Everyone who is not living in solitary confinement is now aware of Mitt Romney’s secretly recorded comment that 47% of Americans pay no federal taxes and feel that they are victims and have an entitlement mentality. Most people are also aware of the onslaught of negative publicity that Romney’s comments engendered in the press, the kind of coverage that Obama might receive from the mainstream press had they caught him red-handed stealing food from an orphan. Note that I said “might.”
Romney Should Have Known Nothing Is Private
Romney made the comments to a small group of supporters as a way of pointing out the political difficulties that he faced as a candidate who is campaigning on lower taxes and free-market ideas. It is hardly earth-shattering to point out that people who don’t pay income taxes are not particularly concerned about tax rates if they are not paying them. There is not a candidate alive who would not be chagrined if all of his private comments were publicized. Candidates speak in short hand to their friends with less than normal concern about how their words can be interpreted. It’s tempting to speak in generalities in unguarded moments. Of course Romney should have known better. Nothing is private anymore; that’s probably why the Obama campaign practically strip searches for mobile phones or other recording devices when folks go to his fundraising events.
The Revelation Of Romney’s 47% Comment Was Unfortunate For A Couple Of Reasons:
He wrapped together free loaders and people who don’t want to work with people who can’t work. As his critics were quick to point out, the 47% includes those on Social Security, those who receive disability payments, and those who work but don’t make enough to reach the requirement to pay taxes. And some of these folks are Romney supporters. Incidentally, Republicans have been very supportive of taking more and more people off the tax roles, a misguided policy in my book. (A person should have to pay at least one dollar just to remind them that we are “all in this together” when it comes to things like defending our country.)
Romney critics also point out that folks that pay no income tax do pay other taxes, such as payroll taxes, state and local taxes, gasoline taxes, etc. All true. Mitt opened himself up to all of this “rich guy vs. poor people” stuff.
Social Security Is An Obligation
However, before his critics get too far into the stratosphere of indignation, a couple of things should be remembered. About 62% of those who pay no federal income tax pay payroll taxes, which, of course, fund Social Security. However, generally speaking, we get those taxes back in benefits, unlike the income tax. Social Security is a discrete obligation of the government to us. The exact amount of that obligation can legally be changed in the future but it’s an obligation none the less.
In fact, most families will get more back in Social Security benefits than they paid in. A retiree in 1960 received about seven-times more in benefits than he paid in. The differential is rapidly shrinking now (fewer workers, more retirees), but it’s still there for low-income workers and for married couples with one wage earner.
The point is that, although there is no “trust fund,” payroll taxes, at the end of the day, do not fund our national defense or other governmental functions. That is in no way to cast aspersion on Social Security recipients. They (we) are entitled to it. It’s just that folks who are paying income taxes are carrying the load, including any increased taxes necessary to shore up Social Security, which will run dry in 2033. Which brings us to a more important point.
Spending Ourselves Into Oblivion
Mitt missed an opportunity in this conversation to point out that goes to the heart of the most important problem our nation faces: We are going broke because we are spending ourselves into oblivion. Governments that have better debt to GDP ratios than the U.S. are failing all around us. European countries are trying to cut back, as is Canada. The U.S. almost stands alone in refusing to tighten its belt before disaster hits. Everyone else has acknowledged that a government can’t just increase taxes on the wealthy and save themselves. (Remember, for Obama, “wealthy” is a married couple making $125,000 each). If half the people are paying no income tax, and in many cases are receiving benefits from the government, politically, how can we ever reduce the spending or otherwise work our way out of this mess?
It simply makes it more difficult. And time is running out. Even our Federal Reserve can’t print enough money to avoid the inevitable.
This is the point I wish Mitt had made.
- Fred Thompson
Its a small group of people. What is said has caused America to consider where they sit in the whole equation of taxes. That’s the issue from this affair. The ones who have been exposed is those exactly who are on the dole to the government, and that’s the fruit extrapolated from Romney’s statement.
Once again the Republicans have selected the wrong man for the job. Everyone I have spoken with has the same things to say, “Well maybe soon he (Romney) will really start to hit hard and make his case!” I have been hearing this for months from worried conservatives. Hitting hard and making a case has yet to happen.
He has allowed this entire thing to get out of hand and has allowed the rich guy image to be stuck to his tail. Did anyone EVER call Jack Kennedy a rich guy or claim he was not in touch with the “people”…..Its unforgiveable and stupid.
How in the world did they ever think they could just run on Obama’s bad record and not have specific plans to propose of their own. They have failed to realize that they are running, not only against Obama, but against the power of the liberal media. Being a Good Guy doesn’t cut it with them. The only time we hear what should be said is when Paul Ryan is speaking.
This was their campaign to win and they dropped the ball.
Actually it is worse than you think.
Being retired Military and now turning 65 and draw the SS I paid in (for all the time Obama was fighting his way up the non-corporate ladder. Ms. Obama did have a corp job at one time didn’t she?) I still have a shortage of funds.
That is why I started my own business (eCommerace) and write tech manuals for my web site.
I am wondering why the Gov is giving out “food stamps” as a debit card. Watched a woman (over 170lbs easy) buy food that even I couldn’t afford with that card.
Talk about a need for reform and going back to doint it the ‘old way’ there is no shame to needing “food stamps” but there is shame in feeding a person that weighs more than I do at half my age!
And don’t fool yourself about a “National Sales Tax” I lived in countries that have a VAT (Value Added Tax) the socilist thrive on that money – one of the main reasons Britians Heath Care is in shambles, they use the VAT for other things now…
I’m not casting aspirsons on drivers when I say that there are a hell of lot of stupid drivers out there Neither am I casting aspirsons on Sociall securiuty recipients when I say that 25 to 30% of those collecting social security disability are no more disabled than Fred
Thompson 31 years as a volunteer in tax preparation for the low income and the elderly backs up that statement Romney said the right thing. It will get people to begin sorting out the fre loaders from the truly needy awhen they realize what it is costing. I have no problem providing food for the need. But if I’m paying for it, I set the menu
The one dollar tax.
Yes, that’s a great idea. A symbolic tax just to keep it in mind that we are all in this country together. But on the other end, what is the maximum value of being a U.S. Citizen? With all the talk about the percentage that Mitt Romney pays, I wish a few people would look at the actual dollar amounts. What he has put into this country makes a joke out of all those detractors that only talk of percentages. Being a citizen has a certain value, but it’s not unlimited as the potential of a citizen should be.
I agree with you, Bill. It was indeed an unfortunate situation that the mainstream media jumped on with both feet. However, I could fall within that 47% if I let myself since I, after years and years of working (sometimes two jobs at a time), am drawing Social Security. Most people with any degree of intelligence would know that Mitt was not including all of us that have worked and EARNED what we now receive. I don’t consider Social Security an entitlement…I paid for it! For that matter, I am still paying for it. But we can thank whoever picked the lock on the lock box when it does go broke. As for those to whom Mitt was referring, I couldn’t agree more with his comments. As, you stated, ignore the lamebrain media and rally around Romney.
Mitt oversimplified his statement by equating the 47% with pro-Obama voters. That is absolutely NOT true.
There are many in the 47% who will vote for Romney, just as there are a number of those in the 53% who will vote for Obama. Don’t ever think that all business and wealthy people are conservative.
I understand Romney’s point, but he needs to be more accurate and circumspect in his pronouncements.
I am prepared to vote Republican, once again, but I hope Romney starts talking about what will be done differently under his administration. Enough bashing Obama and tell us what will be different and, more importantly, how it will be done. That is what will convince people to give up on Obama.
If some of Mitt’s remarks are actually his personal beliefs, we are in deep Do-do regardless of this elections outcome! He is already talking compromise with the left on our monetary crisis – and isn’t that why we HAVE a monetary crisis? Could/would true Conservatives have spent like, not just a drunken Sailor, but the entire Navy, with the rest of our armed forces thrown in, on a 4 year bender?
When I was a young college student, I worked at Fort Chaffee, AR when we had 60,000 Cubans come in. Immigrants get “sponsored out” by a family who takes them in however, they don’t leave camp until a job is found for them. The problem was, these were mostly men in their 20′s and they all refused to work. They said in America you got welfare and that was heaven for them. Therefore, they would not go to English classes, get their immunizations, or lift a finger.They are all on our welfare system by choice. Conversely, 5 years earlier, the Vietnamese immigrants came to America through Ft Chaffee. These were very gracious people who never missed classes, immunization appts, and worked hard at camp to provide for themselves doing their own cooking in the mess halls and laundry. Attitude and work ethic make all the difference. I work hard every day, don’t make that much, share what I can with those in need, but I am tired of holding up the laziness of so many. They take away the resources we need for those who really do need it.
No matter what Mitt says, the media will twist it to be negative in some way. As I look at polls it seems 47% is a popular number of those who say they will vote for Obama.With Obama’s record as President one could conclude the only reason for those 47% is they want the freebies to continue.
Th4e media will twist anything Mitt says to suit their purposes. The polls indicate that 47% will vote for Obama. With his record as President the only conclusion is they like and want the entitlements to continue and be extended.So Mitt’s comments seem valid.
You should listen to the Howard Stern interviews that were on Facebook. These people had no clue but they were voting for Obama! They didn’t even know Osama bin Laden was dead! Idiots!
Mitt has got to get away from the ‘We Built This’ rally. It is fine for a meeting with private business people, but it doesn’t resonate. We are millionaires, but that line doesnt even resonate with us because we are just rabid savers that work for a fortune 500 company. How about, “Jobs, Peace & Freedom” as a catch-phrase? I like “Believe In America” for general use, but the felt need of a wide range of Americans is met by “Jobs – Peace – Freedom”.
fred i am a senior citizen and i did not think he was talking about seniors or people who cant find work or vets and people who are disable. but he should have clairified to people who cant seem to realize that.
When we produced most of what we needed and then exported more–we were a rich and prosperous nation until Industries began to leave the country and jobs were being outsourced. Americans were blined to the fact that jobs were being lost unemployment was growing while the poorer nations were being built up to equalize the merger into a one world government under a dictatorial rule.
Wwe already are thrown into a one world rule, all that is left is to eliminate the borders,
If all Americans – but especially unions and congress – ever fully understand that we are NOT entitled to a raise every year, we might make some headway on the debt.It goes without saying that employers – including government – must obtain more money SOMEWHERE to pay for these raises, hence the federal government debt.
This is why I was against raising the minimum wage some years ago. If a hamburger stand owner is forced to pay his employees more, he cannot just make up the difference out of his pocket. He must raise prices to do what the government mandates – therefore the minimum wage earner must use that “raise” to pay more for a hamburger.
In short, as Pogo famously said in as comic strip many years ago:
WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND IT IS US!!!!!!
Mitt could have, and should have…said it all more in true context, that’s for sure. The problem with anything political these days is that no one can figure out exactly what’s being said or if any of it is right or true. But, we all know one thing for sure; Obama and his crew are doing this country no favors and we have to get them out of our government so we can BEGIN to save our nation and freedom from all the rascals now running and ruining it. Voting them out is just the first step in that effort, and if we do not unite against what they have planned for us, we lose it all. Do you recognize our country anymore? I don’t, but it isn’t yet down for the count either. We can save it for our kids and grand kids, but we have to do more than bemoan all the short-fallings and mis-statements of our candidates. If we’re going to save anything we’ve got to get behind those we know that can help us achieve our main goal. Get Obama and that bunch of communist creeps out of OUR government and we’ll deal with the rest of what’s wrong from that point forward. If you don’t wish to be a socialist liberal, who wants nothing less than slavery to the system and a chosen few thugs to run everything, you’d better get lined up in support of Mitt and Paul. If you choose to complain or vote for some other 3rd party candidate that doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance and end up with another four or more years of Obama and his crowd then you choose to be a slave for a handout and you chance losing everything, including what this country was founded on and your liberty. We can’t gamble with this nation or our children’s futures that way. We step up and support our candidate and let him know we’re behind him. He knows we are not going to put up with anymore nonsense from our elected government, and he knows we want nothing less than the representative type government we are demanding. If he tries to give us something less, we’ll raise hell with him too, but for now…let’s get the bandits and thieves out of OUR government!
I THINK HE ONLY SAID WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK….
I am one of the 47% and I agree with him. However, I got there thru affirmative action reverse discrimination that cut short an engineering professional career and put me in minimum wage jobs. It is encouraging to hear Romney speaking the truth tho, a rarity among politicians, altho all I expect of him is a tuneup of an old gas guzzler rather than restoration of the constitutionally limited republic.
In the article it says payroll taxes do not fund national defense or other government programs.
But haven’t the feds been borrowing this money for years which makes for a lesser deficit on paper, but with a bunch of I.O.U.’s that we will have a hard time repaying?
And I believe it was the Democrats that voted out the “lock box” and allowed the payroll taxes to be borrowed to the general fund. That is why our real deficit is much bigger than the numbers on the news and why our country is starting to look more like countries in Europe and unfortunately more socialistic under this administration.