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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I remember a lot of things about my mother, one of them being that she was a hard worker and that no matter how tough the times, she never took any kind of assistance. If she needed something, she just worked harder so that she could afford it or grow it. She did not take charity from the government, from any groups or even from our church. She never went to the doctor, except for childbirth and on her deathbed. She lived well, worked hard and raised her family to the best of her ability. God be with all those men and women who made it their life choice to take care of themselves and their family.
you are living is yesteryear land, today most take what they can, I live in a poor neighborhood, 10 homes on my block , 9 homes live on welfare, SSI or SSD, only my house does not, only reason for that is that I am the last European American on my block. I am still married and my kids have moved out, apparently one big scam is ;that you just live with your babies daddy and collect welfare for your kids, and when your kids move out, you kids sign over their kid to the grandmother so, she can stay on welfare. Most all on the block start having kids when they are 15 to 16.
and to answer your question, I will get on welfare as soon as I learn a scam, Go Obama! I love this guy
Thank you good post..when growing up, dad was sick alot, being a vet, he was in and out va hospitals since late 50s. we all had to work and chip in to support the mortgage, food, etc. no hand outs then, I am 64 and worked 2 jobs all my life, am a vet, had back surgery, then open heart surgery, and this year kidney cancer surgery. believe me, no hand outs given me..cant get any..know what I'm talking about..everyone has the opportunity to work hard if they like, now, jump the fence, not being mean, but get all you want, and people who worked hard all their life, when it comes their turn, to none available..just saying. thanks for reading
I don't know if the number is 47 percent who expect to take from the government. I would say it's a pretty high number though. 35 to 40. The rest of those are just enablers. One thing I do know is Obama and most liberal politicians are enablers. They would rather see people in poverty and extend them a carrot so they could get their vote rather than try to truly lift them up and help them. They would rather fight with the class warfare rhetoric then to inspire people to really help themselves. Many people at times find the need for assistance. But those who would fight tooth and nail to stay off of assistance or those who would use it for only as long as they really need to are what the assistance should be for. There are too many people on Welfare, Unemployment and Disability who can help themselves and find work, but they would rather play the system as long as they could. This is what makes the middle class suffer with ridiculous amounts of taxes they are responsible for. We need a president who will inspire people to work hard and bring America back to what it once was. Not a President who inspires people to take handouts. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think the government would run commercials to advertise food stamps! Only a lame president like Obama would push for those types of ads. It really makes my blood boil thinking how much I pay in taxes and see it wasted on such nonsense as advertising to push people on to food stamps! Food Stamps are good for the truly needy, but we don't need to advertise them!!
If this was Romney's stance all along and he is proud of what he said why is it that it was shown on a secretely taped video? If he has such a backbone why has he changed his views on numerous topics when he became the republican candidate? Doesn't sound like much of a backbone to me
Obama's goal is that we're all on food stamps in four years, so get used to THAT!
Welfare reform would take a lot of heat off of every working class citizen in the United States. It is terrible that I stand in the line at the grocery store with the bare necessities and the people in front of me have steak, high priced bread, the best of everything and then whip out the WIC card and get it all for free, money that comes from my pocket. I was on unemployment once, I was granted 32 weeks, what did I do? I looked for a job and I found one. 3 Weeks after I was laid off. Don't tell me there are not jobs out there, that is a load of crap. Get off your lazy, bottom feeder rearends and get one. Stop pumping out children because you know we, the working class, will pay for them. Romney was correct in what he said, but it could have been presented in a different way. All the freeloaders and system workers, take heed. America finally has someone who has spoken the truth. These are the people that he was targeting, not the elderly, the vets, or the disabled. We all know who he was talking about....Time to take back America!
Bravo!! Well said!!
Well said and totally agree.
That is not what he said or what he meant, no words you say can spin it a different way. He said income tax, not welfare. There is not 47% of people on welfare. Name the % of people who milk the system.
Bravo! I too am sick of buying what I can afford and watching them by name brands and JUNK food!
I was in line behind a "Mexican" in Walgreen's the other day, couldn't speak a word of English and pulled out her perpetually funded LONE STAR FOOD STAMP DEBIT CARD. One of the items she purchased was rejected and she had to pay cash for it. She belly ached about it in Spanish then reluctantly proceeded to pull out a crisp $100.00 bill to pay for it!
We are going to end up in a civil war in this country if the government doesn't get these people out of this nation! American are BEYOND FURIOUS with this CHAOS!
I've been in that line with you many times. At walmart, I'm buying Great Value (everything), and they're all buying name brand, and fresh produce (particularly fruit), that I haven't bought for myself or my family in years.
To obama mama.....where do you think the welfare funds come from? If the working class can't afford to feed themselves, then why should your lazy lazy butt. % that cheat the system, or know how to work it???? Very very high and you must be one, to still be an obama mama
I bet SUGAR MAMA AND OBAMA MAMA...r both on SECTION 8.....getting that very nice brand new apartment at the taxpayers paying some 1,200 to the renter...I have seen it...it is all over Atlanta...I make 45000 per yr and they live in a better place than I....I am jealousy....
Doesn't matter Obama Mama...This is exactly the point. Government hand outs make you dependent!! We're not talking about social security either. We are talking about hand outs!!
OBAMA MAMA.....Romney said.....FEDERAL INCOME TAXES......u want to make this stuff up to fit you lifestyle....free internet..free housing...free foodstamp....who is paying for your lifestype...the 53%
Haha...are you serious? Have you listened to the words he chose? He didn't mention freeloaders, welfare queens, etc. He explicitly stated 47% of Americans. I'm not sure how you can claim to know "what he meant." He said what he meant. There is no other way to spin it. What's hilarious about it is that Republicans, not Democrats, disproportionately make up that 47%. It just goes to show how incredibly out of touch he is with society and the electorate. In fact, his comments are outright offensive.
And Frank, the simple fact that you mention you were "behind a "Mexican" at Walgreens..." goes to show your outright ignorance and xenophobia. Perhaps the term you were looking for was "Latino", but far be it for you nutcases to understand the undertones of racism and bigotry you eschew. Grow up.
A lot of Hispanics come here on green cards to work, and they bring their families here while they can; when the card runs out they go home where there are a lot fewer jobs and brand names and support. While they are here, they see what a properly-run government can do for its citizens, and they go home and wonder why their own government won't stand up for them. Their kids tell their friends how much better it is here, and they want that for themselves, and that's why America is still number one. Make no mistake about this; despite the alarms being sounded by conservatives who want your vote, and despite the housing crunch and gas price surge, we are fighting two wars and multiple police actions, taking care of our own sick and aged, and sending aid all over the world, and the man on the street barely notices. America is SCARY RICH AND POWERFUL, my peeps. During WWII, we had rubber shortages, metal shortages, labor shortages, and people were growing Victory Gardens; today we are buying a new flatscreen and deciding whether it's Olive Garden or Pizza Hut tonight. Quit acting as if your pocket is being picked when we keep some poor kid from starving because his parents are stupid; we want that kid to join up with us, come here and get smart, invent Facebook or something.
America is a virus that roots in people's minds and makes them want a better world.
People need to realize that what Rommney said is the way most rich white people(GOP) feel. They ALL talk openely like this when they think no one is watching. I am so glad that this was caught on video for everyone to see. These GOP clowns are making it so easy for our current and future President.
The Democratic part is also run by rich white people. And there are poor black people and hispanic people who vote Republican. But if you're so liberal-minded I'm sure you would never stereotype based on race and income.
brown sugr mama
I have alot of BLACK RICH(DEMO) friends in Atlanta, and they have become successful and they see how foolish people like you are.....They have become successul and they see the falicy that obama and the demo party is doing to their culure...they want to keep you down to stay in power and using the last resort...THE RACE CARD.......
No most of us speak the truth all the time out loud in front of everyone!! 16 trillion in debt, record unemployment for minorities, record food stamps, unsustainable alternative energy, unsustainable healthcare, no tax reform, no control over borders, illegal catch and release program, corrupt DOJ, corrupt homeland security, absent secretary of state, american president apologizing to terrorists, hope and change!
What you people aren't hearing is that we who aren't rich people are saying is we agree with himi and are tire of the freeloaders. And for the umteenth time we aren't talking about social security or veterans or disabled poeple!!! It's not just the rich, its the hard working Americans who have stated numerous times that we can't afford the name brand foods but watch those on welfare buy a cart full!!!!!
Mistake or truth? Neither one.
This is maddening. People pay NO taxes are angry at Romney for what he said while day in and day out the same people mad at Romney call the welathy, the successful, the business owners, and the Repuiblicans dead beats for not paying MORE taxes than they already do.
Obama has won. He's now divided this nation into a class warfare - the makers/payers vs. the takers.
And Obama's policies have made a lot more takers than m,kers.
boy did you ever get that right, Really no matter what he says , he is going to be bombarded by the left wing media. No matter what.
Those people who are temporarily on government assistance because of hard times may be offended by his comments. That being said, if they agree with his philosophy of government they'll still probably vote for him over President Obama.
This horrible stupid candidate Mitt the Twit Romney is just like every politician in Washington. He is tone deaf to the middle class.
yep your special interest president...who cares more about socialism and redistribution.....yep he is helping middle class by allow millions illegal immigrants to get papers and get free education off the middle class who pays the taxes to support colleges....take the jobs of middle class down the road.....yep spending billions for buddies to start up solar corporations...yet being told that the chinese had a big jump on us and we could not compete...a half-billion gone and counting...yep the special interests to unions, acorn, naacp, abortionists, gays...and next the muslim will be the next special interests the dems r going after...He is not a president for all americans, only his leftist-socialist base.
Obama is all about the middle class. He's all about making them poor too!
You're so insensitive.
Romney is stupid because amassed great wealth? Man, I want to be stupid, too.
Look at you, ranting and daydreaming to be an intelligent guy who knows it all. You're one of those who believes that the rich have an obligation to distribute their wealth. That's Obama's definition of fair shot. Obama speaks very well. He's an outstanding politician. But he simply failed.
". But he simply failed." Nope, we didn't have the depression Bushbaby set us up for, the auto industry squeaked by and is still recovering, jobs are inching back up and things are looking better all over. You broke the economy, and we don't want you to break it again; everyone knows Mitt can't handle the job of fixing Bush's disaster. Obama didn't fix everything overnight like you crybabies wanted, but he's fixing it.
truth...
Has anybody heard from CHUCK TODD on this thread..Hey CHUCK...just report the political news and not your liberal leftist views....u r loosing alot of BS-NBC watchers...+ you liberal wife will let you come home.
There is old footage of this moron's(Mitt Romney) mother saying at one point his father was on welfare. So does Romney consider his own father in the 47% category? BIG DUMMY!!
If he feels 47% pay no taxes where are his showing he paid. Maybe he did not. Can you say tax evasion.
When I see these "outraged" people who are downing Mr. Romney for the comments I can only think they either did not hear the message or are part of the group being discussed. If you are a pensioneer or a person looking hard for a job, HE WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU! Just because you do not pay taxes does not not automatically put you in this group. If you do not like the free handouts (not from paid-in programs) to people that have no intention of returning to the tax roles or workforce, HE WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU! If you believe the government owes you a good life without putting your best foot forward to help yourself and will only vote for the guy that fills your pocket with free (other peoples) money, YOUR IN THE 47% HE WAS REFERRING TO. If your offended and are part of this group then GREAT, I am offended everytime I have to pay for government handouts (ONCE AGAIN NOT FROM PAID IN PROGRAMS LIKE SSI OR MEDICARE) that go to people who will NEVER leave the system.
I could have been in the system and have used Unemployment and foodstamps when I lost my job but never spent a day without looking for work and got out of other's pockets as soon as possible. I understand the economy is bad and more people have to use the system longer than ever before and that is OK, Mr. Romney knows it too and was not referring to those people. But there is a huge contingent of Americans that really ant to "be taken care of" and they are not even close to retirement age. Those people will vote for the sitting president because that is what benifits them the most.
I've asked this question to many democrats and not one can really answer it. They always say because I'm for the working man or for the little man or something equally as lame. For all you democrats on here why are you a democrat?
Go to youtube and watch the full Clinton 2012 DNC speech. That should explain everything for you.
I had to leave the room and vomit when Clinton came on......
I'm a Democrat because i believe in America, and you can claim I'm for "enslaving the masses" and "stealing your paycheck" all you want. I'm a great big redneck, I live in the country, black people don't scare me, and I don't kick dogs, bash gays, or take any stink from rich boys. I hate to see hungry children of any color, and I hate ignorance and don't let it stand if I can fix it. Whatever you're trying to imply about me and millions like me, stuff it up your fundament; most people on both sides are moderates like me.
I do not know how anyone with a job or business could vote for Obama and believe in his vision of redistribution of wealth. I will support Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race.
You are so right....could not say it better myself. I just don't get it at all!!!!
I'll go one further, I really cannot see how someone who considers themselves a Christian can support the democratic party! I will vote for Mitt Romney in 2012.