YOUR TURN: Was Romney Right About the 47 Percent?
Mother Jones released a video of Mitt Romney telling a private audience that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. Was this a ruinous gaffe, or has Romney told a hard political truth?
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A secret video obtained by Mother Jones magazine has rocked the political world. In the video, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said 47 percent of Americans believe they are victims, are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. He went further, saying he wasn't worried about them. The magazine released a portion of the video Monday.
In a late night press conference Monday, Romney said the comments were not "elegantly stated," but were part of a larger conversation about the role of personal responsibility. Romney went on to say the comments were a reflection on "the political process of winning an election, and, of course, I want to help all Americans—all Americans—have a bright and prosperous future."
Mother Jones posted the full video just after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Do you think the video shows Romney's true feelings about half of the American electorate, or was this an out-of-context snippet? Will this hurt Romney's chances of willing the election, or is it one blip in a very long campaign? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Good Year
12:08 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
He is absolutely correct. Those who are dependent on the goverment will continue to vote for liberal democrats. Once you are addicted, there is no turning back. Once the dependents outnumber the taxpayers, we become Europe. I believe that is the goal of the democrat party.
Portent
10:52 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
OK, so I guess that means Romney will secretly vote for Obama, since his financial success has been dependent on so many services provided by the Federal Government. So I guess the new Sakonnet Bridge was built entirely, or even substantially, with private funds? Ummm!
Now what exactly is wrong with most of Europe? That most nations there exceed the US performance in health care, infant mortality, education, quality of life, etc.? Have you ever even been to Europe, other than via Fox News or on a group tour that kept you safely away from mingling with the natives and comfortably ensconced in the grand bubble of your ignorant preconceptions? Oh, and I like the way you feel compelled to deploy the term 'democrat party' in lock-step with right-wing dogma that cannot bear to utter a word lest it puncture their self-satisfied illusions.
SRHBlack
12:12 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Romney has basically stated that anyone that does not support him is self characterized as a victim. Additionally, if you don't support him you don't pay taxes. This appears to be what he actually thinks. He is dead wrong and is willing to write off what he sees as half the country to make a point. This is not someone you want in the Big Boy Chair.
ctt
12:47 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Romney and the rebubs just dont care about the middle and lower classes. If you dont make in the high 6 and 7 digits then your a leach. The rebubs dont want you to know the facts but here they are; The 47% is split up like this 28.3% pay payroll taxes, 10.3% are elderly, 6.9% are non-elderly whos income is lower than $20,000 and 1% are the "other" that he says are "intitled". Take the Romney republican spin off and its not as eye opening as they have you believe. So good year and the rest of the right wing extremist do a little research before you take everything the repubs throw out there to be true. But Romney is hoping you dont find the facts out, he hopes you keep drinking his extremist kool ade.
Good Year
2:51 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Payroll taxes are completely different from income tax. Hopefully, the money you put in, you will get back when you collect social security. Between income, property, sales, payroll taxes and fee's, the average person who WORKS, pays nearly half their income to the government. What the left wing extremists don't understand is that having only half the population contribute is unsustainable which is why our national debt continues to increase to crisis levels.
OldTownie
3:13 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Income tax is part of your payroll tax.