David A. Rice feels like Mitt Romney wrote him off.
The 61-year-old has always been a values-based voter, generally votes Republican and could be a key vote in the swing state of Florida. But he's also among the 47% of Americans that Mitt Romney said don't pay income tax and rely on government support.
"There are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney says in a clip from a secretly filmed private donor meeting in May, which was first posted on Monday afternoon. "There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing."
Romney's '47%' – Washington's tax-break obsession to blame
Rice says he is working part-time and doesn't pay taxes because he can't find a good job. And the fact that Romney wrote him off in those comments is frustrating.
"I am insulted. I support you and you just wrote me off with the 47% who pay no taxes. In that group are those who cry every time they use food stamps; people who would trade them in a minute for a real job. In that group are Christians who shudder at the thought of voting for abortion and gay rights," he wrote in an iReport. "You have strengths that appeal to the demographic you just wrote off ... use it! In the middle of rich supporters you cannot afford to write off a huge group with a careless word."
The 61-year-old said that he has been forced once or twice to take food stamps - and unlike what Romney contends in his comments - he maintains it was not something he was proud of or hopes to ever have to do again.
"It really hurt me," the iReporter told CNN. "It was not something that I wanted to do, I did it because I didn't have a job."
Rice says he didn't think it was right for Romney to lump every low-income person into the same group.
"Not everyone who takes food stamps is a food stamps junkie," Rice told CNN. "There are people who think the government owes them a living and that the government ought to take care of them and be their momma and daddy all their life. That doesn't apply to everyone."
It all left Rice a bit uneasy.
Which leads to the big questions swirling around the Romney campaign: How much damage will Romney's comments do to his chances for winning the election? Were his comments a big enough gaffe, combined with previous missteps, to really dent his campaign? Were his comments just the brutal truth others don't want to hear? Will it sway the votes of Republicans, independents or the undecided?
Rice says he'll still be voting for Romney because of the candidate's social views. But he knows it may not be the same for others.
"I think it was a mistake on his part because he insulted a lot of people who he needs to vote for him," he said.
CNN asked our readers on Facebook what they thought about the remarks and more than 71% said Romney was wrong and should apologize. Twenty-four percent of readers who answered our unscientific poll said he was right, and it was something someone needed to say. Just about 4.5% felt that Romney was right but shouldn't have phrased the remarks the way he did.
Nevin Sanli, from Los Angeles, California, said he is in the 47% and Romney's recent remarks, as well as other gaffes, have sealed his decision to vote for Obama.
"I never took a penny in help or government assistance money or otherwise. I own two businesses, and all I have been doing, along with my business partners, is creating jobs. I am not a victim," Sanli said in response to the CNN poll on Facebook. "I worked hard and built it all from scratch and I pay a lot of taxes. I am not as rich as Romney, but I sure pay a much bigger percentage of my income in taxes than he does. I find his remarks to be un-American, shocking and insulting."
And definitely unbecoming a president, he added.
"Elitism, silver-spoon arrogance and outright divisive statements, with undertones of racism, cannot be attributes of an American president," Sanli wrote.
For his part, Romney has stood behind the comments from the secretly recorded video. They were an honest reflection of his campaign's message, he said.
"This is a message I'm carrying day in and day out and will carry over the coming months," Romney said on Fox News. "This is a decision about the course of America, where we're going to head. We've seen the president's policies play out over the last four years."
Kristopher Daughtrey agreed with those tough words and took them to show that Romney won't shy away from the truth and will stick to his convictions.
"I applaud Romney for his remarks. He's the only one willing to not sugarcoat it. I'm not a huge supporter of either party, but at least Romney has the guts to speak out frankly about it, instead of Obama, Congress, and other politicians trying to justify their actions constantly or running away with their tail between their legs," Daughtrey said. "If you're going to be president then you need to have the backbone to walk the walk and not just talk about it."
Jason Asselin, an iReporter from Iron Mountain, Michigan, is an independent who says that he generally votes for the best candidate, despite their affiliation, though he likes the ideas and stances of the tea party.
While Asselin is normally a critic of Obama, he said Romney's comments really angered him because he doesn't pay taxes, but it isn't because he doesn't want to.
"I try paying taxes each year and every year they say we don't make enough, it isn't that I don't want to pay my taxes - they won't take them," he says. "Our government put rules and regulations in place for the lower class of people. It isn't our fault for falling under that. I don't like being called the 47%, I'd like to be called American."
Asselin said he is frustrated that Romney makes assumptions about how he will vote. And he is not alone.
Jeff Zicker, 21, might have been a candidate for the 47% category. He's college-aged, but left college because he landed a job performing with a national Broadway tour. He worked two jobs all through college, and these days he pays all his taxes, which puts him in the 53% category.
“For (Romney) to say his plan only appeals to those who don’t victimize themselves just further proves how out of touch he is with the rest of the American public,” he said.
Zicker is a moderate Democrat who will be voting for Obama this fall.
“I honestly believe that somebody that would say that a large of a portion of Americans, that this group victimizes themselves and tries to appeal to voters in that way, I don’t think that shows that they would be fit in any way to be president," he said.
But others say that Romney is merely beginning a dialogue that many Americans refuse to have. Steven Evans said that he thinks the discussion is an important one as the country moves forward.
"It is time to start a national dialogue on whether we are creating a major dependency class," he said on Facebook. "I am glad to see him tell the truth. Let's decide whether we are going the way of Greece or the traditional USA."
But some believe that having that conversation with only half of the country is problematic.
“It’s not in touch with what America’s values are and what we should be in a country," Zicker said of Romney's comments. "At the end of the day, we’re all connected. What I do affects you economically and socially. We shouldn’t see it as an one-for-all system.”
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Only 133 million people are considered employeed out of 300 million.
We need many more jobs. Some of the people not considered employed are doing things for money and not paying taxes. Here in California it is rampant. If I had to guess hundreds of thousands if not more.
In my opionion these people are part of the problem too. Many facets to this problem.
Correct! that is a legitimate 1099... however when you make a phony one yourself just so you can claim you had enough income to get back the maximum earned income credit (someone else's tax money), that is fraud and it's huge.
Average Joe, Its good you got your facts straight. And its awesome that your brushed up on the basic concept of the tax code. But...you didn't did you. Our payroll tax is progessive. Meaning the more you make the more you pay. The 47% did not make this tax code. The government did. We are not choosing not to pay income tax. It's just we don't make enough. Also, you are part of the 47% or you were when you were younger. Mininal Wage does not pay income taxes. Payroll tax but you get your returns.
Also, Romney only paid 13.4% payroll tax. Even though he made well over 200k a year. He kept money offshore so it wouldn't be taxed. Real American. I could go on with more examples. But I doubt you read them or believe them.
James don't lie!!!! Romney paid a lower rate because he made his money on dividends and interest. We all pay the same rate on those – so the issue is capital gains income is taxed lower than work income. This is done to encourage investment. Also – once you make something like 100,000 you stop paying Medicare and social security taxes since there is a max you can pay. So if I make 200,000 I will pay a higher percentage than if I make 1,000,000. Of course if you could do math and get your facts right you wouldn't be in the 47% anyway....
For the most part, Romney's comments are true....
Agreed, which is scary that he specifically admitted he has absolutely no regard for the poor and less fortunate in America.
I do not cheat so I would not know.
The video of Romney's remarks in front of his wealthy donors is the last straw for me.
I'm voting for Obama... two or maybe three times!
Another Obama robot. I doubt you ever had a last straw. Vote for Obama because you are socialist, but stop lying about why. As for voting multiple times, that is not a new fact that your party is flooding my country with illegals that vote without citizenship or voter ID laws to end conservative votes. A total takeover of America. And, with Acorn and suppression of military votes, you would bus in a weekend with Bernie as long as it "counts". You are a disgrace.
Calling the kettle black eh nobik?
Watchetauf (page 67) put it well.
The richest 3 percent of Americans pays 37 percent of the entire national tax burden....the richest 10 percent pays 53 percent of the entire national tax burden....is that equitable? Meanwhile, Romney has spoken the brutal truth...almost half of all Americans pay nothing. That's socialism.
It was a callous gaffe. We need to have an educated look at what % of people are "lifestyle" government assistance users and make sure the % is not high or trending up as that would indicate a "dependent class". I don't think it is published information.
As far as taxes, everyone should have to pay something, even if it is a small amount. We need elected officials brave enough to challenge congress to a different tax structure, like a simple flat % tax, whose form can fit on a postcard. Rich people can't complain that poor people pay nothing, and non rich people can't complain that rich people deduct away all their revenue. And it will save everyone tons of time every year (although might shake out a large account industry) Congress won't do it because it is a scary complicated business to change the tax code, it needs some strong people to even get it beyond a conversation piece.
@veteran- they also hold 60% of the wealth.
This Earned Income credit has GOT TO STOP. It's a sure way to a 3rd world status. But even Romney has not touched upon it. All he has done is to demonize the middle class which is now a part of the 47%.
Romney is stating the truth.
Maybe not so eloquently.
Maybe he should have been less secretive about saying it.
But it needs to be said so that solutions can be found for the problems.
Not confronting the situation is just sticking our heads in the sand as many many politicians would be happy
to do because they don't want to be in the hot seat for saying it.
Don't confuse the facts with the implications. He did not imply that he does not care about the lower income.
Really dude? You don't think he implied he doesn't care about the poor, especially after he SPECIFICALLY SAID HE DIDN'T? Learn to read.
The top 1% own the top 33% of wealth.
and the top 1 percent of Americans pays 37.9 percent of the entire national tax burden....they pay for YOU Obama mama, and your health care, and your foodstamps, and your ARM bailout.
@Veteran – and they shouldn't pay a large porportion of the tax burden when the wealth is concentrated in their hands? How much faster do you think income inequality will grow if they don't?
Veteran did I hit a nerve. My home is paid for, mortgage free I am, I own my home. I live well, I give to my community. I pay for everything I have. I pay for my health care, never have had food stamps. I do not cry for the wealthy, they have pity parties at the wealthy homes, and complain because they have too much money and do not pay a living wage but want the poor to pay for their government pork. You are sad and you cannot take your money with you when you die, even if it is in the Cayman islands.
Folks that say they would rather have jobs than collect government subsidies should vote for the candidate whom they believe has the highest chance to create new jobs.
Then feel free to pay more taxes, Obamamama...if that is your thing. In fact, why wait for the next Obama tax increase? Just mail in your paycheck to the IRS now...I'm sure it will pay for some needy child's shoes....even better...try the American way* ..... philantropy and make a private charitable donation, but why would you want to determine how to spend your money, when you are firmly resolved (as a confused welfare liberal) that the government is better suited to decide how to spend your money.....just as it was in the GDR. (Thats the country formerly known as East Germany where socialism was tried, and failed)
@Angelique...no. That's what we call "socialism" my dear.
@angie- if you make it legal or send it offshore your a tax avoider and that is better.
Veteran-what does socialism have to do with Mitt social skills, including all americans, and helping people? NOT a thing. You not staying on topic of Mitt and constantly driving home a republicans talking point. Putting money into infrastructure is building america, investing in education makes us marketable, seeing all people have health care, all Obama ideas. All make a strong nation.
Why should anyone have to pay more than 35% of their income to the Federal Government.
Besides the Obama's personal finances are not squeaky clean.
James-
I do believe he only paid 13-17%, he used the tax code that he, nor I, nor you wrote as you indicated and if the law allowed me to only pay 13-17% legally I would do the same, unfortunately my income is earned income not investments so I pay way more. Unlike you I'm not mad at Romney for legally using the tax code to his advantage, you would do it, I would do it if we could, so being mad at someone for doing something we would all do if we could legally is not common sense. Personally, I would like to see us all pay the same percentage regardless of income, fair is fair. We all need skin in the game and we should all get what we put in period.
The take home pay of the 1% after their taxes is 100 times the take home pay of the middle class after taxes.
so we should punish them for being successful and thus take their money and give it to others? Thats called "socialism" sportsfans
Yes, Veteran, let's do nothing and over time we'll ensure that only rich people's children can ever be that successful. Ah, yes, I've always wanted to go back to the ages of nobles and peasants.
No we should make them pay the same as a middle class person and they should not have loopholes and offshore accounts. Just because they made it legal for themselves to do it does not make it morally right.