.
Feedback

Are You One of the 47 Percent?

Reacting to Mitt Romney's perception of the 47-percent of voters he has given up on.

As some may have noticed, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has been drawing attention to himself lately with his 47-percent speech. The speech was given at a private fundraising event on May 17th in front of a small crowd, and recent videos of the speech have spread over the internet. (See Video Attached)


Now, when I initially heard the words spoken in this speech, I had an immediate urge to expose the words spoken as divisive and pig-headed. Then I held back upon coming to the conclusion that if I add more attention (as if it hasn't gotten enough already), then my actions would simply contradict what I can't stand about the speech itself.

For some reason, whether it be hearing about this speech over and over again through media outlets and social media or whatnot, the main premise of these words still stir unrest in my mind. And well...resistance became futile.

How in the world can someone assume that because one votes a certain way, and is consistent in their resolve, they are one of a group of "victims" who either pay no taxes or are completely dependent on government to survive? How can a man that is running for President of the United States of America belittle the masses, and actually believe in his chances of gaining the trust of the majority of voters in November?

I could spend time citing the facts in relation to Romney's comments, and break down the lack of truth in this argument but that has been done by countless fact checkers and news outlets this week. I could go on the attack and point out flaws in Romney's own tax record, or unpatriotic methods of tax evasion, but once again, it has been done.

Instead I'll express my disdain by waking up early, and dragging my entitlement earning, government dependent, tax-paying behind to polls on Nov. 6 before heading to my nonunion, corporate-funded, private sector job and place my vote for someone that doesn't lump me into the 47 percent of Americans that he can't seem to find a way to relate to.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Southington Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 02:55 pm
It is important to give the other side. It is important to let people know what the powerful really say, to cast light on their actions. It is important to underscore the harm caused by those actions.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 03:01 pm
Pro doesn't talk to Social Security recipients or veterans. Perhaps that is why he is so misinformed. And why he is voting for Mr. Romney.
tchjjal September 25, 2012 at 03:10 pm
Romney gave 3 million to his church last year. I'd say that's well above any membership fee. Biden (cheapskate) gave $5000. What does this have to do with politics? It's really none of your business...
tchjjal September 25, 2012 at 03:13 pm
Mac, it doesn't matter what the facts are with the government. I think the left is truly blinded and believes that Obama's going to take care of everything. They also believed that in Hitler!
George September 25, 2012 at 04:14 pm
Romney paid "extra" because he said he paid more than 13% in taxes and if he claimed his maximum deduction it would have been about 9-10%. He manipulated the charitable deduction to fit his speeches.
But, you can be sure that come November 7 the IRS will received an amended return increasing his deduction to the full amount!
Tom Riccio September 25, 2012 at 04:14 pm
To Maria,
I have followed many of your posts which skewer most "conservative points of view" and I wonder why you have not asked Jane for references to all of the numbers she put forth in her response above? Any "intelligent" viewer of the Romney comment would discern the overall context of the statement which is when the 47 percent becomes the 51 percent, the game is over. A majority of seniors receive over three times more than they put into Social Security (go ahead and fact check me). Veterans compensation law has become so liberalized, it is now just another welfare giveaway program (I know, I am one and I work there). I find Liberals (I live with one ) to be the biggest hypocrites of all...laws and rules are for everyone else but Liberals. If Obama voters are so keen on income redistribution and "shared sacrifice", why not lead from the front and voluntarily pay the IRS an extra 10 percent of your income next year. Why not 50 percent? Why not have a special tax on bloggers like yourself...say 75 percent of what you earn, because you didn't create your business, you use the internet which was developed by... Al Gore! Shame on your greedy business for keeping so much of your earned income and not sharing with the rest of our American society. I don't see how your liberal, socialist, elitist friends continue to keep you in there social circle. Your continued bashing of the American business model is contradictory to your daytime job. Keep up the great work!
MAC September 25, 2012 at 04:40 pm
You are very wrong, again, Maria--as you so often are in your speculations and assumptions. Your posts most always reveal your perspective to be one of envy of those who have worked hard and succeeded financially, so you know nothing of "the spirit of charity" and are in NO position to judge Mitt Romney!
You discount the actual charity and good works of people such as Mitt Romney, because you believe in a phony "social justice" religion rather than in God. It seems to make you feel good to demand that GOVERNMENT ^^take^^ money from the successful to redistribute to those you deem more deserving or needy. That seems to be your idea of "charity" as you refuse to acknowledge the many true charitable works of churches and other charities. No, it is not mandatory to pay tithing in order to remain a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka "Mormon" church. "Paying" tithing is a commandment of God, and an evidence of both one's obedience to and faith in God, as well as a way to physically acknowledge gratitude for God's bounteous blessings. Maria, you don't even care to do a simple search for facts yourself to back up your opinions. You would rather spend hours simply redundantly spouting your same uninformed opinions, but I will save you from your continued embarrassment of yourself in this case. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/here-are-romneys-official-2011-tax-return-numbers/
Chris Griffin September 25, 2012 at 05:16 pm
Even if it was stronger it would still be ludicrous.
The amount of rhetoric is unbelievable. I can't believe banging the "Socialist" drum hasn't stopped yet. How about "fiscal responsibility"? Haven't heard that one much since FORMER Governors Arnold and Mitt used to death. Of course it did lose its punch since they both failed so badly. How about "Hussien", or the Birth certificate, or eating a dog? All ridiculous The one and only thing the GOP cares about is making the Bush tax cuts permanent for the wealthiest in the country. The "47%" comment proves that without a doubt. They do not care about pro-lifers, NRA members, retired republicans, or any of their supporters that are in that 47% but they will dole out any rhetoric they can think up if it will get there vote.
Hansa Junchun September 25, 2012 at 05:20 pm
Rosa is my incumbent representative and it is my civic duty to hold HER responsible for all the bloody murder that's being committed in MY country's name all around the world, as well as to hold her culpable for the corporate seizure of power in Washington.
I cannot hold another representative responsible. That is up to their constituents. As to my inflammatory language, I don't care about your doubts. All I care about is exposing the horrific consequences of a master manipulator and her evil, self-serving political games. If you think Rosa's experience is worth re-election, then all I can say is, "Get back to watching Jersey Shore and pretend all's well."
Brigid September 25, 2012 at 05:25 pm
Why are so many of you obsessed with HOW the video came to be and whether or not it was fair for the video to be made? You sound like teenagers who have just been confronted by parents who found booze and pot in your room. Your reply? "You had no right to go through my stuff."
Hunter September 25, 2012 at 05:38 pm
I rarely enter into political discussions, and the reason why is that since I have been following this piece, 115 comments later, all I hear is a bunch of children arguing over one another's comments.
What ever happened to 'Civility'? It's not just those of you on the far-right making snide remarks regarding another's opinion,. There is a poster on here who gives liberals like me a bad name with her smarmy comments, all, it seems, just to get the last word in. Enough, people. If you can't post civilly, don't post.
Hansa Junchun September 25, 2012 at 06:49 pm
There is no such thing as right or left, conservative or liberal. Those are psy-ops, brainwashing techniques by the fascist corporate elites in order to divide the country into barking partisan attack dogs, while they foist nitwits as Presidential candidates onto us, and lock two-faced hypocritical backstabbing sellouts like Rosa DeLauro into seats of power.
The Last word is, "Boycott the presidential election" and "Vote against all incumbents!"
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:12 pm
"If my information is incorrect I hope someone will point this out" I said. You could have provided the "correct" information in a charitable spirit, but you chose the low road. And frankly I would not accept your word as gospel due to your obvious hostility. What is the Blaze? A right-wing website? Why is it that you are so supportive of those successful multi-millionaires and billionaires and so hostile toward the vulnerable and the needy? Jesus Christ seemed to hold the opposite view.
Mr. Romney is running for President. He has refused to release most of his recent tax returns. Mr. Romney gets a nice deduction for his charitable contributions. If you know how much he gave to his church, tchjjal, you must know how much he gave to other charities. Why don't you say? You obviously considered it your business.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:17 pm
"I suspect that Mr. Romney gives to many charities, but would like to know this as fact" I also said. Your hostility, MAC, is robbing you of your ability to read and comprehend.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:21 pm
I think most of those commenting are civil, but hold strong opinions. There is nothing wrong with that. I am disturbed by some of the over-the-top (Socialist) and ugly language (Hitler, evil) used to describe politicians or those making comments. They exhibit an immature view of the world and how Washington works. They want to blame one politician or one party for all the ills that befall not only America, but the world. They want to blame progressives for programs that have made the complainers' lives better and increased their wealth.
Bill Fasula September 25, 2012 at 07:30 pm
You should vote for Obama, because you are so dumb you missed the whole point. How can a reasonable tax policy be agreed on when half the people don't pay any taxes?
Spiff September 25, 2012 at 07:36 pm
I got an idea, give Maria and her kind half the country, and give the rest the other half, and we'll see which side survives after 20 years. Unfortunately, Maria's side needs the other side to survive, whereas the other side doesn't need Maria's, and that is where the predicament lies!
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:38 pm
The January 25, 2012 issue of the Christian Science Monitor online reported: "According to his 2010 tax returns and 2011 estimate, the former Massachusetts governor donated a total of $4.13 million to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over those years.
Tithing at a 10 percent level of income is required of observant Mormons. Church founder Joseph Smith wrote that members of the faith “shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.”
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:43 pm
From the January 25, 2012 Huffington Post: "Particular to Mormon teaching, Latter-day Saints must pay the tithe to remain a church member in good standing and participate in temple rituals. The Doctrine & Covenants, a collection of revelations from church founder Joseph Smith, says of tithing that Mormons "shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you." Nearly 80 percent of Latter-day Saints said they paid a tithe in a recent survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life."
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:49 pm
I think our side would look a lot like Sweden, and your side would look a lot like Mexico or Bolivia or Russia.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:49 pm
Well, if you had read some of the prior comments you would know, Mr. Fasula. I suppose you don't want to know. But others have read those comments and do know.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 07:51 pm
Your side would be a cold, cruel place. So you do need us, you see.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 08:02 pm
Well, it appears that there is much evidence to indicate that members of the Mormon Church must contribute to the church in order to remain members in good standing. The tithe, however, may not be a rigid requirement for all members, but an expectation, especially for those with substantial incomes.
But the question remains does Mr. Romney's charity extend beyond his church. I suspect it does, but it would be nice to know.
Lou September 25, 2012 at 08:15 pm
I havent read Mac's comments. I read yours because everytime you comment I get an email and I'm really starting to get annoyed with all the emails with your name on them. Did we have a bad day yesterday and today decide to bombard the Patch...Jeez, let it be
Spiff September 25, 2012 at 08:17 pm
No, you are, no, you are, no, you are, no, you are........
This is so retarded. You will never get it, Maria, you will wander the earth with your zombie-like appearance muttering the same liberal garbage, over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over over and over ...................................
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 08:29 pm
Charity: 1. generosity toward the poor. 2. alms or aid. 3. a charitable fund or institution. 4. benevolent feeling. 5. leniency or forbearance. 6. Christian love.
Maria Giannuzzi September 25, 2012 at 08:45 pm
You should also have gotten MAC's comment in an email as well. You don't need to get annoyed. Just delete the emails. You should also be able to remove yourself from email notifications for that particular blog or article. I'm the one who should be annoyed having to decipher comments containing really bad writing and misspellings and such. There are worse things than being passionate about what you believe. And my comments do not prevent others from commenting, so everyone has an opportunity to get on Patch. But I do think you have a point. It is late in the day.
Bill September 25, 2012 at 09:39 pm
So your saying, giving to the church, that then uses to money to do charitable things (feed clothe poor) doesn't count?
MAC September 25, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Note that none of these definitions define your Marxist views as "charitable."
Maria is fond of once in awhile referring to Jesus Christ, as if that makes her a believer, and implying that He would support the government's confiscation of the fruits of others' labor to "redistribute" according to the self-serving goals (usually re-election to their cushy political careers). Never did Jesus support such theft. Rather, He said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's." The earnings, stock dividends, capital gains, etc. earned by Romney, Spiff, myself or anyone else do NOT 'belong' to the government, Maria! Btw, you are "hostile" and envious of those who have worked hard and succeeded financially. You like to style yourself as "progressive," because it sounds so much nicer, but your views advocating bigger government and less freedom truly are "Marxist." P.S. none of yours or Obama's attempts to distract from his FAILURES work!
Walton Burns September 25, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Besides income tax, personally, I pay property taxes, vehicle taxes, payroll taxes and sales taxes as well as government fees for various services. So even if I wasn't paying income tax, I think I'd be doing my share and hardly living off the system.
On top of that, let's not forget that retirees and people who don't work don't pay income tax because they don't have...wait for it...income. And people who are too poor to pay income tax, still pay payroll tax. That means contributions to Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, whether they use those programs or not. Finally, if you want to stop living off the system entirely, start demanding parking meters and toll roads in every town in the country. Shut down the public schools. Pay the police and fire department a salary out of your own pocket. Dig your own pipes to the plumbing system. Build your own electric wires to get electricity. Don't go to any kind of publicly funded event ever. Everyone lives off the system to some extent.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Shar Mc C June 16, 2013 at 07:43 am
Where in Southington did you see the bear?
JChar June 16, 2013 at 07:28 pm
Marion Avenue on Saturday