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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Obama's a clown who believes in bankrupting anyone above the poverty line
well guess what sir, i just watched the video. What romney said. He wants immigrants into the u.s That is just sounds absolute wrong. If you think obama a clown. Romney is the devil.
the immigrants that u.s has be trying to keep out one.
Phillip, you are correct! I have heard the saying, "steal from the rich and give to the poor", but he has changed it to "take from the working people who support themselves and give to the one's who rely on that handout without having to do anything for it". He has made it easier for them to get that money and harder for us to make it AND KEEP IT!
Back your statement with facts. Statistics, research, reports. Otherwise it looks like you are repeating a Limbaugh soundbite – which in turn makes you sound like an ignorant fool.
And there you have it. Discussing Mitt Romney's insulting comments and you have to immediately change the subject to President Obama. Nice way to participate in a discussion.
Monica – I like you AND KEEP IT in caps. Says all about you that I need to hear. Me, me, me, me.
It isn't Obama that will not pay people a living wage. As I recall, the Republicans are the ones pitching a fit everytime the subject of raising the monimum wage come up.
Now WHO is sending people into poverty?
It's called a generalization. What Mitt said is essentially true. Yes, he generalized a bit. But the real message is one that most people don't want to admit. We are a nation of whiners who expect the government to take from the rich and support the rest of us 100%. If you can't see that reality, chances are you are too dependent on your government handouts to want to see it.
The generalization that Mitt is being slammed over is no different than what the Occupy movement did with their 99% rant. They generalized and lumped a lot of people in who would never associate themselves with the Occupy movement. If you didn't get upset with that generalization, why are you now upset with Mitt?
Think hard about it before you respond. We can't continue to hand out healthcare, social security, subsidies, etc. At some point every American needs to get off their own ass and work for their own good. Don't rely on anyone else to support you if you can't support yourself first.
AMEN Joe.
Joe – The difference is that Occupy Wall Street is not running for president; Mitt is. When you use incendiary words like he does, you cannot expect him to be taken as a person who is presidential.
I have to agree with you. I work in retail and find that many people who like to argue about this topic are the ones who aren't active in helping this economy, but instead wondering how they can get more assistance. There are just too many people who have just stopped looking for jobs point blank. People want to say that there are no jobs out there, but that simply isnt the truth. I don't care if McDonalds was the only job out there, if I were unemployed I would be going out and applying. People tend to think that they are too good for a place like McDonalds, so instead of applying there, they will just let the system take care of them. I know working in some places arent exactly what I thought my life was leading up to, but it doesn't mean I cant quit that job and find a job that is in my field.
The difference is the Occupy group is not running to occupy the White House, Mitt is. Here is the problem I have with Republicans they never want to admit they were wrong. Bottomline what Mitt said was inaccurate and insulting. He didn't mention that the 47% who don't pay taxes do so primarily as a result of Bush/Regan tax cuts. Wasn't it under Regan that we got the Earned Income Child Tax Credit? Republicans always run on the platform of wanting to cut taxes and know that the only way to sell large tax cuts to upper income folks is to also cut taxes for middle and low income earners. That is why the vast majority of the 47% don't pay taxes. If they want to repeal tax breaks for middle/lower income people to require that they pay taxes THEN JUST SAY THAT!!! Otherwise they are being disingenuous and hypocritical. But as Clinton said it "takes some brass to critisize someone for doing what you did".
HenryB: and Obama doesn't care what you think, thats why he told the Russians that he can work with them after the election! Think about it!
Some people like the idea that government owes them something. They don't like feeling that they're asking for a handout from a neighbor or a charity.
Romney wasn't good at choosing his words. But, those people who like government controlling the redistribution instead of going to a charity are the people he was talking about. They won't vote for a candidate who proposes changes downsizing government.
Come on you dont get it, sure what he said was rude and straight forward, but its the truth . The economy has not worked under Obama, he filled us with so many promises of the future and what he would do, but he didnt live up to his word, he made it worse. I am glad Romney said what he did, somebody needs too. Id rather have my boss tell me i suck bad at my job and I need to fix it fast or im out, not tell me that im doing ok just need to put a little better work forward. We need more jobs we need a new plan. His plan is to help get people off of welfare. Yeah sure his parents used welfare for two years and look where it got them. It helped them, they didnt stay on it there whole life. Its time to get real, time to notice that Obama just isnt working, we gave him his chance and look at the facts, he didnt do the job he promised, didnt even come close to it.
Agree with you Heinz57 100%. Also keep in mind that the article quotes those who are opposed to what Romney said. They should try interviewing someone who is indeed part of the 47% who are on welfare and don't care about ever getting off it. I've seen too many welfare recipients at the grocery store full of bling and with nice cars parked outside. It's a gimmick for the majority. Obama is just trying to sugarcoat the "nanny state" syndrome.
People can't handle the truth. I agree, what he said may have came out harsh but it is the truth and I am so glad he stuck by his word instead of apologizing and trying to get out of it. He's a man that sticks to his words, doesn't matter if you like it or not. Someone told me today, "without welfare I can't support my family and I have always wanted a big family", well guess what, I would have like a big family also but we stopped at two kids because that is what we could afford. The man who told me that has seven kids, YES SEVEN!!!! He knew back then he couldn't support them, and all these years later he still can't support them, his family has been getting assistance for nine years. I would think that in nine years they could figure something out and get off the system!
Pay attention. Only 0.9% of the population is on welfare.
The Tax Policy Center estimates that 4,000 households with incomes over $1 million ended up with zero federal income tax liability in 2011. Another 14,000 made between $500,000 and $1 million. Guess what, they are included in that 47% Yes, they get government welfare also, NO TAXES.
So, I guess you hate these people also.
Oh cynthia i never said i hated anyone. If i did i would hate myself, my wife and my first born were on medicare for 6 months while i was waiting for the job i now have. And i havent researched all the facts but .9% on welfare with unemployment up above 8% seems a bit off to me. I dont hate anyone I think our country needs to have a good welfare program set up, but the one we have needs some definate improvement. What we have is not working, simple as that.
Fantastic! It' is impossible to understand where the posts go. Wonderful job, CNN.
I have been on food stamps and I have been on unemployment twice over the past decade. I have a practical PhD. A research PhD, but it has taken me between 6 months to 2 years to find work, largely because of all the financial crises but also in part because the proliferation of job search portals like LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, and Monster make it easy for people who already have jobs to compete for those who truly need them. In some cases, those already employed are courted and deemed favorable by virtue of their employment to someone with the taint of having been out of work.
Here is something nobody really thought about. IF you spread the money out more... the IRS/Govt. will collect far less revenue. It is far easier for the IRS and State Tax Agencies to just take the 35% + 6% ( Georgia as example ) tax rates from a few highly paid individuals than to spread it out over more employees and take a FAR smaller tax rate.. The redistribution of wealth theory will cause an instant substantial decrease in collected revenues for the taxing authorities. Furthermore if the IRS et. al. are pursuing tax revenues from more people; they will need to have more people on staff....expenses go up. Having a 1% is far more effective in generating large tax collection.
That's exactly why a middle class is so important. They pay more taxes per dollar earned than the rich.
He was not telling the truth. First of all there are various categories as to why a person is supported by the Govt. You have military retirees, federal retirees, disabled veterans, and people that are drawing social security. These people pay very little taxes and in some cases no taxes on the money that they receive from the Govt. I think that Romney was trying to energize his base by talking in a coded format. If he wasn't then I find it to be unbelievable that approximately 50% of our population pays no taxes.
I'm not voting for either of these bums.
I got my first job when I was 17 and I worked for 30 years, moving up and advancing into management. Then something horrible happened to me and I was shot in the back and then beaten for several hours. Today I'm disabled as a result, the bullet could not be removed and is my central nervous system.
A Republican told me this today, "you should quit sucking the system dry like the rest of the cry babies in this Universe! ". My understanding of the "system" was that I worked and paid into the "system" and if something horrible happened to me then I could still live and eat and pay my bills because of the INSURANCE I bought through the "system".
TRUTH!!!
I'm trying to figure out how Romney thinks he can save the country. I guess he plans to fire 47% of the citizens and sell off the country's assets.
No really – turning around a country is NOT the same as turning around a business. You can't fire the citizens. You can't sell off the country assets to pay off debt. And who will you look to for a bailout? China?
You can't just liquidate a country and walk off. You have to make it work – and you have to make it work for EVERYBODY.
2 Things... One, what Romney said is the TRUTH. and Two, bad strategy if you he want to win the election!
I am thankful to see and hear Mr. Romney speaking from his heart. It must be hard to tweak messages to hide one's true view to win mass or comply with campaign advisors. I am sure it's extra hard for him who has been so successful in all his persuit of his individual goals and his effort and value have so often prove to himself to be in the right.
Voters now have the benefits of having low-spun image of Mr. Romney. I got a feeling he will be miserable and ineffective at the job as prez even if he is elected because that job requires him to deviate from his true view of public service.
LOL. Those who think Romney has the "backbone to walk the walk" just haven't been around the last 8 years. How can someone who is known more for his flip flops have "backbone"? Why do you think he's been flip-flopping? Because he doesn't have the backbone! In fact, if he wasn't secretly taped saying this, what are the chances he would have said it in public – to show he has the backbone? None!
The socialist media can not handle the truth !!! I think they need to gather these data themselves from government agencies.
I agree that many are not paying taxes. But most of them are taking the taxes breaks. What makes my head hurt is that Mitt refuses to show more than two years of taxes, and places in money offshore like a drug dealer to not pay taxes, and takes his breaks like the 33% of the 47% his talking about. I this man is not a fair man....and for others American not to cae for the others that are having touch times...then shame on you...and you deserve Mitt.
He is talking about taxes ? Not him of all people....takes his monies and moves it offshore. Instead f payng taxes to fund America....your vote ! I will not vote GOP this term....He lacks any ethics.