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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the real issue here is what happened to PRIVACY? This is a private event yet a video makes the internet and news and no one cares? Facebook, Google, Youtube have taken the idea of privacy away from everyone and no one even noticed... amazing.
Next up, a video of you scratching your butt while cooking your kids dinner – BUSTED!
Are u serious. He's a politician. There is no privacy cause he is called a public figure.
they don't noticed because they don't want to... People are just not that deep anymore. Why I don't have a clue, but it surely makes me worry.. They should be sued for Invasion of Privacy..
Well said!!!
how long did it take for obama to show his birth certificate?
With teaching M.Ed. in physics and chemistry I could have pursued the money but instead I choose a $30,000/year teaching job at a last chance private school for students who had dropped out, were kicked out or were failing in the public school system. Over the decades 90% of those students graduated and have been amazingly successful in their subsequent pursuits. The benefits to them as well as to society is immeasurable. Mr. Romney: I just retired and I'm one of those 47% who rely solely on Social Security.
That was your choice. We appreciate your efforts over the years. Not sure why we have to support you however.
Yea and you and the rest of the rest of the Baby Boomers spent the last 40 years voting for Dems that promise the world and GOPs that refused to pay for it and every step refused to address the hard questions that faced America. You're gonna be the first generation that takes more from their children then they left them. Thanks!
Im sorry, dont give romey the credit for beginning a topic that no one has the guts to start. He didnt begin it, he got caught disrespecting 47 percent of american. Im in the 53 percentile, but as a time when americans need help the most, even if its help against a poor president in the economy as obama, we have this guy as the other choice. We are in more trouble than i thought.
its not bringing it up that is the problem. Its how you talk about the people in that group that is. It is too bad you cannot see the difference .
A few questions for Romney supporters. If Obama is so incompetent and so bad for the economy and jobs, why has the stock market nearly doubled under his presidency? Why are corporate profits at record high levels? Why would people be willing to invest in the U.S. economy knowing that he is crashing the economy. If they had no faith in the direction he was taking us in wouldn't they be pulling money out of the stock market in droves (ala 2008). This makes absolutely no sense to me. There are plenty of other investments, stock markets, assests that people/companies can invest in yet for some reason, Wall Street, pension funds, companies, etc. continue to bet on the U.S. Wonder why? Trust me, if Republicans will stop obstructing and praying for America's downfall just because they don't care for Obama (for whatever reason) we are on the verge of a substantial uptick in the economy. Look at the stock market, look at housing prices starting to increase, look at the continuous months of private sector job growth, see how manufacturing is turning around. The job market will rebound, it may not go as fast as we would like but we need everyone working together (Republicans and Democrats) like we did in Clinton's second term if we want to fully turn around this economy.
Check your 401k statement and get back to me.
I could live pretty well for a time if I chose to max out my available credit and go nuts. I'll bet if you drove by my home and saw my cars that I could buy with my newfound "riches" you would be impressed. I could max out my credit cards and eat at the best restaurant in town for a while. All my friends would assume I was doing well and there was no problem. The question is: what happens when the bills start coming? Most of the people that I know that disagree with Obama's policies don't question the short term results of pumping money in the system. Most people want to know what happens when this is no longer an option.
lol, Obama has nothing to do with the Stock Market and maybe their just excited because Romney is ready to bite Obama's ass..lol
My portfolio looks real good these days. I must say that I do wory somtimes about the economic challenges that are pervasive in the EU, which in turn could have a negative impact on the global economy as well as the US economy.
The stock market is so high because of Apple, frankly. And the Chinese slave labor they employ. Countries invest in us because Obama hasn't yet turned us into the alternative: Greece. And why is ok that corporate profits are OK when a Dem is in the White House, but a crime against humanity when the GOP is?
If he wanted to start a national debate about the 47% who don't pay taxes, why did Romney start the conversation in a private room full of wealthy people who each paid more to listen to him than many of us make in a year? It's the equivalent of a a mean girl in high school who gossips with her friends. Now he presents himself as a man who isn't afraid to speak "the truth" and isn't going to back down from what he said. Romney was talking like the elitist that he is and he was exposed. He is simply trying to parlay his gaffe into some sort of character strength. He always stands by what he says, unless, of course, he changes his mind. C'mon people, don't get sucked in.
I would so love to be a fly on the wall at one of the Obama fundraisers where people pay more than I make in a year to attend. I'm sure it would be enlightening to say the least!
Give me a break. Obama lives the lifestyle of a billionaire and has to pay income taxes on very little of it. The private jet, the house, the best restaurants are all comped to him as a job perk that unlike the private sector is not taxable income to him. He gets to play the third world dictator role of villaifying the rich, pandering to the masses all while living an incredibly luxurious lifestyle. He is not even on the same pension plan or the same health insurance plan that he is proposing for the rest of us dumb suckers.
He will....as soon as Comrade Obama produces a valid birth certificate....
Romney's a numbers guy who has no real connection to the people. He says whatever will produce the desired numbers. it's all a numbers game and he doesn't understand that the numbers represent real people.
Our economy needs a number guy right now. Obama is definately not a numbers guy and we will pay dearly for it when the bills come due.
And Obama will say whatever it takes to get votes. Its a power thing.
I'm a 53% overworked and overtaxed voter. I have to say that I've been on the fence for awhile, not really liking Obama, not sure what specific plans Romney has. I was tending to think that I should give my vote to Romney because I don't trust Obama. Now, after seeing and hearing Romney's comments, I know that there is no way I will ever vote for the man. I'm not sure I can vote for Obama, but I think the Republicans have lost my vote in this election.
So if you consider yoursel overworked and overtaxed, what exactly is it about Romney's comments that you disagree with?
The problem as I see Harley is that it's not all black and white. One thing that has turned me off to the Republican Party as of late is the habit of "labeling" groups too much. And Romney comes off as labeling the "47%" as lazy freeloaders, which is NOT true for the vast majority of them. Most of the people who have had to accept help like food stamps are working to get themselves out of the situation. They aren't "proud" to take that help, but in desperate straits they may have to just to make sure they or their family doesn't starve. I know many people working two jobs trying to make ends meet and not accepting help who make so little in income that they don't pay taxes. I don't look down on those people at all, but admire their efforts. In truth they are often doing all they can with what they have. I was fortunate to be raised in a great 2 parent home, had access to a great schools, went to college and grad school and have a great 6-figure salary job now. But I don't know for sure that I truly work "harder" day to day than someone having to work multiple minimum wage jobs.
In almost all cases welfare is used only temporarily. Would you rather have a situation where someone is in an accident and not able to work for a little while and just say "well survival of the fittest pal, you need to starve.. sorry?"
Of course Romney can say anything he wants. If he feels it in his heart and if his words describe his morals and principals, than that's exactly who and what Mitt Romney is. We live in a free country and he expresses his feelings and ideas as he should, but the big things is, he CANNNOT AND WILL NOT BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Why? Because in our country we help each other, when our country is hit hard by a catestrophy, or hardships, we all come together to help our families, our neighbors, our acquaintances, and those folks that we encounter on a daily basis. That's the way of the universe, that's what our country is made of: LOVING, CARING PEOPLE. WE are all Christians, children of God. When you turn your backs on people you are not a giving, loving person. God wants us all to be giving and loving. Romney and his followers are not reading the Bible. They are not doing their due diligence, they are not Learning the Words of God, therefore, Romney has the freedom of speech but not the freedom to be POTUS.
I agree with the principle of helping others. I just think it should be voluntary and not forced by the government. I should be free to choose who and what I want to help. There is a lot of satisfaction in this. There is zero satisfaction in the govenment stealing my money so they can restribute according to how they see things.
You're like this whole different kind of crazy...
Another loser, milking the system to pay for his 'Piled Higher and Deeper' worthless degree.
I totally agree with Mitt. Hooray for speaking the truth! My mother-in-law makes over 50k in retirement income but has $32,000 plus in credit card debt and she thinks the credit card companies are crooks! She is over 90 and with no assets (she sold her house and went shopping) that the government should "help" her. How can you reason with that!??
Mitt, stop whining! Now, I need to see your tax returns. Also, where is your birth certificate?
If you did see his tax returns, I guarantee that it would show that he paid many many times what you have paid for the same right to be an American.