEO has DIRECT influence and action on what and how a company does things, a President doesn't and there are reasons why: because we said when this great country was formed, that we don't want a king! If Romney will be a better president (and I adamantly don't think he would!), then tell me why, but it ain't because he was a good businessman - especially since HE is profiting (and his partners) not his employees (who are they by the way?) Lastly, as the President (and this goes back to my original statement) there are times you can be persuaded to change your mind, but there must be some consistency in your actions / beliefs that track over time: CHARACTER. For this, pissed off as it may make you, President Obama, like him or not, is the better candidate, ther better man and the better President.
Mitchie, We have seen what the Media does with the Truth, they twist it to meet their own political objectives. Look at the way Romney and his time at Bain Capital has been presented. The Media for the most part completely ignores the fact that Romney and Bail saved vastly more jobs than they lost. The Media focuses on the few companies that went under and discards the many that prospered. Yet another example is the Tax Returns already released by Romney. While his activities were all lawful, the Media focuses on these Off Short Accounts as if it was criminal. Have you seen ever one story on Romney's charitable contributions in the Media? The Media hounds Romney to give them more and more information, while at the same time fail to seek like information from Obama. Obama gave less to Charitable Organizations prior to becoming a Senator than I did and he had nearly four times my income. Where was that story? These people only want information that they can manipulate to their own benefit. Now lets see Obama's Transcripts and more importantly his College Writings.
2ez: Willard didn't steal your pension after working a lifetime huh?
xxx, Theft is a crime. Saying a business man conducting business in a lawful manner is a crime is like saying Taxes being spent on redistribution policies is a crime. I don't know if any one had their pension stolen, was yours?
What the hell do you call it? A gift? Your a lost cause.
2ez4u2c2's tactic is to pass off questions as statements, that way he doesn't need to answer them or post facts.
xxx. Believe it or not there are no guaranties in life, regardless of what you are told by the Government or an employer. Businesses fail every day. When was the last time you were in a Montgomery Wards store or the last time you could buy a new Henderson Motorcycle? Wow a few of millions of US companies that are no more, and you think it is not fare when the workers lost out right along with the business owners and shareholders. If Romney or Bain Capital did anything illegal in their business transactions, I am sure the Media would have discovered it. Absent of any such illegal activity, simply saying it is crimial is wrong.
Chris, Here is a fact for you. Neither Bain Capital nor Romney have been criminally prosecuted or convicted of theft of an employees pension. To say his actions were criminal is a flat out LIE.
Yet.
The Old Guilty Until Proved Innocent logic of the Liberal.
This looks like a JOB for TRUMP!
Contempt accusation for Eric Holder, anyone?
Contempt was valid, he offended and showed contempt for Congress. It is their call to make. that is why it is called "Contempt of Congress". If there was a charge "Contempt of Liberals", you could cast a vote.
Isn't that your witch hunt?
Is Mitt Romney going to be arrested for lying about his oversea accounts?
Why am I having trouble asking why Mitt Romney isn't arrested for lying about his
overseas finances?
ok put down the coolaid
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/01/18/cayman-islands-watch-mitt-romney-parks-millions-in-offshore-tax-haven/
Stop getting drunk on tea.
You people are not talking about the issues. These tidbits of junk information by Obama's team is to make up for lack of leadership on his part. He knows he has failed the American people so instead of talking about what he has done he tries to destroy Romney. It is not going to work. Romney will win because Obama's record is dismal at best. Heck even with the liberal Supreme Court Ruling the Democrats in both the House and Senate are running away from him. They may even vote to repeal it so the Liberal court ruling won't matter at all. It is all about common sense, Obama will lose becasue he has lost his smoothness and the voters do not want to be idiots in 2012.
I agree with you that Obama's record is dismal, but I don't think that's going to open the door for a Romney win. I don't think Romney can beat Obama in a debate, first of all. Obama sucks at a lot of things but he's a great orator and don't think for a minute that isn't going to help him tremendously.
If you've read any of the transcripts of Obama's speeches, they are filled with generalities and Tony Robbins feel good speak but they say absolutely nothing. People buy into his BS because of the way he says it. Romney doesn't have that gift and that alone will probably cost him the election.
When the chips are down, people don't want to hear how bad things really are (even though they should.) They want to hear things that make them feel good, and Obama is all about rainbows and unicorns. As long as everyone stays in denial Obama has a great shot at winning.
I am an American 61 yrs old, Viet Nam Vet, Lover of my country. In the military you are required to work togeather, follow orders , and get the job done. About 10 yrs ago or longer jobs started going over seas, products made cheeper, could sell cheeper, and still make a good profit, No problem untill the unemployment went way up, lost sales, lost taxes, lost jobs. I remember it I was there, Gasoline .26cts a gallon in 1970. This is not a game of the Dems against the Reps it should be a united front, we are Americans first and should being doing what is best for our country. Not fighting like young school kids . grow up Both partys and get it done.
Hey Big Eddie seems your Cherry/Cola BBQ Sauce is a big hit!
North Dakota/Minnesota Crystal Sugar workers have once again turned down the unchanged last offer from Crystal Sugar. The workers in Mn are running out of unemployment benefits soon as they have been extended already. And are on their last legs. Big Eddie you may be their last hope.
I don't know if its allowed to show petitions on the Ed Show or mention them on the Ed Schulitz Show but if you can I would hope you would. I'm not a locked out worker but I am Union strong in support of their plight. Crystal WILL NOT budge they need more help to get them to move on their corporate greed.
American Crystal Sugar made a record profit of $1.54 billion before it locked out 1,300 workers, shareholders learned at the cooperative’s annual meeting in South Fargo on Dec. 1. David Berg. Link below with more information.
http://afscmemn.org/sugar-company-makes-record-profit
The Petition against Crystal Sugar/link below
http://act.americanrightsatwork.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3034&track=20111024_adv_crystal_rem
Romney has accounts in SEVEN different countries. Caymans, Bermuda, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Luxembourg and Switzerland. That's a lot of hiding. I'm betting he's worth a lot more than $250,000,000. At least I'd like to see if he is, and if he's paid taxes on all of it. Again, I'm betting he hasn't.
MJB You'd win the bet. It is legal for him to do this, but it is immoral, IMO.
Could be the only reason he wants to prez, so he can get away with not ever showing us how much he has cheated us and the government. Why else did the super rich pick him it certainly wasn't the choice of the people.
MJB...if you know where the accounts are, how is he hiding anything?
just saying...
XXXOOO, That's right. I said last August he'd be the pick of Wall Street. They love to make us think we have a choice.
If we ever did have a choice, we don't now. If we did, Ralph Nader would have been president years ago.
http://www.barackobama.com/romney-offshore-outsourcing/
storm = he{robMe} will Not Reveal ALL Info - Dont ya Think that someone that is running for the Highest Office of OUR Country Need NOT Hide Anything ?????
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/04/12563981-romney-health-care-mandate-is-a-tax?lite
I Mean "Man-Up" and "Tell the Truth" - Do NOT HIDE From The Truth Or The Facts !!!! Lay-It ALL Out - as long as He{robMe} has Nothing to HIDE !!!!!
Weasels Steal and Then Hide Things = Sounds Just like robMe to ME !!!!!!
Stormy~ He's not hiding the countries, he's hiding the figures, Luv.
If there is no legal requirement to report it, then he is not hiding anything, LUV. He has fulfilled all of the IRS requirements...case closed. If not, then produce evidence otherwise.
MD...if your standard is that it should ALL be laid out on the table, I am sure that you are going to ask Obama to reveal his school records...right?
Ralph Nader...President....right...
just saying...
Stormy, you get so testy! Did you forget to eat your prunes?
I just responded to the other comments made on the thread. How is that being testy?
just saying...
Who cares!!!!!!! Where are the JOBS!!!!!!!!
VOTE NObama 2012!!!!
Ask your Republican Elected Officials who keep filibustering and "Just Saying No". They are the ones who put party before Country.
Romney/Reverse 2012
Romney/NoHealthCare 1812
"Money First"
The kook who keeps bringing up schooling should jump on his broomstick and fly away!
MJB.......who cares where he has money. The money is his, he earned it and can put it anywhere he wants to, unlike you who wants to take away hard earned money from us and redistribute it. I can put my money anywhere I damn please. This is another tidbit of usless information because neither you blow hard Ed or any of the other liberal hosts on MSNBC can defend thsi inept President.
Blind - Just Plain BLIND !!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MD don't blame me for that hole in your tent! Ha ha ha!
To all you mental midgets who dont understand why people put money in off shore accounts let me try to explain
Its called diversifying your investments. they aren't doing it to hide anything
You are letting Hollywood influence your beliefs of off shore accounts
If you put all your money into a single countries economy when that economy takes a nose dive it effects all your money but if you spread it around with other countries banks not all your money is affected. It is that simple that even you ignorant liberals should be able to understand and if you don't there is no hope for you and you need to live in a socialist society because you are to mentally challenged to manage your own finances and need to government to make those decisions for you
It is called tax evasion and was illegal until the GOP made it legal back when Ronnie I didn't say that Reagan was running things. Except those wealthy people do not handle their financial matters they hire teams of tax lawyers to do it for them which proves you have no clue about the wealthy that someone else told you, like Fox news.
There you go again stop getting your info about off shore accounts from Hollywood
Investment made overseas are subject to the same taxes as if they was made in the US look it up if you don't believe me
For your own sake stop making your self look like a fool and do some research and stop it with these Hollywood myths and learn the facts
if you put all your money into a single countries economy when that country takes a nose dive....no more need to be said.....oh my ribs do you read what you type?
my my my, USA loyalty has many diversities if your one of the top....hahahaha'
let's see, if I got it right, tax evasion legal or not and draft dodging to name a few.....hahahahaha
nothing like having insider info when your country is goin to war or take a nose dive.....hahahahaha.......
Don't hand me that Liberal bull crap
Do you only buy American made? If you do you don't own much
Do you only buy from companies who only invest in America? If you do you don't own anything
Does that posting pattern seem like someone we know?
Ford.......and yes.....It takes a little research but it is worth the time.....I do buy foreign gas......do I have a choice?
can't afford much more than Chinese stuff after the Bush got done. stocks goin up in me retirement fund and maybe I can off s o r e toooooooo........
anyways....what sets me apart from your love is I try American first.
And do you actually think everything in that Ford car is American made? sorry to inform you its not it might be assebled in the US but it isn't America made. And can you honestly tell me that Ford doesn't invest in other countries
yep you got a choice TM. like everything the other side offers. let's see, healthcare, check....don't use it but pay for it. gas oh that's right, let's run a pipe line that the Koch's swear in writing that all that's processed will be used exclusively here in these United States....check another wild idea that the right gobbles up.
Gosh I'm so glad they have a corporate vulture that's going watch out for the made in America label....check....gobble gobble gobble....it ain't even turkey day yet.....and....we got turkeys....
Hesback with every post you make just shows us how ignorant you are
Do you even know how oil is sold?
It is sold as a commodity in a word market as a buyer you can't say i only want to buy American oil just like as a seller you can't say i only want to sell it in America
This is what Obama is counting on is ignorant voters like you so he can lie and you are to stupid to know any better
I swear they need to give voters i simple IQ test to be illegible to vote if they did you would never have another Democrat in office
Willard's claim is that he's the candidate because he's a successful businessman we just want to know if he's legitimate. If so he's got nothing to worry about. But we want more than two weeks before the election for him to show us. And he has been sticking the bill to towns and cities for his campaign. I know what your gonna say next but the Obama campaign has paid most if not all communities for expenses where he has been campaigning, even though Obama can't walk out of the White House without the Teatards screaming foul!
Well, you're certainly illegible.
gobble gobble gobble...........oh my ribs..........
If this is TRFjr, what the hell is TRFsr like?
TRFjr~ Don't forget...Hollywood gave you Pubbies your idol. Ronnie Bedtime for Bonzo Reagan.
WTO/Petition to stop NAFTA on steroids (Be sure to select what option you want AFTER you fill out information...select AFTER!!!
http://action.citizen.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11017
Raise Fed Minimum wage/Petition
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/harkin_minimum_wage/
Petition/Co-sponsor to end the hiding of campaign contributions
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/disclose_citizen_cosponsor/?p=disclose_citizen_cosponsor&r=6902764&id=42535-54806
As always CHECK and make sure you have made the proper choice if you want you name shown an all petitions. Thanks again.
It Truely Amazes Me that Anyone would support this "DODGER of EVERYTHING" {robMe} - These Sheepish Followers Obviously Wear Blinders !!! and Are Sooo Ignorant - Its Just Incredible !!!!
I Guess All of the Duckers and Dodgers Just Stick together Like MOLD !!!!!!
aaaaaamen MD/MI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crazy Glue made by Koch Ink. If Willard gets in he would be ready to sign the legislation that allows him and other rich to hide their blood money first thing.
You dems make me want to throw up. Romneys finances are in the spotlight again. Are you kidding me? You are the idiots who put it in the spotlight. Just because a man has money, he cannot be president. Did they grill JFK like this? How he got his money?...etc.
You dems make me laugh. The things you guys resort to ....to try and make Mitt Romney look bad....because you CANNOT MAKE OBAMA LOOK GOOD.
Those are the facts. Obama's record and everything that is going on now is so toxic that you dems resort to anything.
You are going to lose in November. Mark it down. You can make up lies....you can distort things...you can try to drag up and make up mud.........BUT YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE. Ed Schultz cannot do a thing about it. Just like in 2010 and just like when Wisconsin voted to stand behind their governor. You guys are done.
All of the name calling, slandering, lying, spinning...cannot and will not change that.
Mitt Romney for President of our United States of America. One nation under GOD.
back to GOD huh. thought Romney was a man?
Amazing == How a Weasel can Become A MAN - hey !!!!!!
I Must State == That He {robMe} Certainly Is a Shape-Shifter and a Piss-Poor Chameleon !!!!!
what was it they told me when I was talkin about scorpions? don't pick on the animals. shucks I couldn't even pick on the insects!
Funny how they keep referring to something that wasn't written until over 100 years after the country was founded as well as ignoring how the founding fathers hated pledges of allegiance. Then ignore that god didn't find its way into the pledge until the 1950's because the Birchers believed that communists couldn't pledge to god. Yeah GOP insanity goes marching on into the 22nd century.
resort to the truth? romney is a liar and thief!
Hey Dem Elizabeth.....you had better get everyone to Charlotte this year because more and more democratic congressmen and women are deciding to stay home.
What about that Liz? How do you explain that? What is happening to the dems?
A little boy 5 years old took all the jelly beans out of his fathers jar on his desk. A while latter his father asked his son. "Well Ronnie did you take all of the jelly beans out of the jar on my desk?" Ronnie said "No father I did not!" Then his father said "Well what did I tell you about lying" Little Ronnie said" Father someday when I grow up i want to be just like you" He's father said. "Well someday you will be a fine Republican like me!"
Mitt-where are your tax returns? However,we did learn that you used your horse that will be shown in the Olympics as a $70,000 business tax deduction.
Was you whining like a mule over Ted Kennedy's offshore stashes or even John Kerry's? Liberals are just jealous individuals who wants what others have and don't want to work for it.
Did you know that the Obama's earned $ 820,751 from foreign income in 2010?
It is in their 2010 income tax statment which is avaible on line.
That is 46% of their total income in 2010. Total income was $ 1,795,714.
Make that a headline article.
Did you know that the Obama's earned $ 820,751 from foreign income in 2010?
It is in their 2010 income tax statment which is available on line.
That is 46% of their total income in 2010. Total income was $ 1,795,714.
Mitt Romney is a wealthy puppet of the Mormon Church, which worships Mammon. He doesn't care about anything else, and doesn't want to talk about it. If elected, his kelptocracy will make Bain Capital seem to have been compassionate. To get a better understanding of the cult that produced Mitt Romney, and to get your socks scared, off read The Assassination of Spiro Agnew, available at:
www.amazon.com/Assassination-Spiro-Agnew-novel-ebook/dp/B0083EGJXC
It dramatizes the Mormon superiority complex manifesting as racism, sexism, jingoism, and an anti-federal government temperament.
It shows the similarities between Islam and Mormonism and reveals the secrets of Mormon mind control.
Consider this review:
“With a clarity of language and vision unsurpassed in contemporary American prose, Steven Janiszewski's Assassination of Spiro Agnew takes us into a U.S. mazed with madness and Mormonism and all things Utah, a U.S. that was then and still is. Do we need a novel, even as brilliant as this one, about a young man on a divine mission to assassinate the Vice President because he is too liberal? Yes, now more than ever. Readers, welcome to a masterpiece.”
Tom Whalen
www.tomwhalen.com
Everyone should read The Assassination of Spiro Agnew.
When is Romney going to complete and release his tax returns for 2011? I work for a publicly traded corporation, based in the United States, but doing business in over 110 countries. This entity is able to release audited quarterly and annual reports. If Romney cannot manage his personal finances, why should we trust him to manage the finances of the United States?
Listen...In all seriousness, you can't run for a public office in the US and have a Swiss Bank Account..period. It is simply tacky, in poor taste, and frankly embarrassing..it really is embarrassing...The President uses off shore accounts for his personal money??? He'll never be elected folks..
I did meet a person during a sports fish tournament in the Bahamas a few years back that had a Swiss bank account...he made the money during the 80's bringing "product" into the US so I heard.....these are the type of folks that use Swiss bank accounts people...OK?
You only park your money in Switzerland for one reason, and one reason only..to hide it..that's it..if you need your money parked in Switzerland, you are up to no good..I guarantee it..there's no reason to pay for a Swiss account unless you really don't want the IRS to know about it...Still completely embarrassed for Mr. Romney