Mitt Romney has responded at length to the furor over his comments at a fundraiser about the 47 percent of Americans who pay no federal income tax and see themselves as "victims." "My job is not to worry about those people," Romney said in the video.
The comments were "not elegantly stated," and were spoken "off the cuff," Romney acknowledged Monday night in a hastily convened press availability with reporters. But he also doubled down on the outlook he espoused in the video, charging that "the president's approach is attractive to people who are not paying taxes."
The comments from the fundraiser were recorded surreptitiously, and obtained by David Corn of the liberal magazine Mother Jones. Corn appeared Monday night on Hardball and The Rachel Maddow Show, where he revealed further details about the video.
Here are Romney's extended comments about the controversy tonight, footage of which was broadcast on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell (you can watch them above):
I'm talking about the political process of drawing people into my campaign. Of course, individuals are going to take more responsibility for their life. My campaign is about helping people take responsibility, and becoming employed again, particularly those that done have work. This whole campaign is focused on getting people jobs again, putting people back to work. This is ultimately a question about direction for the country. Do you believe in a government-centered society, that provides more and more benefits? Or do you believe instead in a free enterprise society where people are able how to pursue their dreams? I believe the latter will help more people get good jobs. This is a campaign, fundamentally, about to help the middle class in America, and how to bring people out of poverty into the middle class. And we've seen the results of the last three, four years, and it has not worked. My approach will get 12 million new jobs and rising take-home pay.
Asked again about the comments, and whether he was giving a different message to funders than to ordinary voters, Romney replied:
It was not elegantly stated, let me put it that way. I was speaking off the cuff, in response to a question, and I'm sure I could state it more clearly and in a more effective way than I did in a setting like that. And so I'm sure I'll point that out as time goes on. But we don't even have the question given the snippet there, or the full response. And I hope the person who has the video will put out the full material. But it's a message which I'm gonna carry, which is, look, the president's approach is attractive to people who are not paying taxes, because frankly my discussion about lowering taxes isn't as attractive to them, and therefore I'm not likely to draw them into my campaign as effectively as those who are in the middle. This is really a discussion about the political process of winning an election. And of course I want to help all Americans, all Americans have a bright and prosperous future. And I'm convinced that the president's approach has not done that.
...
This is the same message that I give to people, which is that we have a very different approach, the president and I, between a government-dominated society and a society driven by free people pursuing their dreams.
"I think what we just saw was part one of Mitt Romney's concession speech of defeat in this campaign," said O'Donnell. "And we will see the rest on election night."
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"not elegantly stated"? Meaning....you meant what you said, you just wish you'd said it in some way that didn't offend.
Do you suppose it's really possible to dismiss 47% of the population and not offend them?
I don't know how anything intelligible comes out of his mouth with his big foot stuck in there! He doesn't worry about anybody but Mitt.
This just confirms what I've sensed all along. With the "...you people comments," and the arrogant refusal to reveal his tax returns. With the "Corporations are people, my friends," smirk, and his pride in Vulture Capitalism. With his pension destroying, job offshoring business record. With his history of pinning kids on the floor and cutting their hair, moving to Paris to avoid the war in Vietnam, lying about job creation. With his bold faced lies about the president and his record, being born on third base and claiming to have hit a triple, constant flip-flopping, cookie questioning, dog on the roof of the car, say anything to get elected, the ends justify the means politics... It becomes perfectly clear. Mint Rawmoney lacks empathy! It's not his fault. He was born into it. He suffers from AFFLUENZA! In Mint's case, he's not a very nice fellow, and he's still NOT UP TO THE JOB!
Very well said Rex.....
According to Rachel Maddox last night, there will be more and more of the parts of this tape released this week. Hurt Much? If you can't wake them up with this what will it take.
Romney can only make empty promises. We all know that Obama will do the best he can for the American people and wants to do the best he can.
We don't even know if willard can do a darn thing, and mostly we don't believe he will try very hard. Too much hard work for him and he reall doesn't care for the American people, but the 2%. And those he can fool.
What more needs to be said? He's a pandering liar who only cares about those close to him--financially & otherwise.
soooo.... does this explanation excuse you the fact that you don't care about 47% of the people of this country.. the poor, elderly, sick "freeloaders" ?
I am one of those worthless free loaders too that pays federal, state, and local taxes. I did 20 years in the military and served during six different conflicts seeing combat in the Persian Gulf war. Maybe the 1st Infantry Division was imaginary but the Commander sure wasn't at 3:00 AM before a road convoy. I guess I am just a "worthless socialist" who never paid any taxes in my life as a free loader. Funny though why I got a special assessment for my house worth almost $2,000 on top of my property taxes in the mail the other day. The tax man did not seem to think I or my house were very "imaginary". Maybe the one percent will pay for that too so I can continue to be a "free loader". But then again maybe I or my wife will have to continue to work to pay all these "imaginary" federal, state, and local taxes because I don't think that property tax liens are very "imaginary" or the sheriff's deputy who delivers them or the judge in court who issues them are very "imaginary" either.
All the other 150 million Americans in the lower median income group pay "imaginary" federal, state, and local taxes too, just like I do. With all the "free loading" going on be damned if I don't see everyone going to work everyday to pay "imaginary" taxes just like I do. I must live in an "imaginary" world according to the GOP. Where would all of us be without the one percent paying for all of our "imaginary" taxes? God we all must be "free loading" some more except for those 40 hour work weeks and hours spent commuting every week to our "imaginary" places of work. Some people even work full time and go to school at night plus raise kids. But this work is all "imaginary" because we are all "free loaders" according to the GOP.
Mitts like the Marquis Evremonde in Charles Dickens, "The Tail of Two Cities." Remember, this arrogant Marqius travelling too fast in his coach down the streets of Paris and runs over a poor little girl and crushes the life out of her. Her father in total dismay and horror clutches onto the lifeless body of his deloved little beauty. Their eyes meet as the father looks up at the Marquis, after a slight pause, the Marquis throws two coins on the ground and walks off. This is the kind of SOB that Mitt Romney is only he probably would not have even threw coins.
Correction, "The Tale of two Cities." I must been thinking about the pointed thing coming out of Mitts arse, that matches well with his horns and pitchfork.
Rex...and all of that makes you special why? There are lots of people who do all of that AND pay federal income tax...
just saying...
@Stormguy - read the first line of Rex's post again - he also does "all of that," AND pays federal income tax -- just sayin'.
WELL WELL WELL...Mittens has gone and done it again....hammered another nail in his morbid COFFIN!!!!
why worry if it was"off the cuff", just speak truth. We have no control, we the ppl. If you get in office Lord help us all. I'm not advocating anyone. Just have a great fear if you're the president. I pray for theocratic rule. Do you remember "Let your Kingdom come." Not Romney's.
So what if it was "off the cuff." Speak the truth. We, the people don't have freedom any more anyway. And Lord I fear if you get in office. I'm not advocating anyone. I pray for theocratic rule. Do you remember, "Let your Kingdom come." Not Romney's.
I can't believe that a candidate who wants to represent the US as our President has no regard for almost half the population...and what's even more humorous is that some of the conservatives he panders to, perhaps more than he knows, are on the public dole...I live in the South...a true Republican hotbed of old folks on social security, people on disability, and the uneducated that Santorum refers to who are on welfare or get unemployment. Would love to see those stats!!
Healthcare- You are making a painfully obvious point. These same folk that you refer to also will not be polled, probably, prior to the election. It could be that this video, taken by someone who was invited into that room, could make the election a whole different ball game. It might even give Obama a true "mandate" on his agenda.
I am thinking the Obama campaign can just about deep six Romney/Ryan with a good debate performance. Romney's campaign right now is all but a walking corpse just waiting to keel over and croak for final burial. I bet you President Obama's campaign researchers and speech writers will have plenty of Romney material to work with tomorrow and in the days ahead! President Obama can maybe then use this valuable time to try and take back those 25 seats we Democrats need in the House. Its doable folks, especially after Romney's statements today. Citizen's United might actually be a blessing in disguise. Because most Americans will see the GOP for what it is: the party of the corporate one percent who looks down contemptuously on all of us working class and middle class "socialist free loaders" who never pay taxes. This election can be turned into a landslide if President Obama plays his cards right. Can you say "Speaker Pelosi?" I am starting to also see a strong majority in the Senate too. If we work hard and stay focused and send in those contributions good things can happen for Democrats come November.
Rex, I sure hope you're right!
Gosh.....for a non-taxpayer, what were those two envelopes I put in the mail yesterday? One was EST taxes for the IRS and the other for Minnesota Revenue EST taxes. Over $5,000.00 in those envelopes. Hmmmmm. A free ride? And of course this was only ONE quarter. What a total @!$%#!
I have a problem with this statement that 47% of people don't pay taxes. This is factually incorrect. I believe he's talking about the surprisingly high percentage of people who do not pay INCOME tax. But, before you roll your eyes, remember that, although we generally think of the taxes that are taken out of our paycheck as our income tax, that is not actually the case. The INCOME tax is only one of several PAYROLL taxes that come out of your check. Most of those people not paying INCOME tax are still paying other PAYROLL taxes. Even those that don't (perhaps because they're unemployed) are still paying SALES tax when they spend whatever money they do have. EVERYONE pays taxes all over the place. On the other hand, it seems odd to me that the man who takes such pride in not paying a penny more in taxes than he has to is criticizing the working class for a tax break they get for being poor. These people aren't skipping out on taxes that they're supposed to pay. Not like they have tax shelters in the Cayman Islands or anything.
Nice to see some common sense for a change. Thank you!
those other taxes you are claiming that do get paid by the 47% do not go to the federal government they go to state and local government and to fund socail security and medicare
So Romney is correct that 47% of America is so called getting a free ride because they pay nothing into what runs the federal government. Its bad enough that they don't pat anything to the federal government they are actually putting a drain on the taxes with the earned income credit
the 53% of america that does support the federal governmet ae getting sick and tired of supporting the other 47% free ride
The 47% includes working people who have income taxes taken out as well. They get them back when they file. All the rest stay with the government. Now, Romney may a sweeping statement saying that 47% of the people are paying NO taxes, including the working poor. He was implying that the whole 47% were not working and were only trying to figure ways to get government handouts. NOT TRUE. The jobs statistics, including unemployment, say otherwise.
I guess we could force the people who don't pay federal taxes to pay them. They could just go without unnecessary luxuries. Like food.
Romney's statement did not imply anything...it flat out said...47% of the people in this country do not pay income taxes. That is a fact. If it is taken out of your check and then you get it back in the form of a refund, that does not mean you paid income tax, regardless of how the Democrats try to spin it.
just saying...
People on unemployment pay taxes. It can be withheld or pay at the end of the year. But yhey pay. And you can bet, If Romney is elected, The 47% will be paying federal income taxes, while more of the top 2% are paying less.
once again...lets make this clear for all the Democrats so there is no misunderstanding...47% of the people in this country have a ZERO liability on Federal INCOME tax...the money that goes to fund our federal government. That means that when it is all said and done...they either pay a net of ZERO money to the federal government for income taxes or in a lot of cases, they actually get more money back than they paid in.
That is a fact...like it or not...it is a fact...
just saying...
Larry74 we have what is called the EIC and if you have a child you get the child EIC. For example when I was still able to work last year I paid in 4100 out of my check in fed income tax. With the child EIC i got back 5100. Its nice to get back more than I paid in but that means the government paid out more than it took in. Fact of the matter is the well is going to run dry eventualy and thats when the chit will hit the fan. Social security medicare and everything will run out of money its just a matter of when. My prediction is when the tables turn and we have 52% not paying taxes and 48% paying them is when we will be screwed.
Stormguy - He said paid no taxes , period. That is the lie as has been pointed out. The thinking is not just Federal income tax, but not taxes, be it excise, value added, state income tax, gas taxes, whatever kind of tax. That was his implication.
And several major corporation paid NO taxes and even got tax rebates. Make $billions in profits, pay no taxes and still get money from the Gov't. Sound fair?
make up your mind Larry, you cant have it both ways...
just saying...
Just thinking, what if he wins the elaction after everything that he, & ryan, & so many of the GOP politicians & party have said already. It's clear that he couldn't do this om personal merit but the combination of voter suppression & the influx of these billions of dollars could just do it.
It would make Florida in 2000 a tiny blip in the rise of the oligarchs. I can't really foresee that the Democrats would just roll over & accept that they are the losers; bad luck this time around, but we're good losers and will buckle down and cooperate with these people for 4 years. Nope, can't really see that.
This Mitt makes Nixon seem a thoroughly decent and principled politician.
Corporate Raider- in- Chief Willard Mitt Romney explains who and what he is. A country club 1 percenter who'd like nothing more than to scrape the snivelling masses from his golden heels. Not only does he wear "as little as possible" to bed, he wears the same in public!! This emperor needs to exit...stage RIGHT.
"We'll never have the smart people" -- Ricky Santorum
I wonder why not??!!!
To all those fighting back and forth, let me explain the real issue.
I worked for 42 years, never made more than 50,000 a year, taxes, ss, medicare were deducted from my paycheck every week. I NEVER got more than a pittance back after filing my income tax every year. Getting my Social Security and Medicare does not make me a deadbeat or a moocher!!!!!!!!!!
This is the important fact: MITT PAYS LESS IN TAXES THAN I DID!! We pay 15% and he pays 13% So we need to stop pushing each other around and start asking why Mitt wants Americans to hate each other so much and WHY HE NEEDS A TAX-CUT AND TO HELL WITH THE AVERAGE WORKING MAN AND WOMAN !
It sounded to me like Mitt's 47% was a reference to Democrats. There are plenty of republican voters who receive SocSec, Medicare, Medicaide, Federal pension benefits, etc, and it sounds like Romney completely disrespects them a responsible Americans.
Was the first time I heard Romney NOT sound phony.
Michael Smerconish had a guy call into his radio show this A.M. and they were talking about the 47%. The guy said he was on Social Security and Michael said that made him part of Mitt's 47%. The guy said, "Oh no, he doesn't mean US!" Denial is a wonderful thing. You get to live in a constant state of bliss.
Welfare, Teenage Pregnancy and Obesity at Epidemic Levels in Red States – Is this the GOP Blueprint for America?
Statistically speaking, the Red State vs Blue State comparison would be better called Black and White (no reference to race) – there is so much contrast. It is like two different countries actually. Red States dominate the charts when it comes to how much welfare they receive, how obese they are and their number of teenage pregnancies. The Blue States are the ones that end up paying the bill – whether this is in the form of public assistance or higher healthcare costs.
Do as we say, not as we do
In fact, the GOP has cleverly used many of these issues as attack points, trying to pin the reputation for these traits on the Democrats, Liberals and Blue States when in fact they are far more guilty than anyone else.
Facts from the Stats
________________________________________________________________
Welfare
Source / Design: Michael Pinto
You hear it almost every time a Republican presidential candidate speaks – the evils of welfare. They speak about how THEY are opposed to an Obama welfare state, where personal responsibility has given way to an addiction to handouts.
Red meat for Red states? Do you know what the irony of this position is? Red States are the ones that receive the lion’s share of welfare. To be more precise, they receive more from the system than they put in.
_______________________________________________________________
Teenage Pregnancy
The CDC report released Tuesday focused on state figures. The authors say the teen declines have been attributed to pregnancy prevention efforts. They note that a recent government survey showed more use of contraception by teens.
If you hear about your state legislature passing money-wasting laws in your state to promote abstinence education, ask them to explain the following stats.
State list with the rate per 1,000 teenage girls:
1. Mississippi – 55
2. New Mexico – 52.9
3. Arkansas – 52.5
4. Texas – 52.2
5. Oklahoma – 50.4
6. Louisiana – 47.7
7. Kentucky – 46.2
8. West Virginia – 44.8
9. Alabama – 43.6
10. Tennessee – 43.2
11. South Carolina – 42.5
12. Arizona 42.4
13. Georgia 41.4
14. Kansas 39.2
15. Wyoming 39
http://thecentristword.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/welfare-teenage-pregnancy-and-obesity-reach-epidemic-levels-in-red-states-is-this-the-gop-blueprint-for-america/
i do not think that he is serious, about being president he cannot be, or maybe something is wrong inside his head
I think the hosts last night did a great job, but they are missing the main point here with these comments by Romney:
By saying 47% he is saying HALF of the American people are leaches and useless, this includes our soldiers...veterans of active war(s), disabled by the thousands, police & firefighters injured while protecting our communities...he's calling them leaches.
Not to mention he's clearly saying a large chunk of the middle-class...hard working everyday people.
My point is simple...please bury him in this way, do NOT say things like, "this includes the poor & children"...we already know this...they know and admit they don't care about the poor & children. All the hosts danced around this clear & obvious attack last night and it was extremely frustrating. They did well, but failed to throw the knockout punch to guy clearly on the ropes.
My god...he's calling our soldiers leaches...the programs that benefit them...THROW THE PUNCH AND BE DONE WITH THIS FOOL.
I just noticed you posted another story about the poor. I'm on your side, obviously, but stop this for now! Interview some of these "victims" and leaches...go to vet hospitals and interview these kids lacking body parts they left overseas...PLEASE!
You need to pass this on to all your shows and hosts...your just re-stating their sentiment...yes, we all know they don't care about the poor. 47% includes the poor, but that won't sway knuckleheads that are still even considering this cult leader as our next president.
You're all too smart to miss this opportunity...pass this along and get it right.
P.S. Why aren't you occassionally calling this guy "Bishop Romney" hasn't he earned this as a cult leader in this racist and twisted cult??? Isn't it a fact he was (or is) a Bishop? He's as much a Gov as he is a Bishop...use it against him...and don't stop attacking the tax issue...we are at war(s) and he is sending his money off shore and hiding taxes, avoiding taxes, pulling money out of a country at WAR...soldiers don't have equipment because he wants to donate more to his cult as another tax break.
My god you people are missing the mark here....he's the easiest target out there...end this disaster.
Rogerover- I have a friend in NC who has a son, now 33, who had a brain aneurism at age 18. He is basically a vegetable, but every once in a while, it appears that there is a small spark of awareness. He and his wife have been caring for him at home since then. She quit her job to care for him full time, and he retired From Phillip morris early (2years ago). They had most of the equipment and medication the son required through Medicaid, but that still made things tight. They are a little better off now that he is receiving SS. She will start next year. These are the type of people Mitt Romney is lumping in his 47%, and he doesn't care about them.
Roger,
"bishop romney".
i love it. i'll use that from now on.
thank you very much!
P.S.i do believe that democrats are trying to NOT bring his religion into this. repubs have been so disrespectful to President Obama in regard to his religion and birth place.
even though many of us might think it fair game to drag mitt's religion into this (and I DO BELIEVE THAT), it could backfire and it makes democrats look like repubs, willing to use anything to win an election.
its best, i believe, if the high road is taken.
having said that however, i don't mind slumming it.
Ed I am so glad you are back...You were missed!!!!!! Thank you for all of your news contibution. You are the best and tack care of that back. You only got one. LOL
Nonetheless, Romney should have said "black folk" that is who he was referring to subliminally. At least 90% of that segment was about African Americans. I am an African American, I am employed, I pay alot of taxes and I own a business. Yet, I feel he was talking about me in that 47%.
Keep up the good reporting Ed...I am lovin you
Mitt Romney is simply living his Mormon faith. Mormons believe in a pre-existence. Babies are born into earthly families based on how good they were in the pre-existence. If you were good, you are born into a white, wealthy family in the United States. If you were bad you are born into a poor family. The church has a saying: "Poor people have poor ways." Poverty is the result of disobedience and sin against "Heavenly Father" in the pre-existence and in this life. Mitt Romney's faith sees poverty as "Heavenly Father's" punishment so to help poor people is to
contradict "Heavenly Father's" will.
I dare any of you to drive to the nearest DSS office and i want you to watch who is going there to get their Obama Bucks. they will be pulling up in their 40k cars as they are talking on there 300 dollar I phone walking in their 150 sneakers with enough gold hanging around their neck to rival fort knocks then i want you to follow them to the grocery store and watch their fat ass fill their kart with cookies chips soda steaks crab legs and lobster tails
I'm getting sick and tired of living less then they are while i support them
Have you personally seen this? With your own eyes? Followed them around and watched what "these people" spend their money on?
One wonders what you were doing in that office, as well.
Anyone who has waited in line behind someone with a EBT card has probably seen it. you don't have to look hard. also i work across the street from the DSS office so yes i see the ones collecting their Obama bucks come and go all day long
Wow. That's pretty insightful. "Anyone". So, not you. You work across the street. So you can tell from 50-100 feet away, and most likely not at street level, how much their cars cost, what kind of sneakers they're wearing, what kind of phone they have in their pocket, and what they're buying in stores.
I think the only thing you can see is your own bigotry.
And he also knows they're going there for no other reason. That office provides many duties. You're correct TRC. He's just another Obama hateing troll. He even claims he works. lol
I think he sees them because he's there picking up his welfare check.
Since Romney doesn't pay income taxes I guess he'll be voting for President Obama. Welcome to the 47% Mittens!
Actually Gregg...he paid more last year than you will probably make in your lifetime...
just saying...
And I paid twice the federal tax rate Mitt Romney did, and also happen to be in the 47% of the country who strongly support President Obama.
It's rich that a tax dodger like Mitt Romney ($100M stuffed into an IRA account, several tax haven shell companies, a $77K medical deduction taken for his wife on a horse - not to mention that Bain Capital was bailed out by taxpayer dollars) -- stands up there and without a hint of irony slams others over the use of government programs. What Romney should have been doing was giving a seminar in how to stuff your pockets with government money, which is what he's done for years - seriously, he would put the free-govt-money guy who used to wear the "question mark" suit to shame.
These remarks, and the upcoming laborious justifications of them that Romney will try to proffer, mark the beginning of the end of his sad campaign as it tailspins into a well-deserved, wide-margin defeat. Nobody can lead a nation without love and compassion for all citizens.
These heart-less comments came from the depths of his off-the-cuff real heart! With such obvious contempt for the common man and woman, how can he face them, even at his own rallies, with a straight face from now on?
His donors will now be throwing good money after the bad, of which they have plenty, all made of course without any help from anyone else, purely out of thin air. The facts will show that he and his ilk are the Mega Macho Alpha Moochers who eat jobs and digest companies to burp out obscene profits for themselves. It is apt and fitting that this fiasco unfolded in the house of a hedge-fund operator with a dubious history.
The rest of their doddering campaign will now become farcical and painfully funny, just you watch!
If a parson living under the poverty level which is 18k a year receives all the free bees the federal government offer them it will add up to be over 45K a year
so Tell me how is it right for me who earns 40k a year needs to support someone so they can receive 45k year worth of benefits
Romney only pays 14%. Sounds like a freeloader to me.
Yeah...over $3,000,000 a year to the government is freeloading...
If you dont like the tax structure, work to have it changed. Don;t blame him, he is following the rules established over decades of governmental bureaucracy
just saying...
No its not right unless its a combat vet who has a service connected disabilty are anybody with a 100% disabilty that keeps them from being physicaly able to work. We have 4th and 5th generations who live off of welfare who are able to work but can game the system.
Didn't Gov. Romney use the word "eloquently" instead of "elegantly"?
He might have meant eloquently, but he said elegantly.
As of today, Romney's only worthwhile use of time would be to start drafting a half-decent, human and heart-felt (if possible) concession speech.
A Story from the American Middle Class
I would like to tell you the story of my friend Sam. Sam was born in the 1920’s. Having lived through the Great Depression as a boy, he helped his parents as did his other 8 siblings to make ends meet. Sam learned to be frugal and practical from his experience; he saved money and never ever wasted.
Sam married his High School sweetheart; he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to fight in the Korea. When he returned, he had a son. To make sure he could care for his family he re-enlisted in to the United States Air-force and then was blessed with a Daughter. All was well and life was good for the new family. Sam worked hard, they struggled, but they were happy and life was promising. In the mid-60’s, Sam already in his 30’s was sent to Vietnam, where he “SERVED” his Country bravely.
While Sam was serving in Vietnam, some like Mitt Romney were receiving deferments, to do things like go on Mormon Missions in Paris, France. But not Sam, he was overseas serving the Country that he loved, leaving his family behind. Unfortunately, Sam did not make it back without consequence. He came back a Disable American Veteran.
For almost six months the military did not disclose what had happened to Sam, Sam’s wife, tried to find out…One day the Military Pastor took it into his own hands and told Sam’s wife he was in Wichita Falls, but will only be there for one day they are sending him to a hospital in California. Sam’s wife packed her two little children and went to Wichita Falls, by herself and she missed him, Sam had already been shipped out. Sam’s wife was devastated.
She never gave up on the love of her life, she packed those children up and she drove from Texas, to California all by herself and she found him.
Let me jump ahead a little to make my point. Sam was released on full retirement after quite a few years. Sam’s wife worked two jobs to make ends meet. She took care of Sam but Sam never gave up. He went to college on the GI BILL and became an accountant. He could now take care of his family and again the future looked promising. Because the United Stated Military and the United Stated Government; did their part.
Sam and his family had a wonderful life, but Vietnam eventually caught up with him and in his late 40’s could no longer work. His son in his last year of College, with bills piling up, Sam’s wife again worked two jobs to make the families dreams come true.
His Son finished College and went on to become an executive not at a Wall Street Brokerage but at the American Red Cross, Bio-Medical Services a NOT-FOR-PROFIT to give back for all that had been done for his father and his family. For this family that was SUCCESS. Sam’s Daughter went on to marry a County Firefighter. Sam has three Grandchildren he loves very much. This family made it Mr. Romney with the help of the US GOVERNMENT and they are thankful and not prideful….they are just hard-working Americans in the Middle Class.
Sam is now in his 80’s; he lives on Social Security and is with his son. His long-time sweetheart and wonderful wife long gone……IS THIS THE MAN AND THE AMERICAN FAMILY THAT MITT ROMNEY is referring too when he said this, “47 percent who are with him (President Obama), who are dependent upon government”?
Sam did his part and he served his Country bravely and proudly and yes he is supporting President Obama, but how dare Mitt Romney look down on Sam, Sam served his Country. What has Mitt Romney done so far but LIE to us and LOOK DOWN ON US with contempt. Who is he to look down on half of America?
You know what Mr. Romney this family has a good life, and they were not victims. But they did benefit from US GOVERNEMENT, Disability, Social Security, the GI BILL, VA Hospital, US Military…and they are good hard working Americans and Sam SERVED HIS COUTRY with his LIFE! Did you go to Vietnam Mitt?
No Mitt was refering to the hustlers of the system not our disabled vets. Thye are alot of people who game the system that are able to work but can keep having babies and live from cradle to the grave. See working people dont like to see able bodied people with a shopping cart full paying with food stamps while they are buying the cheap brands and doing with out some stuff.
He was refering to anybody that falls into that 47%. That includes our vetrans, disabled, etc. Mitt is a typical self-centered GOP rich guy. MOST TPers are self centered.
Yahoo and Larry, You two prove Romney's point. You are both part of that 47% that regardless of what he says or does will never vote for him. The Left continually uses the phrase or slogan "Fair Share", but you don't believe in it. The Left believes "Fair Share" means "Zero for some and All for others". There is truly a disparity in Federal Income Taxes, but it is not as the Left sees it, "the wealthy not paying enough", the disparity is that 53% pay the tax while 47% do not. As a member of the 53% that does pay Federal Income Tax, and I am far from wealthy, I honestly believe we should "All Pay Our Fair Share". That "Fair Share" may be a lower percentage for some and higher for others, but we should all pay to fund the US Government.
I doubt you two will ever even understand this position and Romney is pretty sure you will never embrace it or him. Romney apparently knows you and those like you well enough to know it is a waist of time trying to get your vote. Having been on ED's Site for some time now I have to side with Romney on this, you guys will never vote for him no matter what.
Yahoo, Embedded in your story of Sam is a Left-wing Tactic used frequently. Much like the initial debates on Abortion which focused on the extreme and infrequent case of pergnancy resulting from Rape and Incest, you frame your argumentin this case around the extreme "the Disabled Vet." A reasonable person would know Romney was not addressing people like San, yet this is the example you apply to Romney's comments. You made the conscious decision to taint the discussion by citing an example that if it actually applied would make Romney look like an "Evil Monster".
By the way from what you described of Sam's work history, with his Military Retirement, Social Security, and Survivor Benefits from his wife's Social Security Sam would have a pretty nice retirement income from 40K to 45K annually. That is right at the Median Income level today. Sam also gets annual cost of living increases for both his Military Retirement and Social Security. That said, Why shouldn't Sam pay his "Fair Share" of Federal Income Tax?