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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Social security, disabled vets, Medicare.....Just a few of the 47%. I hope the Republicans don't ever need any of these programs and that their parents, their children and their grandchildren don't either. Oh yea, don't forget the 7,000 millionaires who didn't pay tax either. I guess they are in the 47% too.
I find it more distrubing that Obama, as a Senator, says he truly believes in income redistribution.
He spoke the truth. I am tired of paying taxes to support low-life, baby-making, government dependent idiots. Get a job, stop having babies you can't pay for, and stop expecting me to pay for your poor mistakes. I will be voting for Mr. Romeny and another other politician who can get these people off of the government teet.
You have a valid point.
Grotesque nonsense. The group you're referring to represents less than 5% of the eligible workforce.
Now you know you are talking about white folks in the dirty south don't yo? or do you?
I pay income tax and have never lived off of "government assistance," but Romney's remarks are wrong and rude.
They are also hypocritical. His trust fund came from his father who was a governor, meaning, most of Romney's childhood and college life, he lived off the government.
A lot of very hard working Americans despise Romney, and it isn't because we think the government owes us anything. It is because we are sick of men like Romney and companies like Bane buying our countries factories and jobs and selling them overseas.
"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"
And 7/10 is from CNN audience and readers... based on that bias, I'd say Romney had the truth of it. Romney's referring to those who do as he describes. If that doesn't describe you, then no need to be offended, no? It only applies to you, if it applies to you. Right? In California, 8% of GDP so take notice, we're a fast-growing socialist state run by socialists (even tho the people of California don't agree by majority and are not being represented), and we're – take note – approaching 50% of the population on food stamps. Not a typo. Almost 50%. Without dealing with the structural fiscal issues, and growing the economy, and thereby jobs that put people to work, to spend and create more jobs ... we're sunk.
The current administrations at state and federal levels are sinking the ship, deepening the harm that with each step lengthen the number of years it will take us to climb out of it. They extended the pain period from 2011 to 2012, then from 2012 to 2014, and now they're saying its going to stay this way until 2015. Really people? When will you wake up?
@Blue, you claim you are part of a majority who are not being represented in California. Sorry to tell you this, but last time I looked, we democratically elect our government. Therefore, the majority are represented (at least those not too lazy to vote but only to complain like you). As for socialist, you don't know what you're talking about. Stop being brainwashed.
That's ridiculous...either you are running for the President of the United States, looking out for the welfare of all of the citizen's or you think your a King, and he does not need to worry about the peasants.
If a candidate for President of the U.S. (Free-World) writes off 1/2 the citizens, he then disqualifies himself automatically from running for President. His comments were treasonist. Where are his tax returns, why is his money in off-shore accounts, and what is his real agenda for America he only shares with Rich donors...Romney is Dangerous for America.
How much tax does Romney pay?
For the tax years of 2010 and 2011, Romney showed income of $42,000,000 and paid an average of 15% in taxes. That would be $6,300,000.
Who knows, he refused to disclose the exact amont remember.
He disclosed his returns for 2010 and 2011. They are posted online.
this plump parasite can't even show his tax returns. and he wants to be the president???????
I am ready to tune out on this story because at this point the loudest people are the ones yelling "Mitt told the truth." It's statistically wrong but, as usual, the GOP wingnuts believe repeating a lie makes it a truth. The fact that you can follow this person with a straight face shows how low your morals have become.
Which is why Santorum said the Republican party doesn't attract smart voters...He got that right! LOL
They are all Idiots..it's like talking to a wall.
I read and listened to Heller's remarks and have a question that wasn't fully explained: why does he feel the government OWES his father something because he had back surgery?
I'm quite sure the government would not feel obligated to compensate me for my cancer surgery. These are private matters, by and large. I don't expect the government to alleviate or control every aspect of my life.
I am in a low, fixed income bracket and we could never afford any kind of health care when I was a child, either. I have health problems because of it. I don't blame the government. I must be un-American.
Wow Mittens just how many times are you going to keep sticking that foot in your mouth (it must taste good by now) please keep showing us your true colors and we will remember this as the year Mitt lost again. BTW how about showing us your tax returns since you have nothing to hide?
Problem is 3/4 of that 47% are republikkklans no education no health care no teeth in their mouths no jobs check all states run by gop governors they are down in the toilet. keep them dumb and they will vote for you no matter what.
I am less offended that Romney thinks that those who have found themselves dependent on government are more likely to support the party that created and nurtured that safety net, but his statement that those who do rely on government (including disabled veterans and people born into poverty) have no desire to change their situation. Being a disabled veteran and someone born into poverty, I am not among those who pay no taxes and never want to be and, when I was, did what I could to no longer be. I know that there are many more like me than are not. I remember a Republican Party that welcomed people like me into the fold, but that party is as nonexistent as the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. I was considering voting for Romney. No more. Even if he's right about what he refers to as the 47%, he's dead wrong about the other 53%.
Romney forgot to mention about corporate welfare. Not to mention the very rich paying very little tax, let us remember how much Romney paid a tax in 2011 only 13%, wow that is so little compare to what I paid. Romney has been paying a very low tax rate compare to the many middle class Americans, talk about hypocrisy, the tax system is very unfair to the middle class, people like Romney need to start paying their fare share. He is benefiting from the weak tax system and as the same time he insults the less fortunate. I think he may be a good business man, but for sure he will make a very bad president. Romney please go back to your old job at Bain capital down size and outsource jobs to China that is all you good at. The other troubling thing about Romney is that he does not tell you how he will accomplish all what he preaches. He will make a good etch sketch president and he comes across as an amateur politician.
So Romney is for corporate welfare?
W hat about AIG. You know the billion of dollars taxpayers spent to bail out and when it went backrupt the executive paid themselves huge bonuses from our pockets.
15% is what any citizen pays on dividends. Should Obama get reelected this will go up across the board on ALL classes. As a retired middle class citizen...my rate of return is NOW lower, riskier AND Obama want to tax it even more.
I find it interesting that Romney said the 47% believe themselves to be victims-but didn't say who they were victimized by. Could it be that 47% of Americans have been victimized by the 1%? If the 47% are dependent on govt handouts, as Romney claimed, then I doubt they feel victimized by the govt.
I think it is the truth. Too many people abuse the system. Who knows how much can be saved by filtering and those who really deserve the help to get it. The problem, is he doesn't know or can't answer to questions, when they ask him. If he, a politician, makes a declaration, he has to know how to defend what he says and stand up for it. It doesn't matter if he's right or wrong, he has to be prepared to answer any questions that he may be asked.
Don't let the fact that more than half of that 47% include elders and veterans that will vote Romeny, or the fact that the 10 states with the biggest lack of tax revenue are Republican run states. Just don't let those facts affect you.
How could it possibly not matter if he is right or wrong? Is this what we've come to? Do we no longer care if we act on the right answers or wrong answers?
Sure, there are people who abuse welfare, but the percentage is very small. Should we try to weed out those abusers? Of course. But who ultimately costs us more? The poor mother on welfare or the rich corporation on welfare? The poor family paying no income tax or the millionaire hiding his earnings in off-shore accounts? The drug addict faking a disability or the money addict ripping off investors? Than ask yourself which of these two groups is vilified and which is protected and encouraged by the Republican Party and by our government as a whole?
I too, agree with Mr. Mitt Romney. The ones' who are angered by his comments are the ones he is referring to. There is a difference between the Americans who HAVE to use welfare for a short time, then there are the ones who use it as a lifestyle. Mitt Romney is an American first, and a politician second. He should be allowed to have a conversation with somebody regarding his own opinion without being blasted from some ignoramous with a cell phone! YOU STILL HAVE MY VOTE MITT!!
I'm sorry – how do you know this to be true? I'm sure it feels as though it were true, but just to say so does not make it so. Are there people abusing the system? Of course there are some. How many? I have no idea, and neither do you, I suspect. If we are talking about 0.1% of the 47%, then I'd say it's probably not a problem that, if fixed, will have any measurable effect on your taxes or mine. If it's 20%, that's a different story. Let's work with facts and go from there....
Mitt trying to characterize the "47%" Obama voters as people who think they are victims, who want government help, is so full of b.s. All he has to do is go out there and meet some real folks, democrats AND REPUBLICANS alike, especially the aging baby boomers who have worked all their lives raising children while not making the kind of money that Romney made and are now relying on some form of government help to make ends meet. If he thinks no republicans recieve any government help he is dreaming in his castle and has no clue what the reality is for americans. He does not deserve to be president of the US.
47% was for one specific year and an unusually high number at that due to the housing market collapse. Less than 33% don't pay taxes at this time and THEY CAN'T because they don't make enough income... Educate yourself on these matters please.
between a shameless parasite and a shameless puppet for the parasites, you take your best pick.
good luck, america.
Thanks. We'll definitely need it. In the meantime, enjoy the new master of manufacturing – China! – and all of their awesome and incredibly inexpensive products and the fact that they don't invade and bomb other countries just to protect their oil dependencies. We had a good run and we really appreciate all the respect and admiration from the rest of the world up until about 12 years ago, but all good things must end I guess.