Romney: 47% of Americans are hopeless losers

[ThunderBalls]

You can mark my prediction now: A secret recording from a closed-door Mitt Romney fundraiser, released today by David Corn at Mother Jones, has killed Mitt Romney's campaign for president.

On the tape, Romney explains that his electoral strategy involves writing off nearly half the country as unmoveable Obama voters. As Romney explains, 47 percent of Americans "believe that they are victims." He laments: "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

So what's the upshot? "My job is not to worry about those people," he says. He also notes, describing President Obama's base, "These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax."

This is an utter disaster for Romney.

Romney already has trouble relating to the public and convincing people he cares about them. Now, he's been caught on video saying that nearly half the country consists of hopeless losers.

Romney has been vigorously denying President Obama's claims that his tax plan would raise taxes on the middle class. Now, he's been caught on video suggesting that low- and middle-income Americans are undertaxed.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...-election.html

[StickyGreen]

I don't like him, but what he said is pretty much on point, at least the part about people feeling entitled and wanting free shit.

[L-Pink]

Damn shame that he's right.

.

[ThunderBalls]

I don't like him, but what he said is pretty much on point, at least the part about people feeling entitled and wanting free shit.

Really? You believe 1 out of 2 people just want free stuff from the govt? Must suck to see the world through your eyes.

[StickyGreen]

Really? You believe 1 out of 2 people just want free stuff from the govt? Must suck to see the world through your eyes.

No, I wouldn't go as far as 1 out of 2 people, but there are a lot of worthless leeches in this country.

[baddog]

I have not figured out what people have a problem with. Is it that the percentage is inaccurate or the fact that he understands the obstacle ahead of him.

If it is not 47%, what percent do you think it is?

[Barefootsies]

I don't like him, but what he said is pretty much on point, at least the part about people feeling entitled and wanting free shit.

Agreed.

You have a whole new generation of lazy fuckwads with a poor work ethic who want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Additionally, you can't reprimand or discipline them or you're a "big meanie"... bad boss... slave driver... etc.. You can't call them out on the bullshit excuses and nonsense or you're a bigot, anti-religon/semite/insert race of choice here, fascist or some other label (i.e. worse than Hitler).

Everyone wants to be MTV Cribs, but without the work to get and stay there.

[L-Pink]

"According to US Census Bureau data, 49.1% of the US population lives in a household where at least one member is receiving government benefits:"

.

[SuckOnThis]

"According to US Census Bureau data, 49.1% of the US population lives in a household where at least one member is receiving government benefits:"

.

And what percentage of those are retired on social security?

[L-Pink]

And what percentage of those are retired on social security?

Stop trying to ruin a good stat.

.

[SuckOnThis]

Stop trying to ruin a good stat.

.

Ok.

[StickyGreen]

lol, stupid sheep will never learn...

[beks001]

People don't want to work for anything these days.

This is part of the reason why America is overweight, jobless and struggling financially. I hate to say it but people are damn lazy out there. When you give people options not to work and to be rewarded most are short-minded and think it's "the answer". The day I start living like that is the day I should just give up...

[beemk]

but what he said is pretty much on point, at least the part about people feeling entitled and wanting free shit.

QFT! If someone doesn't pay taxes they don't deserve the right to vote.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

I wonder what percentage of the 47% of the losers lost their jobs due to Bain Capital?

If only they all could be born with a millionaire daddy, they wouldn't feel such a sense of entitlement...

ADG

[Sin_Vraal]

Romney is dead right. Obama has decided to follow the failed social policy of europe.

Didnt anyone notice socialism is gigantic steaming pile of shit? its 1 step away from communism, and we know how that turns out.

all the capitalism is in asia. people know if they dont work, they starve. everyone works. even the bums on the street are working it for handouts or picking up trash for recycling money.

Kill the entitlements, turn america back into the awesome capitalism it once way, and we will own the world once again.

[pornmasta]

ADG

i like poo ?

[Sin_Vraal]

I wonder what percentage of the 47% of the losers lost their jobs due to Bain Capital?

If only they all could be born with a millionaire daddy, they wouldn't feel such a sense of entitlement...

ADG

they lost their jobs b/c somewhere they thought that using a hammer to hit nails, was somehow worth 25 dollars an hour.

The economy lost its steam b/c we believe in a 'free market' where the rest of the world like china get to have signifigant trade barriers for us, but sell for free here.

But... thats only b/c of our workers thinking they deserved to live like kings when in fact it is menial labor and should be paid as such.

[Barefootsies]

Kill the entitlements, turn america back into the awesome capitalism it once way, and we will own the world once again.

Not so fast sparky.

The 'big evil government' saved 2 of the 3 U.S. automakers, and bailed out Wall Street. This does not even get into the farmers, and oil subsidies. The gross defense budget, which is really just propping up defense contractors, and alike.

If you're going to talk about government hand outs, and entitlements, it need to include the corporate welfare that has been going on. I do not think there is a total that adds up the bail outs + annual corporate welfare + defense in a nice easy pie graph compared to social programs.

My point is, there is way too much government "hand outs" across the board. Both social and corporate.

[Shotsie]

they lost their jobs b/c somewhere they thought that using a hammer to hit nails, was somehow worth 25 dollars an hour.

The economy lost its steam b/c we believe in a 'free market' where the rest of the world like china get to have signifigant trade barriers for us, but sell for free here.

But... thats only b/c of our workers thinking they deserved to live like kings when in fact it is menial labor and should be paid as such.

[SuckOnThis]

Romney is dead right. Obama has decided to follow the failed social policy of europe.

Didnt anyone notice socialism is gigantic steaming pile of shit? its 1 step away from communism, and we know how that turns out.

all the capitalism is in asia. people know if they dont work, they starve. everyone works. even the bums on the street are working it for handouts or picking up trash for recycling money.

Kill the entitlements, turn america back into the awesome capitalism it once way, and we will own the world once again.

Learn what socialism is, there isnt a true socialist country on the planet.

People like you hate their fucking lives so bad the only comfort you get is to constantly think everyone is getting ahead of you because of food stamps.

[Barefootsies]

they lost their jobs b/c somewhere they thought that using a hammer to hit nails, was somehow worth 25 dollars an hour.

The economy lost its steam b/c we believe in a 'free market' where the rest of the world like china get to have signifigant trade barriers for us, but sell for free here.

But... thats only b/c of our workers thinking they deserved to live like kings when in fact it is menial labor and should be paid as such.

Agreed. There is a level of laziness/entitlement that seems to have infected the U.S. work force.

Additionally, the trade/tariff/tax policies need to be seriously overhauled. Other counties impose heavy grief on imported U.S. goods, where by contrast, we do not respond in kind.

[Redrob]

I believe that those who are not on social security, workfare or unemployment and living entirely on welfare is less than 4%. (3.8% in 2005)

Don't buy into Mitt's propaganda and lies.

Link to Wikipedia Article on Welfare Dependency.

[Barefootsies]

People like you hate their fucking lives so bad the only comfort you get is to constantly think everyone is getting ahead of you because of food stamps.

[theking]

they lost their jobs b/c somewhere they thought that using a hammer to hit nails, was somehow worth 25 dollars an hour.

The economy lost its steam b/c we believe in a 'free market' where the rest of the world like china get to have signifigant trade barriers for us, but sell for free here.

But... thats only b/c of our workers thinking they deserved to live like kings when in fact it is menial labor and should be paid as such.

The "trades"...carpenter...heavy equipment operators...plumbers...electricians...etc...etc... is skilled labor...not menial labor and many of the trades require a long learning curve/internship.

[Mutt]

the number isn't that high but he definitely has a point, a point you just can't make though and win the presidency. people say they want honesty but not when the honesty says anything bad about them.

politically it has to be one of the stupidest gaffes ever made by a presidential candidate.

i agree with him, turning the USA into a Canadian/Euro nanny state is a sad thing.

And if I were a strong conservative Republican in the US i wouldn't be blaming the Democrats and the public at large, look inward at the joke you allowed your party to become.

[baddog]

politically it has to be one of the stupidest gaffes ever made by a presidential candidate.

Nah, the Palin decision by McCain easily trumps that one.

[jimmy-3-way]

I wonder what percentage of the 47% of the losers lost their jobs due to Bain Capital?

Adapt or die.

[baddog]

I supposed buggy whip makers bitched about their presidential hopefuls as well.

[jimmy-3-way]

the number isn't that high but he definitely has a point, a point you just can't make though and win the presidency. people say they want honesty but not when the honesty says anything bad about them.

politically it has to be one of the stupidest gaffes ever made by a presidential candidate.

i agree with him, turning the USA into a Canadian/Euro nanny state is a sad thing.

And if I were a strong conservative Republican in the US i wouldn't be blaming the Democrats and the public at large, look inward at the joke you allowed your party to become.

The real bitch of it is, when Romney was making that speech - it was really the first time we heard him speaking honestly so far.

[jimmy-3-way]

I remember when buggy whip makers bitched about their presidential hopefuls as well.

FTFY, buddy.

[BFT3K]

[2012]

hi, we're fucked. news at 11

[Paul Markham]

I don't like him, but what he said is pretty much on point, at least the part about people feeling entitled and wanting free shit.

Not so fast sparky.

The 'big evil government' saved 2 of the 3 U.S. automakers, and bailed out Wall Street. This does not even get into the farmers, and oil subsidies. The gross defense budget, which is really just propping up defense contractors, and alike.

If you're going to talk about government hand outs, and entitlements, it need to include the corporate welfare that has been going on. I do not think there is a total that adds up the bail outs + annual corporate welfare + defense in a nice easy pie graph compared to social programs.

My point is, there is way too much government "hand outs" across the board. Both social and corporate.

Some of you are smug bastards with little clue how the world works.

The reason for the Decline of the West is due to Third World imports we all buy. You dream of the days when the West made so much of the consumables. Tapping away on your keyboard produced in the Third World. Where they let people starve to death. Look at the povery figures for the countries you buy good from.

Complaining about Government handouts to the unemployed or corporate makes you not think of the truth. You would rather buy a pair of Nike shoes made in a Third World sweat shop for $100 than a pair built in your home town for $200. And anyone who questions the statement keeping it to Nike shoes is a moron.

Maybe you shouldn't be demanding 50% pay outs and all the crutches you need to keep you sending traffic.

[2012]

40 billion bailout to the banks per month / indefinitely with fake money ... or until we reach "Game Over"

[Paul Markham]

So let's look at ways to solve the problem.

Farming is easy. Pay more for your food so farmers don't need subsidies to compete with cheap imports. Also throw out all the illegal immigrants working on farms and get Americans to do it. Will cost you more to feed your family, I'm sure that's a small price to pay.

Big Banks. Let them go to the wall like they did in the 30s and have WW3 to get out of the problem. Look at history to see the point of that. Also how many here were helping pump the bubble buying shares?

The poor. Stop buying imports so more have higher paying jobs. It will mean the end of the consumer society, but small price to pay.

Oil. Pay more at the gas station.

Defence. Sack the soldiers and the people in the arms factories. They can get jobs making keyboards and Nike shoes.

</sarcasm>

Yes there are people who would prefer to live on handouts than go to work for less. Or beat themselves to death looking for jobs that 50 others are looking for. Try applying for a job with your CV and see how many get a reply or interview.

Yes they could all become porn affiliates. How's that going for you?

The US needs a President with real ideas to resolve the real situation. Too many have little to no chance of getting a job. Americans will not work to live at the same level of Mexicans. On the other hand my Brother in Law and wife from Czech and Poland, live and work in England while English people can't find a job. Go figure.

Automation has removed jobs by millions. Education isn't good enough for many to get a job. we have a culture that has developed because of these factors. Factors Romney profits from.

Solution?

The human body and mind was designed over 100,000s of years to work. It has to work to function. Therefore people should be found work. Maybe not a real job, a job that involves them getting out and doing something every day. Jobs in social projects. Caring for the elderly, young, disabled, etc. Looking after and building the community around them.

Relying on Romney for the solution is like relying on a bank robber to stop crime. He's in the business of reducing costs on companies. The biggest cost is a workforce in the West.

The only solution, if there is one, will come from Governments led by men who don't have to kowtow to big business and yet not Communist or any other form of big government. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal was a solution for the 30s, WW2 made it easier. What is the New Deal for the 21st Century?

Not a man who will export jobs and throw people on the scrap heap. That much I do know, the solution I don't.

[v4 media]

"According to US Census Bureau data, 49.1% of the US population lives in a household where at least one member is receiving government benefits:"

.

What % of that is military.

[DamageX]

I think he has too high an opinion of Americans. Come on, only 47%?

[StickyGreen]

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -Thomas Jefferson

[SuckOnThis]

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson never said this quote, it was made up by right wing liars. Nice try though.

[KillerK]

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -Thomas Jefferson

90% of people who post of gfy do not believe in that statement.

[Paul Markham]

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -Thomas Jefferson

Democracy will cease to exist when someone comes up with a false final solution.

Look around the World and back in history, Hitler is a prime example. He came to power in Germany ravished by the Great Depression and a population who felt hard done by. He rode on the wave of support for his solution, which was to throw money at the problem and create jobs. While uniting the people against a common enemy they could blame for their downfall.

He didn't need to disarm the citizens, he used the to oppress others.

Hate is a powerful weapon. Combined with fear, it's a very powerful weapon.

[bronco67]

This has blown up in the news. It's really fun listening to the republican spin doctors try to put a good spin on this. Soledad O Brien is destroying Bay Buchanon on CNN right now. I'm loving this shit -- thank you Mitt Romney.

[MaDalton]

i agree with him, turning the USA into a Canadian/Euro nanny state is a sad thing.

when was the last time you lived in Europe or Canada?

maybe you could point me to that nanny state you're speaking of and i can move there and finally stop working

[CamTraffic]

Agreed.

You have a whole new generation of lazy fuckwads with a poor work ethic who want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Additionally, you can't reprimand or discipline them or you're a "big meanie"... bad boss... slave driver... etc.. You can't call them out on the bullshit excuses and nonsense or you're a bigot, anti-religon/semite/insert race of choice here, fascist or some other label (i.e. worse than Hitler).

Everyone wants to be MTV Cribs, but without the work to get and stay there.

[The Porn Nerd]

Fuck the rich.
Fuck the poor.
Fuck everyone in the middle, too.

That about right?

[spazlabz]

I wrote out a long reply but it would be wasted here so I will paraphrase it.

Ever since Carter there has been a relentless campaign against the poor in this country. The problem has been exaggerated and exploited so that working class Americans are told that the poor have it easy because of all the money being thrown at them by liberals. 'Regular' Americans eye the poor with suspicion and a fucked up belief that if the poor applied themselves and were willing to work instead of getting 'handouts' they would not need government assistance, everyone would have jobs, taxes would drop to a fraction of what they are now and every house would have a rainbow over their kitchen sink shitting golden coins. It is a complete exaggeration at best and a total lie at worst.

There have been abuses in the past... no doubt about that and there continue to be abuses but huge generalizations about 47% of the population ONLY serves to divide this country even more when what we really need is some kind of unification.

edit: what makes you think that was a leak to Mother Jones? It sounds like something Romney would embrace and even use in a campaign speech... seems he is just using the 'liberal media' to his own advantage to me

[BlackCrayon]

Agreed.

You have a whole new generation of lazy fuckwads with a poor work ethic who want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Additionally, you can't reprimand or discipline them or you're a "big meanie"... bad boss... slave driver... etc.. You can't call them out on the bullshit excuses and nonsense or you're a bigot, anti-religon/semite/insert race of choice here, fascist or some other label (i.e. worse than Hitler).

Everyone wants to be MTV Cribs, but without the work to get and stay there.

the more success seems unobtainable the lazier people will get.

[BlackCrayon]

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." -Thomas Jefferson

Putting the Founders to Work
When widely syndicated columnist Cal Thomas posted a commentary on his website (1/15/09) opposing federal bailouts, he cited quotes from Thomas Jefferson to bolster his argument:

?The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not?;

It is incumbent on every generation to pay off its own debts as it goes. A principle, which, if acted on would save us one-half of the wars of the world?;

?I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them?; and,

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.


Thomas described these quotes as ?ancient wisdom,? which, he said, ?is almost always better than what people come up with today. Consider that it became ancient because it was wise.?

But consulting The Works of Thomas Jefferson available in full at the Online Liberty Library, as well as the Library of Congress? online Jefferson site, Ed Darrel of Millard Fillmore?s Bathtub (2/1/09) could find no evidence authenticating any of the quotes. [See correction below.] As Darrel, whose website targets historical falsehood, observed, ?Jefferson seem[ed] oddly prescient in these quotes, and, also oddly, rather endorsing the views of the right wing.?

None of the quotes could be authenticated on the Jefferson Library website (www.monticello.org) either, which includes the first and the last quotes in Thomas? column in its list of frequently cited ?Spurious Quotations.?

CORRECTION: Variants of two of the four quotes offered by Cal Thomas have been found in the Jefferson Cyclopedia database at the University of Virginia: The second quote appears with slight wording variations, and the third quote is a close paraphrase of an actual Jefferson quote. The first and fourth quotes can still not be verified.

[Paul Markham]

when was the last time you lived in Europe or Canada?

maybe you could point me to that nanny state you're speaking of and i can move there and finally stop working

I live in it.

What none of these guys can't come up with is a solution to the problems.