Romney’s Comments Spark Critical Debate
September 18, 2012 at 4:19 pm in News by Dustin Siggins 74 Comments
Yesterday, liberal magazine Mother Jones released a video of Mitt Romney talking about the nearly 50% of Americans who are dependent on the federal government for at least some of their income. Romney also talked about the 47% of Americans who pay no non-payroll income taxes. His conclusion in the video – which Mother Jones took secretly at a fundraiser several months ago – was that he was never going to win the votes of those people, since his message is about low taxes and decreasing government dependence.
As is typical when a non-liberal talks about the truth of dependency on government, the media has become apoplectic. Never mind that, as Tea Party Patriots national coordinator Jenny Beth Martin noted this morning, “this election poses a choice for voters: do you want a country dependent on government programs and handouts, or do you want a country with an economy that produces good jobs and returns America to a higher standard of living?”
This is indeed the major question of this election. Consider the following facts:
- In 2010, the average household received $19,316 in federal government handouts, and according to The Heritage Foundation, in 2010 the average person dependent on government received $32,748 in financial and non-financial assistance.
- Per person assistance since 1962 has gone from $7,314 to $32,748 in 2010, according to Heritage.
- 47% of working Americans don’t pay non-payroll income taxes, meaning they are largely – if not entirely – getting a free ride from wealthy Americans on things like the military, federal education, and border control
- According to the Tax Foundation in an October 2011 report, “The top 5 percent earned 31.7 percent of the nation’s adjusted gross income, but paid approximately 58.7 percent of federal individual income taxes.” Which means that when it comes to discussions of who is paying their “fair share,” upper earners are definitely not skimping even as they receive fewer benefits from their tax dollars as compared to lower-income earners.
The simple fact is that not-so-free government handouts were supposed to prevent the collapse of the economy. That failed. Then they were supposed to help us out of economic recession. That failed. Yet social programs continue to grow in cost and size – data calculated by Just Facts President Jim Agresti, show that 61% of federal spending was to social programs in 2010, and this has grown from approximately 22% of federal spending in 1959. As the cost of government health care continues to rise, especially as the President’s health care act begins to take full effect, this dependence on social programs will only grow.
As the nation approaches November, it has a stark choice: House, Senate, and other candidates who want to reform the tax code and unleash entrepreneurism through a smaller scope for the federal government, or candidates who want more confiscation of personal earnings and greater federal control of our lives. We at the Tea Party Patriots stand on the principles of constitutionally-limited government, free markets, and balanced budget; do you stand with us?
Romney is correct. A large percentage of our citizens get government assistance and they will not vote for a candidate that will end or reduce those benefits in place of putting them back to work with employment. For a large percentage of those people they refuse to work rather than “need” the help. Their “need” is self imposed due to their lack of work. Our nation is becoming a nation of citizens that want their government to provide their support. What they don’t realize is as more and more people get on government assistance there will be less to go around and fewer people who pay taxes to pay for their non productive status. For those that “trully need” the the help their circumstances will become even more dire.
Mr. Romney only stated facts. He was not being disparaging anyone. Other political candidates and pundents need to grow some (&@^^#) and speak the some times harsh TRUTH.
Maybe if Mitt wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, these freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job….??? Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace between Israel and Palestine……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens……..REALLY??
The jobs are going over seas faster throught the over regulation on businesses. It cost less to go throught the expense import process than it is to make things here and pay throught the nose on the over baring regulations they require now.
Amen
I think we need a lesson in Global Economics. Jobs are flying out of the United States not because of ” over regulation ” but because the American worker is paid a decent wage. Unlike the Chinese workers who labor long hours for a few dollars a day, America has a minimum wage (that many of you oppose). Many of the less skilled labor jobs that once were readily available in America have moved to other countries because of what has become known as “economies of scale”. Let me explain it this way. Everyone needs to have their clothes laundered. It takes many hours to wash, dry iron hang or fold clothing. If your time is worth 18.00 an hour, are you going to spend 5 hours doing laundry, or are you going to take it to the cleaners where you can get it done for you for 25.00 ? Your 5 hours are worth 90.00. It is more economical based on the value of your time to have your laundry done than it is to spend the time doing it yourself. In the same way, companies have to look at how much it costs them to make an item. If they can produce it cheaper outside the United States, then it is obviously in the company’s interests to do so. And it is not only the company that benefits from this “economy of scale”. Investors (including many pension plans) benefit when the profits of the company increase. Also, when a company can source parts for the products that they manufacture from outside the United States, and pay skilled American workers to assemble these parts, then American workers profit from having these higher paying high tech jobs. The only problem is that America is not the only country playing the global trade game. Every other industrialized nation, as well as a few developing nations are playing in the global markets. This is increasing competition around the world. America must find new ways to compete. We can’t expect the world to buy a product just because it is American made.
Just the fact of so many Americans receiving government handouts, is kicking the can
down the road!
get off the meds and join the big peoples world.
Mitt says what we all have been saying for years and he’s the bad guy???? We ALL know there are cheaters on welfare who don’t deserve it, thus stealing it from people who really do need it. They are using it to support their drug habits, alcohol habits, cigarette habits, supporting their baby daddys, paying for their baby daddy’s cars, etc. They lie and get 2 lieing witnesses to sign the paper work stating that the grandmother has 9 grandchildren living in her home to get lots of $$$$$$$ and lots of Food stamps and then they all split it. I had a neighbor that did that and I turned her in. I know several others who used it to support their family members, & their cigarette and marijuana habits. I turned them in too.I am so grateful to finally hear a politician acknowledge it and wants to put a stop to it. It would cut Billions off our taxes. Our Governor wants to drug test all welfare recipients yea!!!!!!
There are probably people like that, but do you really want to take food stamps and welfare away from people who actually need it because of anecdotal evidence of fraud?
I feel that Governor is correct in his statement about a percentage of Americans. My feelings are that a high percentage of Americans believe that the Government owes them a lot. Whether it is food stamps without working unemployment forever or just government aid whatever it might be
President Obama’s whole campaign is based giving to the middle class and taking from the wealthy. In the real world that does nothing to help the economy or create jobs. President Obama’s whole plan Idealism would go up in smoke with a 4% unemployment rate. All his government programs would not be needed.
I agree this country could use some truth!!
I agree to but does this get him votes. Does this get any of the 47% to change there mind. I hope it does
Perhaps, if Mitt wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, the freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job! Great strategy, send our jobs to China and then cut entitlement programs that help the unemployed families who suffer as a result, what a great guy he is!! Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace in Israel……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens……..REALLY??……..?
One of the main culprits for jobs going overseas is NAFTA.
There is no financial record of how Obama was able to pay his way in life. Obama has never had a job, he has never built a business, and besides not knowing how many states make up the United States, he also dosen’t know the first three things necessary to start a business. And the fact that he said,”There is no such thing as a successful American that started their business on their own. They all got a handout of some kind from the government” is absolute 100% proof that he knows zero about America. This entire country was built on the creativity, sweat, & savings of the American people and helping one another. I worked at $5.00 hr. for years to get my cleaning business going.
And lets not forget “ALL” the “FLAG BURNING” parties he and Michelle went to. Google it.
Don’t let the media sway you. They are liberals so they are always going to put a liberal spin om everything. And we all know the other word for liberal is “liar.” Keep educating people on the facts … you have a whole lot of facts right here. I just converted a Democrat to vote for Romney by feeding her the facts every chance I got and told her to Google them and see for herself. She finally was able to see the lies Obama and other liberal Democrats were feeding her. And just so you know … there are good and bad, Democrats and Republicans. I am a conservative Independent. I do not favor one party over another.
I am 100% with Laura, people who are for Obama need to do their research on him before they vote for him again. I worked hard to build my business too, no one handed me anything.
that be truth
I worked for decades as an Electrical Engineer, paying income and Social Security taxes.
I am now 75 and retired. My vested benefits from four major corporations were either zero or very little.I now subsist on Social Security using the excellent budget techniques I have mastered. I work with my mind, but can’t work with my back.I found that there are NO jobs available that will utilize my mind.
Romney in his statement, lumped me in with “Welfare Queens” who “don’t take responsibility for their lives.”
I resent that! I certainly won’t vote vote for Obama, but now I won’t vote for Romney.
He is NOT a populist conservative.
Oh come on, Mr.Goepfert, Romney was certainly not talking about good hard-working Americans on Social Security. I know from personal experience that many of us are going through tough economic times relating to employment age discrimination and bitter disappointments from previous employers. He was referring to able bodied people who will not look for work and expect the government to compensate them. They are the core of Obama’s support, and the doom of our country as we know it.
He is certainly not …. Gary Johnson – The sanest choice. Never thought I’d be saying that…
Perhaps, if Mitt wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, the freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job! Great strategy, send our jobs to China and then cut entitlement programs that help the unemployed families who suffer as a result, what a great guy he is!! Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace in Israel……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens……..REALLY??………..?
Richard: :YOU are the problem. Those and people just like you who are just spamming sites because you support a waste of air that got elected because of SKIN COLOR. Which, by the way, makes you and those like you a RACIST. He was never qualified for the job and he’s proved it over and over again. He prefers to play golf and go to Letterman interviews rather than do his job (because he CAN’T, having no idea what he’s supposed to do at all) and throwing his “power” around to scare people into doing what he wants. He is a disgrace to this country, and if you still support him, then move in with him and let HIM support YOU. After all, he’s wealthy too and I’m sure you support taking away his wealth to give it to others. He sure does.
Richard, what are you 10 years old or on meds? You obviously know nothing about how many people are costing tax payers approx. 60 billion dollars a year by lieing to get Welfare, free health care, and 20 billion in food stamps. You want to pay my share?
No, Romney is not a true conservative, I will agree with that.
I do not feel that he was lumping you into that category at all! We all know who he is talking about. Its not you my friend.
Stay focused and do not let the State Controlled Media trick you!
I agree vettelover. Not the best choice. Still has pretty solid American values. A definite plus against the socialist rhetoric. Media is in the tank. Not picking on you, Sir. You worked hard and paid into that Social Security.
Let me digress a little just to say, where are the rallies like 2010?
Jumping on board with the real posters sir. Romney was NOT talking about folks like you at all. He was talking about those who milk the system unfairly. Taking welfare for generations and refusing to work. I’ve heard it said many times with my own ears: “why should I get a job? I get more money for free from the government.”
Those are the folks he was talking about. Not folks who worked their butts off only to find that there is nothing left BUT SS at the end of it all. Not your fault.
I too have put in over 35 years in my profession as a precision machinist, who now finds
himself out of work, (because of an accident). But expect to be back in the work force
soon. Unemployment insurance is here helping me until I fully recuperate. What Mr. Romney was trying to make understood is that programs like Social Security have been blown out of proportion. What was originally meant solely as a retirement income has
become a twisted monster, with so many fingers in the pot it always has to be readjusted
every few years just to keep it from going broke. Not to mention a lot of those fingers
come from congress. Who basically have turned it into a TAX.
Sure Fred; If you worked for decades as an engineer and are a responsible person you would have saved tons of money.. If you did not save your money, that means you are not a conservative, but a fool.. My grandmother never made more than 6 dollars an hour.. She died at 86 in 2001 and had over 450,000 in total assets.. All accumillated by saving, investing in property, living a simple life. She never bought items that were not necessities.. She grew a garden.. She walked over a mile to church every day here health allowed. She had gone through the depression and knew that depending on others in tough times was not acceptable.. Every person who believes social security will take care of them in old age, is living in a pipe dream.. There is not “lock box”.. The system is broke.. The baby boomers have only begun to retire.. According to the US Gov Debt Clock, the per taxpayer liability to fund these programs is now over 1,000,000 dollars and going up quickly.. There are less people working now than when Obama too office and this number is also growing quickly. There are now more people going on SSI than are finding employment.. The whole program needs to be reworked.. The idea that wealthy people are recieving “entitlements” is unacceptable.. This is the very generation that refused to put the government under control, It is “we the people” who are responsible to keep the government in line.. Anyone over 50 years old, would have to have their head in the sand not to have known the system would go broke.. When I was in my 20′s in the 1970′s this was crystal clear.. Every body knew and knows the system is insolvent and becoming more insolvent everyday with millions of new younger people recieving “crazy” SSI..
Hello Mr. Goepfert,
I spent my whole life working in the medical field and taking care of patients in the home. Many of my patients needed the help of the government, they were your age, worked hard all thier lives and than found that what your were promised as a young man, did not come to pass. I do not consider them, or do most conservative consider them part of the 47%. I think you are getting caught up in the emotions of moment and the mainstream media slant. The patients that I care for, that fall iinto the 47% , are my patients recieivng welfare, food stamps, have the big screen tv, cell phone, yet would not be responsible for their personal care. Expected me to provide them with all the medical support, refused to follow doctors orders. By definitions, I am part of the 47% also, receive SS and medicare. Personally I would rather be taking care of myself, but the government will not allow it!. Wish I had a choice to have invested my own money and selected my health care provider. Also, this percentage game was taken out of context. Last election 52% of the polulation voted for Obama. Many of my friends who were well educated voted democratic, as they wanted “change”.Please think about your vote. Perhaps it is the lesser of 2 evil. Just remember that for everyone of us who does not vote, it is a vote for Obama. Also, look who controls this country, the fringe states, California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Penn, NV, NM and realize that these area are high polulation that recieve something they did not work for….. We need your vote to change the tide. As they sticks and stones will break my bones…..do not let this be one of those momments. You said, no one want to value your brain, use that information to inform you kids, grand kids, use it to educate. For those that think Romeny is disparaging against people, look around you at the takers, and the supports of OBAMA , they are those who want to continue to be taken care of. Hope this finds you well and God BLess.
We must remember that Romney is a Mormon and a 1%er. There is nothing wrong with either. There are other Mormon’s in governmend there are much of Congress is farily we to do.
The problem is that Romney sometimes gets angry and frustrated with how the media is focusing on Obama’s strengths (entitlement programs and social insurance programs) when the real issue, which is Romney’s strength, is the economy. He is mad at how the media continues to be his enemy and how many people, only exposed to the main stream media, continually repeat the Obama mantras.
In Romney’s mind it must sometimes feel like Obama has purchased a vast majority of his votes with taxpayer money (in the form of Welfare, Food Stamp, Medicaid, etc). This is not necessarily true. A greast many votes … but not all. Many he gets via the main stream media lap-dogs.
Romney’s speech reflects this reality. He can’t win those people if the main stream media is against him and they rely on entitlement programs Obama uses to bribe them. He can’t win them because many of them don’t feel the pain of high taxes.
Although I am a Libertarian in the GOP and I back the Fair Tax, I will vote for Romney beacuse another 4 years of Obama will only amount to creating a Chavez.
Well said sir.
I agree with Scott … very well said Gabe!!! And might I add that everyone who hears the media twist what Romney says and does, you ought to send them an e-mail and give them your spin. It may seem like beating a dead horse, but it does make a difference. For instance, channel 10 was reporting on what Romney said and decided to speak for the people without asking us what we thought. And of course they played the pitty party for the Obama “victims.” I sent an email to let them know that they should take a survey on these matters rarher than speak for people who actually dissagree with their opinion. Of course I am waiting for a response and probably won’t get one. But we need to stand up to them.
Laura:
Can I drug test you? You must have too much time on your hands. I think you’ve overdosed on Limbaugh and Hannity. It’s okay, fresh air and 2 weeks in a cabin in the woods with NO A.M. radio has returned many of us to sanity…..(if we just ask).
I am not sure what you are saying……. the main stream media is going to lead with anything negative they can find about Romeny, yet, has your newspaper reported what happen in Libyas, a terrorist attack? The NY Times had not 1 article about this attack on the embassy, the murdering of 4 fellow americans. Have you even heard how they were murdered, where they were found, that the “enemy” cut them up…..did unspeakable things to them.. before murdering them….. that the ambassador told the men “protecting” him that he was on a hit list, or the fact that 2 former marines, step up to try to protect him…. that neither clinton or abama thought that providing him protection over 911 was even a thougt! What we have hear is that Obama and Clinton sent a video to Pakistan denying their involvement. So the conservative media is telling us the trouth and we need to “take a walk”…. where have you been the last four years, watching game shows!
Its time to get over hurt feelings because you feel lumped in a group and now won’t vote for Romney. Everyone knows there is a problem with the welfare system. I’m sure if he knew your circumstances, he would understand. I believe he is talking about the people who make government handouts a permanent living. We had better get behind Romney or this country will never be the same. You may not agree with everything he says, but by God, he is certainly better than the alternative.
Perhaps, if Mitt wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, the freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job! Great strategy, send our jobs to China and then cut entitlement programs that help the unemployed families who suffer as a result, what a great guy he is!! Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace in Israel……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens………………REALLY?..?
You are a broken record. Its the only responce you have to all these statements. Its like a little kid saying, “I know you are but what am I”?
That is funny but so true! You should write for all those late night guys. Their material is the same night after night. Of course I stopped watching them years ago when they got on the liberal Whambulance.
Lower tax rates and smaller government is not the answer to creating jobs. We have a crisis in America, and quite possibly the world. The crisis of “innovation.”
We no longer create things, and what we do create is often to simply limit the burden of labor needed to extract and or create value (Loss of jobs). Cutting taxes used to work to create jobs, yes. That was when labor mattered. Big government and big spending has also worked to create jobs and a surplus in the past. That was when we created real value.
This issue here is not the one all the pundits will have you debate, the issue is that we have extracted a large number of our finite resources, technology has leveled the global playing field, and we create the same phone/car/computer every year to fuel this ‘fauxconomy’ of products and services we DO NOT NEED.
Welfare and tax rates – come on people. Don’t be pawns, lets start acknowledging the facts.
When did big government help the economy?
After the Great Depression.
@Roy “Lower tax rates and smaller government is not the answer to creating jobs. We have a crisis in America, and quite possibly the world. The crisis of ‘innovation.’” It is free-market capitalism that encourages entrepreneurial innovation so logically lower taxes w/ broader tax base and smaller government does create jobs. Look around you the scientific and technological innovations that have transformed human life for the better come from the private sector, which voluntarily coordinates the work efforts of an enormous numbers of people, not from government.
I can totally understand there are those who don’t agree with Romney on every issue however not voting for him or not voting at all is NOT the answer. It is obvious the next President of the United will be either Obama or Romney. To vote for someone else that really doesn’t stand a chance of being elected or to not
vote at all is just as good as voting for Obama. People need to understand this!
Whether we agree with everything Romney represents or not is really not what is important. When have you ever had a president that you agreed with 100%? That just doesn’t happen. What is important is that we agree on most or all of the most MAJOR issues. In this election more so than any other election in history I think it is most important that we elect a President that has a strong belief in America, it’s values and its constitution. A president that makes the welfare of all Americans and their future, a top priority. If Americans don’t wake up and face the facts and realize what the politicians have done and are continuing to do to OUR country we are going to find ourselves living in an America that we don’t even recognize. It is not too late for the American people to take control and demand that OUR America and its constitution be shown the respect it was shown in years past and certainly deserves in the future. We have allowed President Obama to disrespect our great nation over and over again. It certainly appears the American people have chosen to do nothing about it. I for one choose not to believe that! As much as each one of us would like to do something; in general, I think the American people just don’t know where to turn. PLEASE UNDER STAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ELECTION OVER AND ABOVE ANY OTHER IN OUR HISTORY. In this election we are not voting for the right to have an abortion or the right to carry guns; we are voting for AMERICA and the right to keep it as we have known it to be for our entire lives! What is at stake in this election is so much more than even the right to free speech. In this election we need to show that the American people are willing to fight and to STAND UP FOR AMERICA! THIS MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE TO DO SO! If we don’t show this great country respect by defending our rights and defending the constitution then how can we expect our politicians too? Come on Americans, stand up and take back what is rightfully ours, our country, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Perhaps, if Mitt wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, the freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job! Great strategy, send our jobs to China and then cut entitlement programs that help the unemployed families who suffer as a result, what a great guy he is!! Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace in Israel……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens………………………..REALLY?……….?
Amen Sandra!!!!! I wish I could send your comment to all my contacts!! You sound like Condoleeza Rice!!! If you missed her speach, I urge everyone to Google it!! Maybe she will run for President some day.
We have lost our state sovereignty, now the republicrats are tripping over themselves to sell us out to the plutocracy of international banksters.
Maybe if he wasn’t so busy shopping for factories in China to ship our jobs to, the freeloading 47% who can’t help themselves could get a job! Great strategy, send our jobs to China and then cut entitlement programs that help the unemployed families who suffer as a result, what a great guy he is!! Oh, and he has such a brilliant and promising strategy for peace in Israel……..just kick the can down the road and see what happens……..REALLY?? ……..WHAT DO YOU THING TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!?
THINK I MEANT
Richard, does your mommy know you are playing on the computer?
“Does your mother know you are playing on the computer?”, Laura, why would you say something like that to someone who disagrees with you? That just about sums the whole movement up for me and why I will never support the GOP. It’s because of the cruel and caustic comments of the supporters as much as anything their politicians threaten (like reversing the rest of the economy upwards to the 1 %, and the refusal to consider any other point of view. I won’t be back here, so you can say all the mean things you want, but it seems to me that with Americans like you in the world we really don’t need any more enemies.
Steve, Laura’s frustration is that this is the same dang reply posted over and over again, word for word. I’ve seen it at least 10 times on this thread.
At least we know he can use cut and paste.
Richard B Long – that behavior is simply obnoxious. Romney had a responsibility to his company to make it successful and he did that very well. As President he would have a responsibility to his country and would make it successful. Every business uses the rules of the day to determine their strategies. Romney cannot be crucified because he used the strategies necessary to make his business successful.
As for those that might not vote or vote for someone other than Romney, this is too important of an election to withhold your vote for one comment. Romney is not as conservative as I would like in many areas, but he absolutely will move this country in the right direction and not continuing down the wrong road to final tyranny and loss of freedom.
Dan-do you think Romney really cares about Americans? Do you realize that what Bush did was hand off defense contracts to his buddies. Who paid for these contracts? We did. I understand if you feel that government should be small, but how can you justify less taxes for the rich? Less taxes for things we don’t even have like capital gains? The point is, is that Romney’s platform is to promote job creation and his policy to achieve this is to cut taxes. However, from his very own use of strategy for a business, a business only seeks to gain more profit- and this means not caring about individual welfare. When we have corporate guys like him in office they rig the rules towards businesses BIG businesses who don’t care about your welfare. They care about profits. Who does Romney care about? What policy has he put forward to proof this, Romneycare aside.
And what has Obama done for America or Americans?? He was set up to take this country down….and down it’s headed if we don’t do something in November.
We have to quit comparing candidates to Bush and using Bush as their reason for doing things. He’s been out of the White House for 4 years now!!! And do you remember … Obama went on and on how unpatriotic and unAmerican it was for Bush to put Americans in debt and how Obama bragged that he was going to save America and cut the Debt in half by the 4th year in office but tippled it in the 1st year instead!?! Romney and Ryan have a list of wasteful Government spending (wasting our money). You should Google it … you will be outraged. Anywho … they want to do away with the wastefull spending thus not having to raise taxes. Obama will not even consider it. TRUE!!!!!
You seem to like Google a lot, so use it for more than just checking hyper-conservative sites. Everything you’ve posted here makes you sound like a pundit extraordinaire. You’re almost as bad as that Richard spambot.
You can’t really consider Obama’s first year too harshly considering the first year of a presidency is finishing out the last guys policies.
Obama also had a really partisan congress to deal with. A congress who decided that no-brainer votes like the debt ceiling had to be their opportunity to promote obstructionism instead of bipartisan compromise.
You promote these policies by spreading the half-truths and exaggerations I’ve seen here.
Jim, the fact you have to make excuses for Obama, means you should maybe reevaluate your thinking. The CBO indicates he has added $6T to the debt, over $1,000,000,000,000 this year alone. Government makes up 37% of the entire economy in terms of employment and federal spending is now 24% of GDP. America’s credit rating is being downgraded again, which means higher interest payments. I could go on…
Looking forward, Obama has proposed higher taxes in 2013. The increases in taxation proposed are disturbingly similar to those introduced in 1935–36, which produced a downturn in 1937.
To many people are distracted by Obama’s cheap flash and glitter. Look at the hard economics of it all. If he were running your US$15.09 trillion company, which you’re hoping to pass on to your children and grandchildren one day, would you keep him for another 4 years to give him a second chance? No sane person would put the largest debt creator in world history back into the oval office.
The point of my comment was to say a lot of negative things that happened in the past four weren’t a direct result of policies Obama proposed during the last presidential race. While there was a lot of policies he proposed that didn’t get implemented (Guantanamo for one), it seems a little harsh to judge him based on a financial collapse 20 years in the making and a congress of unprofessionalism.
If we were going to grab torch and pitchfork for Obama’s head, I’d think it would be based on his continuing reinterpretation of the 4th amendment.
The fact is that tax rates have gone down for us regular folk (thank you George Bush for those cuts in 2001, 2002 and 2003) but we have been in two wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. Those tax cuts, and the financing of these two wars account for almost half of the $20 trillion in debt we now have. Obama, even with Obama care is CURRENTLY spending less. Two wars cost a hell of a lot money.
On top of that, we had the mortgage/banking meltdown, because in 1999 new regs permitted banks to compete with investment firms and banks began trading securitized mortgages and derivatives they did not fully understand in what was basically a giant ponzi scheme of mortgage backed security derivatives. I did not help that Greenspan made money incredibly cheap. It all came to a halt. Money became impossible to borrow, people lost their homes and the country had a reality check and consumer spending went to zero and expansion stopped.
Yet people didn’t want more regulation of the financial industry. They amazingly wanted less, and blamed “big government” when it was “less” that got us there in the first place with provisions made by the repeal of sections of the Glass-Stegall Act and passing the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act. Look up these things and read about them.
Enter in the Tea Party who basically are just anti-regulation at the end of the day and blame this whole mess on the government. This basically gives the financial industry a get out of jail free pass.
While this is going on at the home front here, you have the governments in France, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China investing TRILLIONS of dollars into infrastructure and manufacturing to compete in the global markets. We don’t do that in the US because it’s socialism, communism and all kinds of isms. So you have huge companies like EADS/Airbus, Kia, Hyundia, Daewoo, Baosteel, Sinopec just to name a few, that now take away jobs and consumer dollars from the US creating trade deficits and further weakening the dollar.
Compound this with our dogged pursuit of Reaganomic supply side economics, which says government, should not support or get entangled with business in any way shape or form and that taxes are evil and you may have a problem. The only reason we continually pursue it is because the money is behind it. Evidence of this money is that in 1970 financial services trading represented about 13% of GDP, in 2000 trading in equity markets was 144% of GDP. The power center has moved from one focused around manufacturing and goods to financial services and banking.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financialization
Supply side economics may have worked, (like communism may have worked), but no one anticipated the total unbridled greed of Americas wealthiest and top executives (not all are this way), whose only interest was fattening their own warchests at any cost through tax avoidance, lying, cheating, stealing and so on. Remember all the Enrons we’ve had in the past 15 years? If everyone pays their fair share of taxes, it should work, but they don’t, so it doesn’t. Look up trickle down, it was first put forth as an economic policy in 1890. It didn’t work.
Enter in tax reform and the argument for investing in infrastructure and the government taking a more direct role in helping business and keeping people from living under the freeway. Which is cheaper, giving someone basic health care when the average doctors office visit is about $250.00 or having them go to the emergency room because they have no health care where the average visit costs $5000.00? We all pay for it either way.
All the rhetoric about “people getting something for nothing” and all is just a sideline to get people to buy in to the idea that someone is taking something away from you personally by getting something free. That gets people upset, it makes me upset, because most people are barely making it. But again, follow the money, it is just a distraction to get you in the fold.
The real dollars and the real issues are redistribution of capital through tax reform (everyone pays their fair share), the more direct role of government in business vis a vis what other countries around the world are doing now so we can compete more effectively. Reinvestment in infrastructure to create jobs, enhance economic expansion. Cutting economic and social cost through more effective healthcare.
The biggest issue to me is moving away from supply side economics and investing in our countries infrastructure and rebuiding the middle class. Romney is the poster boy for a continuation of supply side economics he pays 15% tax on $21 million in income. How does he do this? he does a lot of his banking off-shore. Tax reform is the last thing on earth that guy wants.
What exactly does Obama do? Apparently doesn’t attend briefings. Plays golf, basketball, schmoozes with celebrities and goes to rallies to talk to teenagers and union thugs.
So really does he work a four hour day perhaps? Three? Two?
Are you saying we will be better off if Obama wins the election? Cam you please explain why we will be better off?
I don’t know if you Romney supportes live on famrs or are just plain dumbasses. I live in new york under the reign of Hizonner mayor Bloomberg, who vowed to make New york city the richest cirt in America. Well he is doing that, he has shut down a number of homelses shelters, he has stopped section 8 vouchers etc. I can go on and ON people, the fact of the matter is this. Romney wants to do the same exact thing, but from a national level..manhattan has become so expensive that the middleclass have to move to brooklyn now. YOU IDIOTS will be in the same predicament should romney take over because you cities, towns etc will be flooded with foreginers who can afford to pay the extravegant mortgages or rents that u can no longer afford.
sometimes truth hurts! We all know who mitt was refering to by throwing that comment out there . I wonder what Barack and michelle talk about behind closed doors ??
If you go solely on the facts including each man’s personal record and disregard media propaganda, apply patriotic principals of the constitution then of the two men there is only one representing true values of the an American Patriot. I will trust a man who has lived his life as a Man who puts his faith, family and country over a professional politian every day. Anyone who thinks that Americans are going to feel no pain from balancing the budget and likes paying his neighbor’s mortage as well as your own still wants Obama. I don’t notice Obama turning down a salary as President as Mr. Romney did as Governor of MA. Our family income is less than 30,000 now and we are not eligible for any government family aid and my Daughter in college had her grant cut 20% from last year while the cost of State Univ. went up 35%. SO WHERE IS THIS COLLEGE GRANT FUND THAT INCREASED THIS YEAR???
Baby steps will get us back on track. The less your daughter mooches the better. You should be paying her college for her anyway.
Romney did not say that people who pay payroll taxes are NOT a part of the 47% he does not represent. If you are so poor or if you, through tax credits or deductions, do not pay income taxes, no matter the reason why you don’t pay income taxes, Romney does not care about you and you need to learn to take responsibility for yourself and stop being a moocher. Mr. Romney is going to raise taxes on those of us who are part of the 47% and lower taxes on the 1%. Any q
Richard, when you shop do you try to buy American made products or do you not care? Us shoppers are partly to blame for buying the cheaper china made items rather than spend a few dollars more for American made. And if you have a problem with some American made products like I do from time to time, send an email or call the company and express your concerns.
I’ll buy the product that offers the best price-value regardless of where it is made. This argument to buy American is false economy. It leads to inflation and a lower standard of living. If I spend more money on a product just because it is made in the U.S.A, I now have less money to spend on other products and services within the American economy. Now I can’t go to theater with my family or hire a plumber to install that sink I always wanted. The real question that should be asked is why does the U.S.A have the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Why is government reducing America’s competitiveness?
How can we say ‘We the People’ if we’re disparaging half of the people?
“Another word for liberal is liar”? Wow. What you are basically saying is that anyone that does not agree with you must be a liberal and all liberals are liars. Liars cannot be trusted and cannot be reasoned with, so there is no motivation to reach a common ground through debate and compromise. It is my way or the highway. Nice. So much for democracy.
Why don’t we just do away with the trappings of the caucuses and the electoral college and just go straight to facism. Here is the definition of facism: “Fascists seek to unify their nation based on commitment to an organic national community where its individuals are united together as one people through national identity.”
Sounds good so far, our identity is unilateral, non-negotiable “conservatism” (whatever that may mean at the time) and our mission is to crush “liberals” I think you may have something here. It’s short and sweet and to the point. Good luck with that.
Facts on liberal lies fill libraries and newspaper archives. Liberals and liars can’t be trusted and they need to be defeated, not executed. They cannot make rational arguments against conservatives which is shown on a daily basis. When they cannot argue they go to name calling and labeling. Great emotional rhetoric like the children they are. This is why many are adopted by Big Government. It’s up to them, really. Opportunity after opportunity is actually there. Take it from the son of a soldier whose father was just able to scrape by for years. We sucked it up and moved on. My family taught me that.
And I took some but not all of the opportunities presented. Such is life.
It’s really hard to call either side ‘the’ liar as both sides routinely are kicking around untruths and exaggerations. I got in a debate last week with people who tried to tell me Obama was going to dissolve the First Amendment into Sharia Law. As evidence that Obama was trying to destroy America, they sent me a story someone wrote about a business meeting in Russia in the early 90′s. Turns out some women ‘knew for certain’ our first black president had been born and was being mentored and controlled by communist interests. Do people seriously believe this? That Obama sits in the Oval office with ‘Destroy America’ on his to-do list? You may disagree about his policies, but does that mean he acts with intent on creating a communist America?