Some interesting numbers.

http://squashed.tumblr.com/post/31757816989/mitt-romney-thinks-you-need-to-take-responsibility-for

9/18/2012 7:01:27 PM

I hate to say it, but Mitt is almost a bigger trainwreck than Sarah Palin. And Santorum would have been an even bigger trainwreck than Mitt!

9/18/2012 7:08:55 PM

from NPR



So, basically, this breaks down the "28%" differently than I do. I believe the people getting benefits for children are getting special assistance beyond just the tax deductions you'd get just for having them.

And if you have kids, your deduction is way way more than without them. So I'd ascribe a WHOLE lot of the 23% slice to low-income families - which is a very different story that just low income individuals or households.

9/18/2012 7:50:45 PM

Obama is growing his lead and this poll was taken before the fundraiser leak:

Quote :

"The survey gives the president his highest job approval since March, at 50%, and shows him leading Mr. Romney among likely voters, 50% to 45%, with two weeks before the campaign hits a major landmark with the first candidates' debate."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443720204578004562877476102.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

9/18/2012 7:58:45 PM

There was some shitty polls today too. Gallup and Rasmussen were trending towards Romney.

9/18/2012 8:30:17 PM

What I still dont get about these graphs are they only counting workers? So people who are eligible to pay the income tax? If so then the number of people not paying income tax would be higher, to include those not working correct?

Which also explains the run to get on disablity. You can argue that most of these services are up bc of the poor poor economy. But you cant explain away the rapid increase in those who are disabled. (non-military)

9/18/2012 8:36:14 PM

It doesn't matter whether the average person agrees or disagrees with Romney's statement. As a presidential candidate you do not show disdain for 47% of the country, it's not good politics...

It's fair to say that some of Mitt Romney's supporters are a part of the 47% who don't pay federal income taxes, the folks he doesn't care about. Some of these people surely know who they are and they will probably vote for Obama now or not vote at all.

9/18/2012 9:15:12 PM

^I disagree. He is talking about his campaign and how to win the election, not how he will govern. Read or watch the whole thing, he is clearly talking about where to get the votes.

9/18/2012 9:22:31 PM

Finally saw the video of the comments in question on the news today. I can only imagine how excited the person was while they sat on that video for 4 months waiting for the right time to release it, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning when the day came to finally release the video.

9/18/2012 9:25:32 PM

^^In the process of explaining how to get votes, he clearly expressed disdain for half the country. It was extraordinarily insulting, and it didn't even describe a logical plan for getting votes.

^^^^In a bad economy when people are having trouble finding work, why wouldn't they pursue disability for themselves and their children?

9/18/2012 9:26:57 PM

yeah, other candidates would NEVER speak disdainfully about a large segment of the population. They'd never say things like "cling to guns and religion" or anything like that. and the press wouldn't give them a free pass on it

9/18/2012 9:29:59 PM

^^lie vs work is your suggestion? And you wonder why so many agree with Romney on this.

He is basically admitting there is nothing he can do to appeal to those people. Instead he needs to spend his resources on the 5 to 10% of indys that might change and vote for him.

Hell he even says our message about tax cuts doesnt appeal to them, bc they dont pay taxes. I agree. He is clearly talking about his campaign. Look at the Obama Julia video, they promote the very idea that Romney is talking about.

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:33 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:34 PM. Reason : ..]

9/18/2012 9:33:10 PM

"You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it -- that that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. ... These are people who pay no income tax. ... My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

9/18/2012 9:35:16 PM

^^,^^^The problem is Romney is writing-off half the country and he specifically identified them as people who don't pay taxes. Imagine the Romney supporters who don't pay federal income taxes and these people can clearly identify themselves. Should they feel excited about him?

Look at the states these non-payers live in:



Obama never said he wouldn't help those "clinging to their guns and religion" and it's a very vague statement which doesn't specifically call out anyone.

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:38 PM. Reason : ...]

9/18/2012 9:35:25 PM

Looks like the same states that don't pay taxes may be the same states where the people are clinging to guns and religion. No one cares about those states.

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:40 PM. Reason : -]

9/18/2012 9:39:52 PM

^^ and that's different from Democrats who insult anyone and everyone with an inkling of Christian belief? Stop being such a hack and see that both sides are just as shitty about not giving a fuck about 50% of the nation

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:41 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2012 9:40:59 PM

LOL GENERALIZATIONS

also, has there been a recent Romney misstep that eyedrb hasn't tried to argue for?

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 9:49 PM. Reason : dude fucked up. own it.]

9/18/2012 9:45:23 PM

^^I posted the quote. Now you are free to point out where Obama (or a Democrat) said he/she doesn't care about half the nation.

"Hack."

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 10:13 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2012 9:47:03 PM

God I love Romney.

I've wanted to say this to those goddamn people for so long.

9/18/2012 9:53:30 PM

why don't you then? pussy

9/18/2012 9:58:38 PM

Suppose I do? I don't exactly have the public stage that he does.

Idiot.

9/18/2012 10:00:45 PM

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_upload

there you go you little bitch.

9/18/2012 10:02:05 PM

Super cool! Thanks!

9/18/2012 10:11:58 PM

I think the blind devotion to this man and his abortion of a campaign is what frightens me the most

Dude is royally fucking up left and right, and motherfuckers are too partisan and pathetic to criticize him and his idiotic moves.

9/18/2012 10:13:07 PM

^Yes! The fact that Obama isn't polling to win in a landslide is startling.

9/18/2012 10:15:36 PM

probably because he's done nothing but piss off his base for the past four years.

9/18/2012 10:26:04 PM

If no one is poor then how do I know I'm rich?

9/18/2012 10:29:26 PM

I'm personally just happy to see the gloves come up.

Republicans should stop pretending to be charitable or compassionate.

I am neither and make no attempt to appear to be.

Good for Romney not being a pandering piece of shit (well, except to his donors).

Better than unfulfilled "dreams" courtesy of Obama.

9/18/2012 10:29:42 PM

I don't want this to come off as negative or mean spirited at all but are you not Native American?

You most likely wouldn't exist without government compassion.

Compassion is how my relatives entered the country. I see no need to attack compassion.

9/18/2012 10:32:57 PM

Government compassion for Native Americans ey?

Tell me more.

9/18/2012 10:34:17 PM

it was really sweet of the us Gov't to give Indians small pox blankets, steal their land, and give them plots to set up casinos and trailer parks to make up for it

9/18/2012 10:40:32 PM

I'd assume if the goverment continued its destruction mode ala Jackson the population would be minimal.

So I guess lack of compassion in the 1800's was really great for everyone.

9/18/2012 10:44:56 PM

hack(s)

9/18/2012 11:01:09 PM

http://squashed.tumblr.com/post/31757816989/mitt-romney-thinks-you-need-to-take-responsibility-for

This article is a fucking joke.

Maybe the personal responsibility Romney is referring to is NOT HAVING KIDS YOU CANT AFFORD.

9/18/2012 11:13:29 PM

Quote :

"has there been a recent Romney misstep? "

fixed that for you

Looking at the electoral map he is a long shot, but the polls are tightening. Despite all your "missteps".

9/18/2012 11:13:31 PM

I blame the catholic church for the kid problem.

9/18/2012 11:14:57 PM

^^^ that's only <23%, not 47%.

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 11:15 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2012 11:15:38 PM

^^^

so you honestly believe he should have no regrets about anything he's said while campaigning?

you think he's run a flawless campaign?

9/18/2012 11:23:16 PM

nice quote bridget. LOL

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it -- that that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. ... These are people who pay no income tax. ... My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

Where did you get that from the Huff? Piecing it together and then leaving off the actual part where it is plain as day he is talking about the campaign and VOTES. Not governing.

Here is the full quote:

"Well, there are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right? There are 47% who are with him. Who are dependent upon government, who believe that-- that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they're entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you name it. But that's-- it's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.

And-- and-- I mean the president starts off with 48%, 49%, 40-- or he-- he starts off with a huge number. These are people who pay no income tax. 47% of Americans pay no income taxes. So our message of low taxes doesn't connect. And he'll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean that's what they sell every-- every four years.

And-- and so my job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for for their lives. What I have to do is convince the 5% to 10% in the center that are independents, that are thoughtful, that look at voting one way or the other depending upon in some cases emotion. Whether they like the guy or not. What they-- what it looks like. I mean the-- it's the-- the-- when you ask those people-- we do all these polls. I find it amazing. We poll all these people, see where you stand in the polls. About 45% of the people will vote for the Republican and 48% or 49%--"

I love how all the libs are just stopping at the responsibility line. Typical to feed the drones.

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/18/13943563-full-video-and-transcript-of-leaked-romney-fundraiser-remarks?lite

There is the entire transcipt for the whole april fundraiser.

This part about Medicare and SS needs to be a focus. Although I understand why it cant bc the Dems will jump all over him, but people need to understand.

"it's extraordinary to think that tax rates-- someone calculated what would happen if we don't change Medicare or Social Security, the tax rate-- you know what the payroll tax is now? It's 15.3%. If we don't change those programs that tax rate will have to ultimately rise to 44%.

The payroll tax. Then there's the income tax on top, which the president wants to take to 40%. Then there's state tax in most states and-- sales tax and so forth. You end up having to take 100% of people's income. And yet the president, three and a half years in, won't talk about reforming Social Security or Medicare.

And when the Republicans do, it's the, "Oh, you're throwing Granny off the cliff." It's like, "You're killing the kids." The-- the biggest surprise that I have is that young people will vote for a Democrat. They look at this and say, "Holy cow. The only guys that are worried about the future of our country and our future are Republicans." But the-- the Democrats-- you know, they-- they talk about social issues, drawing the young people, and-- and they vote on that issue."

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 11:37 PM. Reason : .]

9/18/2012 11:31:41 PM

the more I read it, the more ridiculous it gets

9/18/2012 11:37:58 PM

^^ that's a lot of copy/pasting of grossly factually incorrect information.

You realize that voting doesn't breakdown the way romney thinks?

There are poor people that are independent voters and rich people.

It's not like all the poor people are liberals, then the independents in the middle, then the rich people on the right.

That's what you are implying.

Your post/bolded part doesn't in any way exonerate Romney (and was included in the first article i read about this issue anyway).

9/18/2012 11:46:22 PM

yeah, seriously, that extended quote isn't any better.

9/18/2012 11:47:46 PM

^^I agree with you. Is he overstating/simplifying? You bet. He is saying that Obama has a large built in block of people that will vote for him no matter what, and many of those are dependent on govt and like it. And there is nothing he can do to get those votes. Is it 47%? no, but he seems to go back and forth on if they are non tax payers or obama supporters. 47% is the correct number for non income tax payers.

What I am arguing is over the idea that is being pushed that he doesnt care about them. When that line is clearly about their votes and focusing resources for the election. Not governing. That is why they leave that line off commonly bc it shows he is talking about the election. He isnt going to govern focusing on 5 to 10% on indys in the middle.

9/18/2012 11:54:28 PM

eyedrb, if you'd like to discuss Medicare and SS, I'd love to hear your thoughts. But please don't make me read the "inelegant" bumbling of a man like Mitt Romney. Really, I've already read it, and I'm sure you agree that there is nothing of substance in those remarks...do you really want to discuss what "someone" (?) calculated or review the notion that government is going to take 100% of our incomes? And do you honestly believe those remarks somehow mitigate his statements about half the country?

And here's the deal: when a wealthy person exploits workers, pays himself an enormous salary, and aggressively utilizes tax loopholes and the like, we applaud him for his shrewd business skills. But when someone takes advantage of government assistance that is freely available, we wag our fingers and claim that he's what's wrong with this country.

Really, what did you think would happen? Did you think everybody would work two and three jobs (that don't even exist) so they could be closer to carrying "their share" of the tax burden? Of course, plenty of people do actually do that--they're largely invisible, and when they're not, it's cause they're taking crap for messing up an order or doing a shoddy job on the hedges. And, depending on whether or not they have children, they're still probably part of the 47 percent who don't pay federal income taxes.

But they can only do so much. You can't run a system that heavily favors wealthy Americans and then act like a baby when less affluent people aren't playing along exactly the way you want them to.

12 hours a day, 7 days a week, at minimum wage comes to $31,668 a year, and, of course, in order to actually get 12 hours a day, you have to work at multiple jobs...so you wouldn't get any health insurance or overtime pay or paid vacation or days to stay home with your kids when they're sick. And, according to Mitt Romney, the person who does this, the person who works 84 hours a week, is not taking personal responsibility for his life. He's playing the victim and waiting for government to take care of him, and he's an asshole for thinking he's entitled to food or healthcare. And he's not even going to get time off to vote...but apparently, he's in the tank for Obama.

[Edited on September 18, 2012 at 11:57 PM. Reason : ]

9/18/2012 11:57:11 PM

Oh come on Bridget

Poor people are poor because they're lazy and stupid. If they were smart, they'd work hard and be rich, just like Romney

9/19/2012 12:08:51 AM

Here is his response to the video.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/politics/2012/09/18/romney-sot-responds-to-fundraiser-video.cnn

Bridget it is pretty simple math that we cant afford our mandatory spending TODAY. These are set to explode both as the boomers go on these entitlements and as our debt explodes, as we borrow to pay for those and EVERYTHING else our federal govt does. He was pointing out that if nothing is done to SS and Medicare that the payroll tax would have to drastically increase, in this case to 44% to fullfill the govt promise. Which is obvious it cant. So that is why if they try to address it, they are throwing grandma off the cliff.

Quote :

"And here's the deal: when a wealthy person exploits workers, pays himself an enormous salary, and aggressively utilizes tax loopholes and the like, we applaud him for his shrewd business skills. But when someone takes advantage of government assistance that is freely available, we wag our fingers and claim that he's what's wrong with this country. "

Ok, here is the deal Bridget. And this paragraph will greatly illustrate our vastly difference of opinions. What you are completely ignoring is choice/liberty. The wealthy person cannot FORCE anyone to work for them. They both enter a mutually beneficial agreement, which either are free to leave at any time. (unless you have govt intervene, then you are stuck with them). Utilizes loop holes? So they obey the tax law. Those "loop holes" are put into the tax code by who? Politicians. Business owners cannot write and pass laws on their own. Only the govt has that power. You will no doubt whine that businesses buy politicians. True. Which is why one must LIMIT the power they have, not expand it. That will only drive more money into politics. There is a reason why BP doesnt give you money Bridget, bc you cant use your power to help their business. Now onto someone taking advantage of the government assistance. What is missing from this equation? choice. Do I have a choice in this matter? Can I choose to not give you money for food when you are blowing your own money on friviolous things? Nope, not when the govt gets involved. That doesnt mean you cant help people. In fact you can probably do so more efficently as you can choose who or which charities that do a good job to send money to. And more importantly NOT send money to those who do a terrible job.

Bridget, you have to run government with one set of rules that treats everyone the same. Let them do with their lives what they choose. When you start helping one group while hurting others you only build resentment towards eachother and breed a selfish culture of everyone has a right to what someone else has.

Now to your stunning example. Why would that person not be able to buy health insurance? This idea that you can only get it through your employer or govt is a problem the damn government started decades ago. You have taken that bait completly. Why could he not stay at home with a sick kid? DId you actually put in paid vacation in there? lol

^for many that is the case, for others it is terrible events. But certainly our decisions and actions have consequences. The more bad ones one makes, usually the worse off they will be.
[Edited on September 19, 2012 at 12:19 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on September 19, 2012 at 12:23 AM. Reason : .]

9/19/2012 12:16:35 AM

Hell a story was out today about Vince Young being broke. The kid signed a 26M contract and is broke. Was it Romney's taxes fault or did the kid just make some terrible decisions? Im sure it wasnt his fault though.

9/19/2012 12:26:17 AM

I hope to god you're not an actual doctor.

9/19/2012 12:30:34 AM

HOPE

Well that worked out about the same for you then.

I obviously wasnt an english major.

[Edited on September 19, 2012 at 12:43 AM. Reason : .]

9/19/2012 12:40:08 AM

^^^^
1. You do not need to repeat my name throughout your posts.
2. When did you come to expect total choice in how your taxes are collected and used? When has that ever been part of the deal?
3. I think it's selfish to be a dick about folks on food stamps, and you, you!, you actually think it's selfish to receive food stamps. I just...I don't even...
4. I never said that the person couldn't buy their own health insurance. I merely indicated that, because they have to work multiple part-time jobs in order to get a bunch of hours, they do not qualify for a lot of the things many other people get from work (like cheaper health insurance). And, of course, they can take days off to stay home with their sick kids, but they don't get paid...and people who actually work part-time know that taking a couple days off can and will get you fired if your boss is a jerk and an idiot.

To be clear...the fact that you are that sensitive, that you are that quick to call me out for "taking the bait" about health insurance, really demonstrates just how far out you are with your attitudes and your assumptions about other Americans. You think I've never bought my own health insurance? You think I'm that ignorant...I'm sitting around, going, "Oh, lordy, how'm I gonna get my sugar checked when I ain't got no job. Obama need to help me!" People aren't doing that.

Also, if you think my example is really that stunning, I suggest you go to Burger King at 3:00 am and ask the lady at the drive-thru how many jobs she works and how many kids she has. You should also give her your speech about choice/liberty...

[Edited on September 19, 2012 at 12:49 AM. Reason : ]

9/19/2012 12:45:13 AM